Lindstrom, whose grandfather was a Norwegian immigrant from Stavanger,[1] was born in Alameda, California.
During the time, she took additional voice lessons with Blanche Thebom and sang her first onstage role, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with the Berkeley Opera alongside her father as the Commendatore.
[4] After graduation she moved to New York City, managing to make a living by taking temporary jobs while auditioning for agency and artist programs, which made little success.
[2][5] Lindstrom finally launched her career in 2003 when contacted by Jerome Shannon, then General Director of Mobile Opera, to perform the title role of Turandot.
[5] She came to prominence when she replaced Maria Guleghina as Turandot in November 2009, making her the Metropolitan Opera debut.