More vocal highlights- this time from Seoul, South Korea

Competitions

8 December 2023

The 2023 Seoul International Music Competition ends on a high note with outstanding singers

Currently among the countries with the highest amount of international music competition winners across many different categories, genres and ages, it comes as no surprise that candidates at the Seoul International Music Competition are predominantly Korean. Many travel to Seoul from Europe or North America, from where they study and live; others are tempted to participate with the prospect of a military draft exemption in Korea, but one thing that unites them all is the extraordinary level of performance.

Gregory Henkel, member of the jury and managing director of the San Francisco Opera/ Arts Division,says: “The Seoul International Music Competition is a prestigious event that attracts singers with exquisite voices and remarkable techniques. Even among the contestants who did not proceed to the finals, several distinguished themselves with exceptional potential.”Gregory Henkel, member of the jury and managing director of the San Francisco Opera/ Arts Division,says: “The Seoul International Music Competition is a prestigious event that attracts singers with exquisite voices and remarkable techniques. Even among the contestants who did not proceed to the finals, several distinguished themselves with exceptional potential.”

Having previously served as a judge in the 15th Seoul International Music Competition in 2013, this marks his first time evaluating the competition in a decade.
"In comparison to 10 years ago, it was noteworthy that more participants selected pieces by American or British composers for the competition,” Mr. Henkel said. “However, the standard of both participants and judges remains consistently high, just as it was."

Prizes:

1st Prize: Gemma Nha, New York

2nd Prize: Dashuai Chen, Wenzhou

3rd prize: Yeji Nam, Seoul

Jury:

Sen Guo, Michael Heaston, Gregory Henkel, Etsuko Kanoh, Kathleen Kim, Sanggeun Shin, John Treleaven, Annette Weber, Kwangchul Youn

Artists:

Korea Coop Orchestra / Docki Kim (Conductor)

Deemed a ‘rising star soprano’ by Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo, First Prize winner Gemma Nha is a 23-year-old soprano currently pursuing her Master of Music in Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School with Darrell Babidge. Having graduated from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, she is already well on the way of her international career.

In the 24/25 season, she will be a part of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center. Gemma’s repertoire ranges from Mozart to contemporary musical theatre, having sung roles such as Barbarina Volksoper Wien and Zerlina Schlosstheater Schönbrunn, as well as making her professional debut as Tuptim in The King and I with Seefestspiele Mörbisch.