TEALA KRAPFL STAFF WRITER
As kids, we’re asked what we want to be when we grow up. And as adults, we seldom become the marine biologists, princesses, and super heroes we once wanted to be; but sometimes people, like Josh Kuennen, are willing to take a risk and follow their dreams.
Kuennen, who graduated from Wartburg last May with a degree in business management, has his sights set on music. The former Wartburg Choir and Ritterchor member has auditioned for the hit Fox television show Glee.
The weekly show—part comedy, part drama—is centered on a high school glee club, with each episode running like its own mini-musical.
“It seems like a lot of the characters [on Glee] are inspired by music,” Kuennen said. “I have found that to be true about myself.”
Kuennen is one of more than 2,700 “Gleeks” who have posted audition videos on Glee’s MySpace audition page.
“I get on MySpace frequently,” Kuennen said. He is eagerly awaiting word back from the television show’s head honchos.
If he is chosen to move on in the audition process, Kuennen will travel to Los Angeles to sing for the show’s creators.
“I’m kind of nervous about it,” he said, but added, “You’ve always got to hope for the best.”
After graduating from Wartburg, Kuennen was offered a management position at a comedy club in Denver, Colo. However, Kuennen declined, deciding to focus on music.
Kuennen is currently part of a pop-punk band called Beneath the Palace and is also in the talks of starting another band.
Kuennen, who has been interested in pursuing music since he was a teenager, considered majoring in music at Wartburg.
“But my brother said I needed to find something to fall back on,” Kuennen said.
For now, Kuennen has decided to see where the musical route takes him over the next couple of years before settling into a career more closely related to his business management degree.
Whatever way things play out, Kuennen knows music will be a part of his life.
“I know I’ll definitely be singing everyday,” he said. “I just want music to be around throughout my life.”
Kuennen believes that pursuing his passion and trying to get his name out into the music world is well worth the risk.
“When you’re younger you’re told you can be whatever you want to be. You’ve got to do what makes you happy,” said Kuennen.