Composer-Conductor Sung Jin Hong is the artistic director of New York City’s One World Symphony. The New York Times described Hong’s From The Alchemist (inspired by Paulo Coelho’s novel) as transforming “a novel to a lush Mahlerian sound.” Mr. Hong’s upcoming composition commissions include Eyes Wide Shut (inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s final film), a piano concerto, and Harlem Fanfare for Harlem Sound Project. Recent commissioned and performed symphonic works include a symphonic poem The Architect (2012) for Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, Eye of the Storm (2010–2011) and Sidewalk Sketches (2010). His compositions have been performed at the New York International Fringe Festival, Florence Gould Hall, 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.

“Ashley Becker, the soprano who sang Jenufa, brought a lovely, fully supported sound and thoughtful, nuanced phrasing to the role” (The New York Times). Young Soprano Ashley Becker recently sang the title role in Janáček’s Jenufa with Opera Slavica to acclaim and excerpts from Un Ballo in Maschera (Amelia) at the Liederkranz Club with the Martina Arroyo Foundation Role Preparation Class. Other recent performances to Ms. Becker’s credit include excerpts from Otello (Desdemona) and Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio San) with One World Symphony, Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito with New York Lyric Opera Theatre (June 2012), and a tour of Quebec with the Montreal West Operatic Society, singing Angelina in Trial by Jury (Gilbert & Sullivan). Ms. Becker has performed as a soloist 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, selected 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. Additional upcoming performances include a performance of Rachmaninoff’s Francesca da Rimini, as Francesa, as well as recital performances of Rachmaninoff songs with the Russian Opera Workshop in Philadelphia, PA.

Soprano Heather Green is a dynamic and versatile performer who is active in both opera, and new, experimental works. Critics have described her as “attractive and well-voiced,” and a “soaring soprano,” whose “powerhouse vocals cut through... and hit us right in our hearts.” Career highlights include participation in the 2011 New York City Opera VOX Showcase, as a soloist in Three Weeks, and her creation of the role of Bitia in the full production of Yoav Gal’s Mosheh, which was chosen by The New York Times as one of the most exciting operas of the year. Of Ms. Green’s portrayal, Times critic Allan Kozinn wrote, “Ms. Green’s searing, powerful performance was spellbinding.” She is very pleased to be returning to One World Symphony, after making her debut as a soloist in Moonlight.

Soprano Sonya Headlam is excited to join One World Symphony for the 2012–2013 Season. She has performed with One World Symphony on numerous occasions since 2006, including the critically-acclaimed Nordic Lights, Berlioz's Les Nuits Les Nuits d’Été, Creation vs. Evolution and Moonlight programs. Most recently, Ms. Headlam performed in One World Symphony’s Ecstasy program at Florence Gould Hall where she sang songs by Amy Beach and Henri Duparc orchestrated by Sung Jin Hong. Ms. Headlam has been a featured artist with various groups locally, across the country, and internationally such as the Cuban Philharmonic, the Greenwich Choral Society, Bronx Orchestra, the Master Singers of Milwaukee, and DCINY with whom she made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2010. Equally comfortable on the operatic stage, she has worked with regional opera companies such as the Bronx Opera, Delphi Opera, and Fargo-Morehead Opera. An avid recitalist, she was recently featured on the Trinity Church's Concerts at One series, which was webcast live from downtown Manhattan. In early 2012, she began to teach herself how to play the ukulele. She has since had several exciting opportunities to perform international folk music with her uke on stages in New York City as well as all over Japan. Ms. Headlam is currently working on recording her debut album of art songs, to be released in 2013.

