Composer-Conductor Sung Jin Hong is the artistic director of One World Symphony. The New York Times described Hong’s From The Alchemist as transforming “a novel to a lush Mahlerian sound.” Mr. Hong’s upcoming composition commissions include a piano concerto for Lloyd Arriola and the symphonic poem The Architect for Ramakrishna-Vivekananda. His recent commissioned and performed symphonic works include Eye of the Storm (2010–2011) and Sidewalk Sketches (2010). His compositions have been performed at the New York International Fringe Festival, the central New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, Bard College, and Palai Corbelli in Vienna, Austria. Mr. Hong’s guest conducting engagements include Lyrique-en-mer in France, Stadt Wien Konservatorium in Vienna, Royal Northern Conservatory in Manchester, Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Ballet, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes, Redlands University, Bradley University, Western Illinois University, Great Music for a Great City. Mr. Hong had the honor of being chosen by Kurt Masur to participate in a series of masterclasses and conduct in a concert with Manhattan School of Music Symphony. He made his international recording debut as a conductor with classical music’s largest record label, Naxos.

Soprano Courtenay Symonds is thrilled to be back with One World Symphony as Queen of the Night. She has been hailed by the Boston Globe as “lively and capable” and by Opera Today as “scoring in both comedy and voice” for her portrayal of Arminda in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera. With One World Symphony, she has performed as Euridice in its critically acclaimed all-Gluck program, Niece 2 in Peter Grimes, Elettra in Idomeneo, and Kaiutar by Sibelius. She is a member of vocal chamber music ensemble enCANTA Collective. She has been heard internationally with Austria’s Franz-Schubert-Institut, Les Nuits Musicales d’Été de Nice, and the Amalfi Coast Music Festival. An avid fan of modern American repertoire, Ms. Symonds has performed such roles as Mag in Richard Wargo’s Ballymore: Winners, the Controller in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, Anne in Harold Farberman’s Diamond Street, and Death as a Woman in the New York City premiere of Elodie Lauten’s The Death of Don Juan. Ms. Symonds is a graduate of Westminster Choir College and Boston University. Her upcoming engagement includes performing a world premiere symphonic arrangement of Björk’s Big Time Sensuality with One World Symphony in November.

Soprano Beverly Love is thrilled to rejoin One World Symphony performing Médée in this season’s Mad Women of Opera. She debuted with the company last season as Ellen Orford in highlights from Peter Grimes, appeared as Solveig in selections from Grieg’s Peer Gynt in the Northern Lights program, and sang the role of Alceste in its critically-acclaimed all-Gluck program. Other recent engagements include OperaWorks’ first New York production, in celebration of small; Gertrude in Hansel and Gretel with New York Lyric Opera Theatre; and Elaisa in the North American premiere of Mercadante’s Il giuramento with OperaOggi. She has also appeared frequently with Opera Avanti in varied roles including Cora in Paulus’ The Postman Always Rings Twice, Chrysothemis in Elektra, and the title role in Arabella. Upcoming engagements include performances with Opera Avanti again in 2013. Ms. Love holds degrees in vocal performance from Abilene Christian and Southern Methodist Universities.

Soprano Nanae Soma, a native of Japan, is thrilled to be making her debut with One World Symphony. She is the first singer to receive a scholarship from the Seiji Ozawa Opera Project, for the purpose of studying at the Metropolitan Opera. She performed the role of Fiordiligi in Così Fan Tutte in its production with conductor Seiji Ozawa in Japan. Her roles include, Mimi (La Bohème), Violetta (La Traviata), Cendrillon (Cendrillon), and The First Lady (Die Zauberflöte). As a concert soloist, she performed Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Händel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Dvořák’s Mass in D. She holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in voice from the Tokyo University of the Arts. She received The Ito Scholarship Foundation and Rohm Music Foundation.

