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Biography

Charlie Kim, a southern California native, is a musician of diverse talents. After achieving virtuosity on the piano in high school, he focused his undergraduate studies in vocal performance. He moved to Texas to continue vocal training with a Master's degree and is now frequently sought out as a vocalist, coach, collaborator, instructor, and musical director.

 

Recent roles include Oronte in Handel's Alcina, Lun Tha in Rodger's The King and I, The Wolf in Sondheim's Into the Woods, and Basilio in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. He has also sung with illustrious local singing organizations such as the Fort Worth Opera and the Dallas Bach Society for several years.

 

Charlie began his piano performance career early by winning youth competitions in his native Southern California, such as the Inland Empire Piano Festival, Southern California Junior Bach Festival Complete Works Audition, Music Teachers' Association of California Certificate of Merit Young Artists's Competition, among others. He has performed with regional Southern California orchestras such as the La Sierra University Sinfonia and the City of Redlands Symphony.

 

Charlie also maintains an active musical theatre life through critically-acclaimed musical direction, accompanying, and performing. Music directing credits include Andrew Lloyd Weber's Sunset Boulevard, John Kander's Chicago, and Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, for which he received "Best Musical Director of the Year" award from the 4-Star Theatre Alliance of Ventura County, California.

 

During his graduate studies at the University of North Texas, Charlie focused further on vocal and instrumental collaborative keyboard work, conducting, coaching, music directing, and chamber music. He held the posts of Assistant Conductor, Chorus Master, Rehearsal Pianist, and Administrative Assistant of the Opera Department of the College of Music all while performing lead roles, both in home performances and on tour. He has worked intimately with well-known composers such as Jake Heggie on singing, playing, and conducting their own works. After serving as vocal coach for international summer programs and as adjunct voice faculty at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Charlie made his return to Southern California to continue his musical journey as a new member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the batons of greats such as Grant Gershon, Gustvao Dudamel, Juanjo Mena, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. 

 

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