This month, 19-year-old guitarist Kristen Capolino, from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., will release her full-length CD, All That I Am. The Romanian musician/singer/songwriter is already a seasoned performer, having played with various bands before deciding to form her own group. Her guitar instructor is Nick Moroch, who has played with David Bowie and is an established studio musician; her vocal coach is Don Lawrence, who has worked with Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger and Keith Caputo of Life Of Agony, among others.

     A few years ago, Kristen and her dad, Keith Capolino, who is also her manager, stood in front of the stage at a Michael Schenker Group show. Schenker recognized Kristen from an enhanced CD/DVD she had sent him and promptly motioned her to join him and his band onstage. Once a guitar was placed in her hands, the spotlight shone on her and both Schenker and the audience went wild. Later this year, the two guitarists will meet again when Kristen opens for Schenker at a Poughkeepsie, N.Y., venue.

InsideCx: How long have you been playing professionally?

KC: I started working on and recording my own songs when I was 13years old. Last year, however, I started playing them out with my own band. I really got serious about my music when I met my first producer at the age of 11. During that time I realized how much I wanted to play for people and to get more serious in improving my playing. Working with an advanced guitar instructor/collaborator, I am greatly enjoying writing new songs and I am learning new techniques of playing guitar. I feel that I have taken a big step. I just want to keep working hard to become a better musician.

InsideCx: Would you like to talk about some of the bands you've played with?

KC: My first band was an R&B band called the Joe Payne Band. I was only 13 years old. My dad wanted me to get experience playing out with bands and being in front of an audience. The first time I met them is a time that I will always remember. They did not know that I was 13, for my dad did not put my age in the ad. Also, being the only girl in the place made it a bit amusing. They started to tease me in a good-natured way. Guy, the saxophonist, then tested my fingers for calluses. Still a bit skeptical, Guy gave me a chance and had me play a few songs with them. After a few songs, I asked what they thought. They said that they weren‘t going to let me go! I was very excited and we ended up playing quite a few gigs together. Now they are some of my greatest friends.     After I played with them, I started going to blues jams and open-mic jams. The first band that I played with at an open-mic jam, at the Hyde Park Brewery, in Hyde Park, New York, was the Upstart Blues Band. The guys have always been very kind to me and are great musicians. I love Pete "Hop," the guitarist. He has excellent phrasing and a great feel. Later I played with another great band, the Copycats-very nice guys and great musicians. I enjoyed playing with them as well. I miss playing with them. I also played with Split Image, who were very kind to me. The keyboardist, Chip, was very nice to invite me to play at a big jam called Monster Jam. I played there for four years. Last year, Chip had my band as the headliner. I recently played with a band called Madd Dog-also very nice. The guitarist, Bill, and I really enjoy dueling together. Over the years, I have been fortunate to play with some great bands and with very nice people."While I love the emotion in the world of guitar, I still can't help but love the technical side of it as well."

InsideCx: The inevitable question: Which guitarists do you admire the most and what is it about each that blows you away?

KC: Michael Schenker is my favorite rock guitarist. I absolutely love his phrasing feel. Because his playing is so melodic, I never grow tired of it. His playing is sarcastic. I always say this when I feel one’s playing is speaking to me, almost as if that musician is saying, "Take that!" He is my greatest inspiration. I love Carlos Santana. His playing is also sarcastic. A few people have told me that my playing is similar to his. I would love to play with him one day. As a matter a fact, our CDs have the same title: “All That I Am”. When I saw this, I felt that we have a deep connection. I feel that I get most of my emotion from Gary Moore, my first inspiration to play the guitar. I have always dreamt of playing with him as well. When I hear him play "Empty Rooms" off the live album “We Want Moore”, I feel tears come to my eyes. Although I ave heardother musicians who are technically better than he is, no one has surpassed the incredible emotion that is in his playing. I remember when I was about 5 years old and my father would play Gary's music videos for me while I ate breakfast. During that time, I was getting my musical roots. Although I had no idea that there were even notes on a guitar, I began to learn Gary's playing.While I love the emotion in the world of guitar, I still can't help but love the technical side of it as well. Steve Vai is definitely an inspiration for me in this area. At the same time, I do feel his emotion through his sarcastic playing.    Finally, John Scofield is my inspiration for my "touch" style of playing. I would really enjoy playing with him and learning from him. His feel is so unique and complicated to reproduce. He can be so gentle, yet so meaningful at the same time.

InsideCx: Do you play other instruments?

KC: I mostly play the guitar, but I really enjoy fooling around with other instruments as well. I have tried the drums, the bass, a little bit of the piano and even the mandolin. I had no idea how to play the mandolin, but I started feeling my way around. I find it so exciting and interesting to try a new instrument. It is the same 12 notes, but in different locations and in different sounds. It’s like a new adventure when I try an instrument that I have never played before.

InsideCx: How long have the members of your current band been with you? Does each member contribute to the songwriting as well?

KC: My band has been with me for a few months now. My bass player, Allan, and my guitarist, Tilman, have been with me since the beginning of the year. My drummer, Eric, has been with me since February. No one contributes to the songwriting.

InsideCx: Would you say that there is, or has been, a common theme to your lyrics?

KC: The things that happen in my life that make a strong impression on me are the theme to my lyrics. Being quite dramatic, I love to write about heartbreak and other tragic events.

InsideCx: What kinds of music do you listen to?

KC: I love to listen to all kinds of music. Although there are a few songs I like, I mostly don't like country music. I mostly listen to hard rock and punk/alternative.

InsideCx: You were born in Romania. How old were you when you came to the U.S., and what did you carry with you, culturally speaking, which may have shaped you as a musician?

KC: Coming to the United States at the age of 2, I don’t remember anything about Romania. I do wonder if anyone in my family was a musician.