Brooklyn native Douglas Jabara recently performed the roles of Malatesta in Don Pasquale with The Taconic Opera and the Police Chief in the world premiere of Evan Mack’s Angel of the Amazon with Encompass New Opera Theatre at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. A live CD recording of the work has been released on the Albany Record Label. With One World Symphony, Mr. Jabara has performed John Craven’s To My Child (world premiere), Almaviva in Le nozze di figaro, Valentin in Faust, Escamillo in Carmen, Emile in South Pacific at The Town Hall, and John Lennon’s Imagine. Recent musical theater roles include the Baker in Into the Woods with Broadway veteran Rachel York and Jud in Oklahoma! both with Reagle Music Theater in Boston. He also enjoys teaching vocal technique and maintains a private voice studio here in Manhattan. His clients have appeared on Broadway in Mary Poppins, A Little Night Music, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Billy Elliot, and A Christmas Carol.

Hongkyung Kim made her debut with One World Symphony performing as a featured soloist in Return of the Mad Women. Ms. Kim performed her debut role as Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore) with Vocal Productions NYC 2012, 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 an “expressive soprano” when she appeared in Chopin & Schumann 200th celebration concert at Carnegie Hall. The Newark, NJ Star-Ledger mentioned her as “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 the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program. Ms. Kim has performed recitals in Boston and New Jersey and sung internationally with orchestras such as Glinka Opera Orchestra of Russia. She appeared in opera scenes by Britten, Haydn, Monteverdi, Mozart, Puccini, Purcell, and more. She recently had master classes with conductor Gregory Buchalter and tenor Steven Tharp. Ms. Kim achieved a double Masters degree in voice performance and pedagogy from NEC in Boston. She is currently enrolled in the DMA program at Rutgers.

Praised for “elegant, power-packed mezzo” and “lustrous tone,” Gulnara Mitzanova was educated and trained in Moscow Conservatory, the Juilliard School, and Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadephia on postgraduate program. Most recently she performed Eboli in Don Carlo and Zita in Gianni Schicchi. She was a featured artist with One World Symphony as Dalila in Samson et Dalia, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, and as Maurya in Riders to the Sea, which The New York Times praised her: “a moving performance.” She recently performed the complete cantata Ich habe genug by J. S. Bach in Baroque[n] Hearts and the title role of One World Symphony’s season opener Carmen. Her other roles include Laura and La Cieca (La Gioconda), Suzuki (Madama Butterfly), Olga (Eugene Onegin), and Rosina among others. Ms Mitzanova recently returned from Mexico, where she was featured as a solo recitalist at the FAOT International Festival, in line with Jessye Norman and Frederica von Stade, and earning acclaim. As an oratorio soloist and a recitalist, she also has performed in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, and Bard International Music Festival. Her competition successes include New York Oratorio Solo Competition, Parkinson Bel Canto Competition, and the Albanese-Puccini Foundation. Ms Mitzanova is also a professional pianist and a choral conductor, and maintains an active voice studio in NYC.

Soprano Sara Paar is an acclaimed and spirited performer of contemporary classical music, opera, vocal dance, and music theater. Hailed as “astonishing,” Ms. Paar is a favorite with composers throughout the United States. She is thrilled to be back with the One World Symphony, where she has performed numerous roles and symphonic works, including the Fox in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, the soprano solo in a new orchestral arrangement of Schumann’s Mondnacht by Sung Jin Hong, and Nora in Vaughan Williams’s Riders to the Sea. Other recent performances of new works include Abby in the world premiere of Brian Schober’s opera Dance of the Stones with NeXus Arts, Eurydice in Five Words in a Line’s Orfeo, Eurydice, and the Serpent (a satire of the Orpheus story), and Sadie in Brad Kemp and Patrick Keppel’s Triangle, a new music theater piece commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Ms. Paar is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in performance from The Graduate Center, City University of New York, serves on the music faculty of Kingsborough Community College, CUNY, and is a teacher of singing for the Grammy award-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus.

Eva Sun, a recent graduate of Bard College, having received her Bachelor’s in Vocal and Piano Performance, made her debut with One World Symphony performing as Suzuki and Neris in Return of the Mad Women. She recently performed as Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in Baroque[n] Hearts and Berlioz’s La Mort d’Ophélie in Shakespeare Scandals. 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, May 19, 2013
Holy Apostles Church
Manhattan

Monday, May 20, 2013
Holy Apostles Church
Manhattan