Laura Farmer, soprano, is delighted to be performing with One World Symphony again. With One World Symphony, she has performed as Solveig in Peer Gynt, Najade in Ariadne auf Naxos, Cleopatra in Gulio Cesare, and Frasquita in Carmen. She has sung a wide range of roles including Norina (Don Pasquale), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Josephine (HMS Pinafore), Monica (The Medium), Gretel (Hansel & Gretel), Yum Yum (Mikado), and Despina (Così fan Tutte) with companies including Des Moines Metro Opera, Natchez Music Festival, Tulsa Opera, and Liederkranz Opera. Internationally, Ms. Farmer performed Giulietta (I Capuleti e i Montecchi) in a tour of the Czech Republic and Giulia (La Scala di Seta) in Teatro di Pacini (Tuscany). Ms. Farmer was also a finalist in the National Opera Association competition. Following graduation from Yale University, Ms. Farmer appeared as a jazz vocalist with Whim’n Rhythm in a nine-country tour of the Far East; the group was featured at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand and Club Med Bali, as well as on Korean national television and radio.

Lindsey Blackhurst has performed roles in opera, musical theatre, straight theatre, and children’s theatre and is thrilled to be making her debut with One World Symphony. Previous roles include: Königen der Nacht with Tuscia Opera Festival, Madame Herz in Der Schaulspieldirekto, and Amor and Damigella in Incoronazione di’Poppea with NYLOT. She has also performed as Frasquita, Norina, and Zerlina, and Kristy in Christian McLeer’s House with Remarkable Theatre Brigade. Other roles include Echo in Aridane auf Naxos, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte with NYOF, Luisa in The Fantasticks, Lucy in You’re a…Charlie Brown, and Lesley in The House of Yes. Concerts include IVAI, Tel Aviv, Russian Opera of New York, and SOPA at Estes Park, CO. She has earned a MA and EdM at Teachers College at Columbia University and BFA at University of Colorado, Boulder.

Young Soprano Ashley Becker recently sang the title role in Janácek’s Jenufa with Opera Slavica and will join One World Symphony in October 2012 singing excerpts from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly as Cio-Cio San. Ms. Becker has performed with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Choeur Classique de Montreal, and Opera in Concert (Toronto). As an apprentice she has performed with the Seagle Music Colony, Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, Opera New Jersey, the Opera Company of North Carolina, and Shreveport Opera. Additionally, awards to her credit include second place in the Orpheus Music Competition (student), third place in the NE Region MONC Auditions, and first place in the Young Artist Division of the Charles A. Lynam Competition.

Making her debut with One World Symphony, Hongkyung Kim recently made her debut role as Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore) with Vocal ProductionsNYC, and also performed as Despina (Così fan tutte) this summer. She was the second-place winner in the 2011 BA International Vocal Competition. The New York Concert Review described her as “the expressive soprano” when she appeared in Chopin & Schumann 200th celebration concert at Carnegie Hall. The Star-Ledger of Newark, NJ mentioned her as a “silvery soprano” after her performance in the U.S. premiere of Le Pescatrici (Nerina) by Haydn. It was broadcasted live through WWFM The Classical Network in the U.S. She also sang in Italy with Daniel Ferro Vocal Program. Ms. Kim has performed six recitals in Boston and New Jersey and sung with Glinka Opera Orchestra of Russia. She appeared in opera scenes by Britten, Haydn, Monteverdi, Mozart, Puccini, Purcell, and more. She achieved two master’s degrees in voice performance and pedagogy from NEC in Boston. She is currently enrolled ina DMA program at Rutgers.

Making her debut with One World Symphony, Eva Sun is a recent graduate of Bard College, having received her Bachelor’s in Vocal and Piano Performance. She has participated in Bard College master classes both while in school and since graduating. A winner of the 2009 Bard Concerto competition, Ms. Sun has sung with the American Symphony Orchestra and Bard College orchestra. Additionally, she has been invited as a guest singer in this year’s Bard Opera Workshop Production. Some favorite roles include Annio in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito, Kim in Bruce Trinkley’s Opera.com.edy, and Columbina in Carlo Goldoni’s Inquisitive Women. In addition, she played La Frugola and the Abbess in the Lyric Opera Company of New York’s production of Puccini’s Il Trittico. Ms. Sun is currently studying with Ilka LoMonaco in Washington Heights.

Sunday, November 4, 2012
Holy Apostles Church
Manhattan

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