Paul Robeson Vocal Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2006 Paul Robeson Vocal Competition!

Heyk Choe

First Place- 2006

Candice Hoyes

Second Place - 2006 - see below

Kotnin Chung

Third Place - 2006

Martin Fisher

Honorable Mention - 2006

Below you will find more detailed information about a few of our estimed Paul Robeson Vocal Competition Finalists and Winners:

Candice Hoyes

Second Place - 2006

Candice Hoyes is pleased to make her upcoming debut as Despina in Cosi fan tutte with Opera Company of Brooklyn, where she is a Resident Artist . In the 2007-8 season, Ms. Hoyes' engagements include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with both the Amadeus Opern Ensemble and the Brooklyn Conservatory Summer Opera Orchestra, and an oratorio concert with the Immaculate Conception Chamber Orchestra in Kingston, Jamaica. She has recently performed Adele in Die Fledermaus for St. Petersburg Opera Company (FL), Zerlina in Don Giovanni at Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall . Ms. Hoyes is a winner of the 2006 Paul Robeson Vocal Competition, and the 2005 Westminster Voice Scholarship Competition. She is a graduate of Harvard University and Westminster Choir College at Rider University , and resides in New York with her husband. Her website is www.candicehoyes.com.

Amy Lynn Call

Finalist - 2005

American dramatic coloratura soprano Amy Lynn Call made her European debut in the summer of 2006 in Graz, Austria singing Beethoven’s concert aria “Ah, perfido!” and Violetta’s Act I scena from La traviata with esteemed conductors Cornelius Eberhardt and Alexander Kalajdzic. She has performed the roles of Königin der Nacht (Chemnitz, Döbeln, and Freiberg, Germany, and Shenandoah Conservatory), Fiordiligi (Loudoun Lyric Opera), Mimì (Bay View Music Festival), Violetta (Bethesda Summer Music Festival), Annina (Indiana University), Dido (Opera Roanoke/Virginia Tech Opera), and Lizbeth (Shenandoah Conservatory) and has prepared the roles of Donna Elvira, Vanessa, and Rosalinde. Ms. Call was a finalist in the Meistersinger Competition in Graz, Austria, the Paul Robeson Competition in Washington, D.C. and the Czech and Slovak International Voice Competition in Montreal, Canada. She won the Adrian Boyer Competition at Bay View (2005) and the national Career Performance Grant in Voice from Sigma Alpha Iota in 2006. Currently, she is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance at Shenandoah Conservatory, where she studies with Dr. Charlotte Nelson Aiosa. Former teachers include Martina Arroyo, Mary Ann Hart, Craig Fields, and In Dal Choi. She has performed in masterclasses by Carol Vaness, John Wustman, Martin Katz, and Gabriele Lechner. She will make her professional European operatic debut with Chemnitz Oper in Germany during the 2007-2008 season as Königin der Nacht. Ms. Call is currently studying the roles of Konstanze (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Woglinde (Das Rheingold), and Helmwige (Die Walküre).

Nydia C. Noriega

2nd Place - 2005

Lyric Soprano, Nydia Camilla Noriega was born in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. to Trinidadian parents. She lived in Florida during her early childhood; however, she spent her formative years on the island of Trinidad. At age thirteen, Nydia returned to the United States of America where she completed her high school and college education.

As a toddler, Nydia was keenly aware of her particular aptitude for vocal performance and her affinity for art in general. At age six, she competed and placed first in the Dade County Parks and Recreation Talent Competition. By the age of seven, she was a featured vocal soloist at the schools that she attended.

In 1992, Nydia was recognized as a Florida Academic Scholar. That year, she also won the Capitol Records, Inc. Nat King Cole Memorial Scholarship, the College Assistance Program Grant, Inc., and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. academic scholarship. Additionally, Florida State University awarded her its annual Incentive Scholarship. At Florida State University, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with concentration on voice performance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. After receiving the Boston University Director’s Award academic grant, she completed her Master of Music degree at that Institution in 1999.

Consecutively in 1995 and 1996, Nydia was the1st place winner Of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, South Eastern Division Vocal Competition.
As a member of the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, Nydia served as a Musical Ambassador at events hosted by the President of the United States of America and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. She performed as a member of the Singing Sergeants on concerts, recordings, radio and television appearances and Continental U.S. tours in support of U.S. Air Force morale and community relations objectives. The Urban Philharmonic Society, Inc. awarded her 2nd place in its national Paul Robeson Vocal Competition in November, 2005. Most recently, Nydia played the role of Giannetta in the Asian American Music Society’s production of Giovanni Donizetti’s Elisir d’Amore.

Presently, Nydia is earning an Artist Diploma in vocal performance at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, located in Coral Gables, Florida. The Artist Diploma Program is one year of immersion in artistry. Acting, study of operatic and musical theater style elements and performance practice, vocal coaching and applied lessons comprise the core curriculum.

Nydia continues to develop as a vocal performance artist through ongoing coaching, deliberate training and engaging in live performances. Teaching voice, ear training, and basic music theory privately enables Nydia to share her appreciation of music with others. Her greatest joy stems from stirring the heart of humanity through the beautiful gift of song.

