Meet the New Faces of Utah Opera

Soprano  

Schools: Bachelor of Music from Sookmyung Women’s University, Master of Music from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Texas at Austin  

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea 

Why did you become an opera singer? 

I first fell in love with opera during my undergraduate years when I was cast as Papagena in The Magic Flute. Although it wasn’t a large role, it was incredibly memorable. I had to transform into an old woman on stage before revealing Papagena’s true character, and she was one of the most lively, playful, and audience-grabbing characters in the entire opera. Playing that role showed me that opera is so much more than singing beautiful music. It is about becoming someone else, telling a story, and creating a connection with the audience. I was completely captivated by that experience, and it made me realize that opera was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. Since then, I have continued to study opera and pursue every opportunity to perform. The stage is where I feel most alive, and there is nothing more rewarding to me than bringing a character to life and sharing that experience with an audience. That feeling is what continues to motivate me to grow as an opera singer 

Mezzo-soprano, Sponsored by Charles Boynton  

Schools: Bachelor of Music from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Music from Shepherd School of Music at Rice University  

Hometown: Durham, North Carolina 

Why did you become an opera singer? 

I have always loved to play pretend, and I have always loved classical music. My beloved grandma, who was my piano teacher for over 10 years, knew this long before I did. She urged me to try out singing, and as it turns out, she was on to something. In my undergraduate studies, I tried to convince myself I belonged in just about every other field, from environmental science to English, but nothing ever felt quite right. There was no feeling like stepping onto a stage, pouring my heart out, and becoming part of someone else’s story for a few hours. 

Opera lets me combine everything I have always loved: imagination, storytelling, and music. It challenges me, humbles me, and constantly reminds me why I fell in love with performing in the first place. It is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to move people through this art form. If I can make someone laugh, cry, or leave the theater feeling something they did not expect, then I know I have done exactly what I was meant to do. 

Why did you want to become a Utah Opera Resident Artist? 

We are so lucky to have so many incredible resident artist programs in this country, but Utah Opera immediately stood out to me because of its people. Every conversation I have had with colleagues and alumni has pointed to the same thing: a community that is genuinely kind, passionate, and invested in one another’s success. That is exactly the kind of environment where I know I will do my best work. 

Tenor, Sponsored by Drew Browning  

Schools: Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music, Master of Music from Shepherd School of Music at Rice University  

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico 

Why did you become an opera singer? 

I have always had a fondness for classical music ever since I started taking legitimate voice lessons. But what I love even more is getting to share these timeless stories with—and include—so many different generations of people (younger and older) in them. 

Why did you want to become a Utah Opera Resident Artist? 

I think exposing the next generation of young singers, performers, and musicians, even if they don’t know what they want to be yet, is invaluable. Utah Opera’s education programs take opera into places where it might never have been if they didn’t exist. Additionally, getting to hone my own craft and performing skills in such a high caliber program with the most amazing faculty is something that will shape my own future in ways I will be noticing for years to come. 

Baritone  

Schools: Bachelor of Music from Western Washington University, Master of Voice and Opera from Northwestern University  

Hometown: Sun Valley, Idaho 

Why did you become an opera singer? 

Singing was not my original plan. As a high schooler, I was set on flying airplanes and joining the Air Force like my late father. A few months before I signed with the Air Force Academy, I discovered I had a heart condition that required a pacemaker. That took flying and the Air Force off the table. That summer, as I recovered from the heart surgery, my best friend asked me to join him at the Sun Valley Music Festival Opera Institute. It was here where I realized opera gave me the same feeling as flying. I haven’t looked back since. 

Why did you want to become a Utah Opera Resident Artist? 

What I love about Utah Opera is their unwavering commitment to community. While opera is uniquely special for the singing, it is the collection of people who have fostered it for the past several centuries that make it a monolith in human culture. To put on an opera requires a village, and Utah Opera is keenly aware of this. From the singer, to the stage crew, to the audience member; Utah Opera makes it clear that each member of this process is important. This is what has made me most excited to be a Utah Opera Resident Artist! 

Piano  

Schools: Bachelor of Music from Haute École de Musique de Lausanne, Master of Music and Artist Diploma from University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music 

Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland 

What made you want to become an opera pianist? 

Playing the piano has always been one of my greatest passions. From the first note I played on my grandfather’s piano to this day, making music has always brought me the same exhilarating sense of joy and the freedom to express my emotions. 

I fell in love with opera as a child when I discovered the 1984 film adaptation of Carmen, directed by Francesco Rosi, on VHS. From that moment on, my favorite birthday tradition was receiving tickets to an opera performance each year. Later, during my undergraduate studies, I was fortunate to be surrounded by talented, dear friends who were opera singers. I learned and grew so much as a pianist and artist by collaborating together, and it solidified my aspiration to pursue a career as an opera pianist.