Misoon Ghim,Mezzo-Soprano
Adjunct Professor, Saint Joseph’s University
Affiliate Artist, Haverford College
Alto Section Leader BMPC
Temple University DMA 10’
The Curtis Institute of Music & The Juilliard School MM ‘95 & ‘93
The Should National University ‘90
BIO: An Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Misoon Ghim has graced prestigious stages across the globe, garnering acclaim for her “dramatic sensitivity” (NY Post) and “first rate” performances (The New York Times). Her velvety, expressively luscious voice and commanding stage presence have dazzled audiences at the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Lotte Concert Hall, United National Assembly Hall, and other notable venues. Her repertoire inlucdes performances on operatic stages, such as New York City Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly; Western Opera Theater National Tour, where shed played Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro; Opera Delaware, where she played Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia; and the Daegu International Opera Festival, where she played Amneris in Aida. Ghim’s versatility is also evident in her performances as an alto soloist in Oratorio and orchestral works, including Elijah under the baton of Maestro Wolfgang Sawallisch, Mahler’s 2nd Symphony and Rückert Lieder conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody, Franck’s The Beatitudes, Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s St.Matthew’s Passion, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. An esteemed educator, Ms. Ghim serves on the faculty of Saint Joseph’s University and Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges. Whether performing Bach or Mahler, Ghim summons a depth of artistry and a richness of tone that have made her a fixture of stages across the globe. A world-class talent in a world-class league of her own, mezzo-soprano Misoon Ghim is an operatic tour de force.
Evening Hymn
Baroque Vocal Music
2020 Best Research Paper Award by KAUPA
2021 Recital Mahler and Strauss, soprano Misoon Ghim, piano Jeffrey Brillhart at BMPC:
Rossini Non più mesta (2001) Misoon Ghim & Danielle Orlando
RESUME
EDUCATION
Temple University
DMA Voice Performance (2010)
The Curtis Institute of Music
MM in Opera (1995)
The Juilliard School
MM in Voice Performance (1993)
The Seoul National University
BM Voice Performance (1990)
SPECIAL TRAINING
Merola Summer Program (1995)
Western Opera Theater National Tour (1995)
TEACHING
Saint Joseph’s University:
Adjunct Professor of Voice (2017-current)
Haverford College
Affiliate Artist (2017- current)
Curtis Summerfest
Head Voice Teacher (2013-2014)
Temple University
Voice Instructor (2002-2005)
HISTORY OF COLLABORATION WITH CO-WORKERS AND FACULTY MEMBERS
Collaboration with Lyric Fest: Suzanne DuPlantis and Laura Ward, Co-founders and Artistic Directors
Lyric Fest The Road Less Traveled (Collaboration with Lyric Fest & Singing City) 2019
Lyric Fest Songs of the World 2017
Lyric Fest A Brave Heart Is A Powerful Weapon 2005
Collaboration with Curtis Summerfest: David Ludwig, Director
Faculty Recital: Zwei Gesänge by Brahms 2014
Faculty Recital: Chansons Madécasses by Ravel 2013
Collaboration with Professors of Haverford College: Curt Caccioppo, Thomas Lloyd, Nathan Zullinger, Heidi Jacob
Haverford College Concert Artists Series presents Curt Cacioppo and friends in a GALA OF WORLD PREMIERES 2017
Premiere GALA at The Greene Space, NYC
The Greene Space, NYC 2018
AVA GALA Philadelphia Premiere 2018
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (Jeffrey Brillhart, Conductor) presents Thomas Lloyd’s Bonhoeffer 2019
Bucks County Choral Society, Thomas Lloyd, cond. The Beatitude by Frank, César 2019
Opera Rainbows in the Air, Heidi Jabob ( Composer and Conductor) In progress
Haverford College Chorale Concert, Ulysses Kay Choral Triptych Alto solo 2021
Collaboration with Dolce Suono: Mimi Stillman 2014 &2015
Collaboration with BMPC Virtual Voice Recital: Jeffrey Brillhart, piano 2021
Collaboration with Korea Music Foundation: Soon Hee Lee
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City Debut Recital with Amy Yang 2013
Collaboration with Korean American University Professors Association:
Virtual Concert: 2020
Saint Joseph’s University faculty recital with Elizabeth Morgan, piano at Barnes Museum
Program of Clara Schumann Sechs Lieder Op. 13, Robert Schumann Liederkreis, op.39 2023
PERFORMANCE
A) Opera
Cosi fan tutte (Dorabella) Concert Opera Philadelphia (2016)
Aida (Amneris) Daegu International Opera Festival in South Korea (2011)
Il barbiere di Siviglia (Rosina) Opera Delaware (2010)
Butterfly (Suzuki) The Baltimore Opera Company (2008)
Butterfly (Suzuki) Opera Delaware (2008)
Butterfly (Suzuki) New York City Opera (2007)
Il viaggio a Reims (Marchise Melibea Cover) New York City Opera (2006)
Ariane et Barbe Bleue (Selysette Cover) New York City Opera (2005)
Mignon (Frederick Cover) Opera Orchestra of New York (2005)
La rondine (Suzy Cover) New York City Opera (2004)
Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Soraya Cover) New York City Opera (2004)
Butterfly (Suzuki) Madison Opera (2003)
Die Zauberflöte (The Third Lady) Seattle Opera (1999)
Butterfly (Suzuki) Virginia Opera (1997)
