Young Mi Kim

Bio

A legendary figure in the international vocal world, soprano Young Mi Kim is celebrated for her exquisite artistry and historic contributions to the operatic stage. Trained in the great Italian tradition in Rome, Ms. Kim made history as the first Korean-born singer to enter the prestigious Verona and Puccini Competitions. Her remarkable career was launched onto the global stage in the early 1980s when she won back-to-back victories at the Maria Callas International Competition (1980) and the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition (1981).

Following her American debut at New York’s Lincoln Center, she gained international acclaim for her performances opposite Luciano Pavarotti, most notably in Donizetti’s L'elisir d’amore. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, she became a fixture on the world’s most significant stages. As a member of the New York City Opera, she drew praise as Mimì in La bohème, and her definitive interpretation of the title role in Madama Butterfly became a signature, performed with the San Diego Opera, Hawaii Opera Theater, and across Los Angeles.

Ms. Kim’s illustrious career has seen her collaborate with world-class ensembles including the Opéra de la Bastille, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C., and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Rome. Her international reach extended to the New National Theatre in Tokyo and major stages across Europe and South Korea.

A dedicated pedagogue and cultural ambassador, Ms. Kim served for many years as a Professor of Voice at the Korea National University of Arts. She continues to shape the future of the art form as the Head of Peppino Academy, where she oversees the development of the next generation of vocal talent.