Opera may not be her first love, but it was a stunning performance of Puccini鈥檚 O Mia Babbino Caro that earned a 91原创 singer first place in last year鈥檚 91原创 Has Talent competition.

And it has been opening doors for her ever since.

As the winner of the third annual LHT contest, held last spring, 30-year-old Kari Culjat earned a $2,500 cash prize as well as studio time to record her music.

And, over the past months, the 91原创 woman has been practising several new pieces for a CD.

It鈥檚 been a nice change of pace, she said.

鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed learning new songs,鈥� said Culjat, whose prize-winning voice is entirely untrained.

Although she listens to and sings a range of musical styles, it is opera that comes most naturally to her.

鈥淥pera kind of chose me.

鈥淚 actually sing everything,鈥� she said.

Truthfully  she鈥檚 not even a huge fan of the style. But, at nine, she saw Phantom of the Opera and 鈥渇ell in love with those specific songs.鈥�

鈥淢y mom is a huge opera fan. I grew up listening to it.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 listen to opera for enjoyment 鈥� only when I鈥檓 learning a song,鈥� she said.

Culjat has never taken a singing lesson, but it鈥檚 something she would like to do one day 鈥� once her life settles down a bit.

As a working mother of two girls 鈥� Katie, 10 and Emily, 14 鈥� Culjat鈥檚 priorities steered her away from the music she loved to perform when she was younger.

鈥淚 had given up on singing altogether. I got married and had a daughter at 18,鈥� she said.

When Culjat was 24, her sister passed away, leaving behind a daughter, who the singer then adopted.

With two children to raise, she had all but given up on music.

鈥淚 always loved singing. I was very musical in high school,鈥� said Culjat.

In fact, it was a few of Culjat鈥檚 co-workers at the 91原创 Milestones restaurant who, remembering her musical theatre performances at H.D. Stafford, encouraged her to audition for the competition.

鈥淚 had never heard of it before I auditioned,鈥� she said.

This year, she will return as a guest performer during the finals competition, accompanied by her daughter Emily on piano.

Winning the talent competition refocused  Culjat on her music, she said. And it has given her  opportunities she otherwise wouldn鈥檛 have had.

She was invited to perform at a fundraiser for  the 91原创 Lodge and, more recently, at the City of 91原创鈥檚 volunteer appreciation evening.

鈥淚t seems like every time I sing at an event, another (invitation) comes along.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 been very exciting for me,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 love doing the charity work, I鈥檓 not interested in making a lot of money.鈥�

Beyond performing locally and finishing her CD, Culjat hasn鈥檛 decided how actively to pursue a music career.

鈥淢y daughters are obviously my number one priority,鈥� she said.

At the same time, she knows she needs to set an example and give her girls the opportunity to pursue their own goals.

鈥淢usic is a big part of our lives.

鈥淚 realize how (it feels) to give up on the things you love and your dreams and I don鈥檛 want my daughters to do that.鈥�

鈥⑩赌⑩赌�

The fourth annual 91原创 Has Talent competition semi-finals will be held at Christian Life Assembly, 21277 56 Ave., on Saturday, March 29. The finals will take place on April 12. Both events begin at 6 p.m.

For tickets and other information, visit langleyhastalent.com.