Butterfly (Suzuki) Central City Opera (1997)
Butterfly (Suzuki) Opera Company of Philadelphia (1996)
Le Nozze di Figaro (Cherubino) Western Opera Theater National Tour (1995)
Faust (Siebel Cover) Opera Company of Philadelphia (1995)
B) Oratorio and Other Concerts
Seoul Motet Choir J.S. Bach’s Matthew Passion, Alto Solist (2023)R
Singing City & The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Stephen Paulus' To Be Certain of the Dawn (2023)
BMPC & The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Bach, J.S. St. Mark’s Passion (2019)
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Bonhoeffer by Thomas Lloyd (2019)
Bucks County Choral Society & Symphony in C César Franck The Beatitudes (2019)
Peru National Symphony Orchestra Hector Berlioz Les nuits d'été (2016)
Asian Arts and Concert Gustav Mahler Symphony no. 2 (Alto solo) (2007)
The Philadelphia Orchestra Mendelssohn’s Elijah (Alto II solo), Cond. Wolfgang Sawallisch (1999)
The KBS Symphony Orchestra : Rossini Arias. Cond. Yutaka Sado (1998)
New Choral Society Beethoven's Mass in C and Choral Fantasy (1998)
Princeton Symphony Orchestra Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (1997)
The Michigan Chamber Orchestra Rossini’s Stabat Mater (1996)
Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra: Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody (1995)
Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra (1994): Händel’s Messiah (1994)
Pacific Music Festival Orchestra Mahler’s Rückert Lieder. Cond. Christoph Eschenbach (1992)
The Juilliard Symphony Mozart’s Regina coeli, in C Major, K.276 (K.321b) Mozart’s Missa solemnis in C Major, K.337. Cond. Joseph Flummerfelt (1991)
C) Recital
Solo Recital at Sejong Chamber Hall, Seoul, Korea (2023)
Carnegie Weill Recital Hall Debut Recital Korea Music Foundation Piano, Amy Yang (2013)
Rutgers University Recital with Professor Abramovic at Camden (2015)
Recital in Sejong Cultural Recital Hall (1995)
D) Chamber Music
Lyric Fest The Road Less Travelled (2019)
Lyric Fest Songs of the World (2017)
Curtis Summerfest of the Curtis Institute of Music Zwei Gesänge by Brahms (2014)
Curtis Summerfest of the Curtis Institute of Music Chansons Madécasses by Ravel (2013)
Network for New Music Four Songs After Rexroth by Jan Krzywicki (1996)
Music Amici Chansons Madécasses by Ravel, Spring Valley New York (1993)
E) Performance Reviews
"The two pieces that featured mezzo Misoon Ghim were a good example of the diversity and ability on display. Ghim sang the opening aria by Handel in a true Baroque style, with all the ornaments, such as long trills that make Baroque vocal music exciting and emotionally effective. Then, a few minutes later, she sang three of Manuel Valls’s 20th-century versions of Spanish Sephardic songs, two with a soaring medieval troubadour style, and the finale with a lively, hip-swinging rhythm."
Tom Purdom- Broad Street Review (October 16, 2014)
“What an auspicious New York debut vocal recital, as two wonderful performers, mezzo soprano Misoon Ghim and pianist Amy Yang, presented songs from five stylistic periods, sung beautifully in five languages. I was most impressed by the high quality of the music they chose, and how these works allowed both performers to exhibit the many aspects of their fine technique and deep musicality.”
Harry Saltzman -New York Concert Review (April 22, 2013)
"Ghim has a lush mezzo-soprano and displays excellent range in her romantic and comic pieces, particularly the hilarious ‘music lesson’ of Act II and her duets with Figaro and with Dr. Bartolo."
Tom Butler - Delaware Online (November 2, 2009)
"Rosina (Misoon Ghim) brought dramatic sensitivity to the role and dancing eyes and subtle and playful expressions to the remonstrances of Dr. Bartolo, and Almaviva."
- Greer Firestone - Community News (Hockessin, DE), (November 14, 2009)
"Misoon Ghim's Suzuki was first-rate."
Bernard Holland - New York Times (March 12, 2007
"Misoon Ghim as Butterfly's loyal Suzuki sang with dramatic sensitivity."
Clive Barnes - NY Post (March 13, 2007)
“Misoon Ghim conveyed Suzuki’s sympathy, compassion and tenderness eloquently through voice and gesture.”
Sorab Modi - Opera News (January 31, 1998)
“As Suzuki, Misoon Ghim conveys a good sense of the character's sorrow.”
Lesley Valdes - Philadelphia Inquirer ( November 13, 1996)
“Misoon Ghim made the most of her part as Suzuki with a rich and delicious voice that gave meaning to her every word. And, even when silent, a tilt of her head or the bend of her body sang measures.”
Mark H. Beers - Philadelphia Weekly (November 13, 1996)
RECORDINGS
Evening Hymn: Baroque Vocal Music by Bach, Handel and Purcell. Universal Music Korea (2012)
Songs of Loss and Lovs: Opera Arias (2002)
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Princeton Symphony Orchestra Con. Mark Laycock ( 1998)
AWARDS
Best Research Paper Award by Korean American University Professors Association (2020)
The Metropolitan Opera Education Fund (1997 & 1998)
The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Finalist (1996)
The Pavarotti International Voice Competition Finalist (1995)
Mario Lanza Vocal Competition 2nd Prize Winner ( 1993)
Five Towns Music Competition Winner (1993)
Loren L. Zachary Society National Vocal Competition Finalist (1993)