Jacqueline Quirk

Finalist - 2004

With such demonstrated talent, Soprano Jacqueline Quirk is set to make her mark in the realms of operatic performance throughout the world as one of opera’s outstanding up and coming young stars. With her acclaimed versatile range at her disposal, Jacqueline is known particularly for roles that demonstrate her captivating full lyric soprano voice. She is recognized as a leading interpreter for her roles as Mimi (La Boheme), Violetta (La Traviata) and Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly. The New Bern Sun Journal says” Building on the resounding voice of the principal lead, Asheville Lyric Opera delivered a stellar performance of Madama Butterfly. As expected, Soprano Jacqueline Quirk as Cio-Cio San was the jewel in the troupe’s operatic crown. Quirk provided strong voice- co-mingled with tacit emotion expressed in both song and acting. She brought experience to the stage and provided a positive operatic experience. Likewise, the Saint Petersburg Times says “Jacqueline Quirk was a properly ardent Mimi. Quirk had the high notes for the spectacular arias like “Mi chiamano Mimi”, and was at her expressive best in the Act 3 scene “Donde Lieta” in which the consumptive heroine tells Rodolfo he can keep a pink bonnet in memory of her.

Ms. Quirk is also highly regarded for her interpretation in roles including Micaela in Carmen, Marguerite in Faust, Nedda in I Pagliacci, Musetta in La Boheme, Pamina in The Magic Flute, and Hanna in The Merry Widow. Jacqueline also has a passion for American Opera, and was privileged to make her debut at the Kennedy Center (DC) with Patti LuPone and conductor, Steven Mercurio in the opera Regina. Highlighting her career performances are with Hawaii Opera Theatre, Washington National Opera, La Monnaie (BE), Asheville Lyric Opera, Annapolis Opera, Opera Florham and Vero Beach Opera. In 2006-07’ Season, she performed, Nella/Suor Dolicia in Il Trittico with Hawaii Opera Theatre, Cio-Cio San with Asheville Lyric Opera and the Mansfield Symphony. As well as, a return to Asheville Lyric Opera as Violetta (La Traviata), and Mimi in La Boheme with Saint Petersburg Opera. Upcoming engagements include a Pacific Rim Concert Tour with Hawaii Opera Theatre in Great American Voices, Mimi in La Boheme with Belcantanti (DC), and a New Year’s Eve Opera Gala with Metropolitan Mezzo-Soprano, Victoria Livengood.

Also active as a concert artist, Ms. Quirk has been a featured soloist with Symphonies in Honolulu, Tanglewood, Pittsburgh, Mansfield, Jacksonville, Washington National, Bangkok, Choral Arts Society (DC), and the Little Orchestra Society (NY). She was a finalist in the International Classical Singer Competition (NY), the Violetta DuPont Vocal Competition, Paul Robeson Competition, Di Capo Opera Competition and The Singer of the Year Competition (Shreveport Opera). She holds a B.F.A in Vocal Performance form Carnegie Mellon University,and her M. A. from New York University. Ms. Quirk was a member of the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio with Hawaii Opera Theatre, as well as the Apprentic Programs of Tanglewood Opera Festival, and in Europe with Opera Plus, and La Monnaie (BE).

Kwang Kyu Lee

Awards:
The First Prize and Audience Choice Award of the Classical Singers Audcomps
The Grand Prize of the Annapolis Opera Competition
The Second Prize of the New Jersey State International Competition
The Second Prize of the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition
The Third Prize of the Liederkranz Foundation Vocal Competition
The Third Prize of the Connecticut Opera Vocal Competition
The Third Prize of the Metropolitan Opera Regional Competition
The Finalist of the Puccini International Vocal, New Jersey Verismo Opera
and The Houston Grand Opera Competition
Guest Singer in the Master class of Renata Scotto and Anna Moffo
Full Scholarships from the University of Maryland

Performance:
Sarastro in The Magic Flute (The Summer Opera & the University of Maryland) 2006/2000
Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor (The Belcantati Opera) 2007
Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro (The Belcantanti Opera) 2006
Ferrando in Il Trovatore ( The Summer Opera ) 2006
Sparafucile in Rigoletto (The Summer Opera at the Washington D.C.) 2005
Dulcamara in L’elisir D’amore (the University of Maryland) 2004
Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni (The Annapolis Opera) 2002
Colline in La Boheme (The Music Festival in St. Bartheleme in Carivian) 2002
Montano in Otello (The Summer Opera at the Washington D.C.) 2004
Betto in Gianni Schicchi (The Opera International) 2002
Bass Soloist in Dvorak Stavat Mater with the Fairfax Choral Society 2002
Bass Soloist in Beethoven 9th Symphony with the Maryland Choral 2005
Bass Soloist in Händel Messiah at the Gloval Baptist Church & other places
Bass Soloist in Saint-Saënst The Christmas Oratorio with Frederic Choral Society 2003
Bass Soloist in Bach Magnificat with the Maryland Choral Society 2002
Bass Soloist in Bach Chistmas Cantata with the Maryland Bach Society 2000
Bass Soloist in Bach Cantata BWV 4 & 249, and Coffee Cantata with the Bach Sinfonia 2000
Bass Soloist in Mozart Requiem with the American University Choir 2000
Bass Soloist in Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle at the University of Maryland 1999
Bass Soloist in Haydn The Creation at The Young-Rak Church in Korea 1997
Several Solo Recitals including at The Washington Art Club and Schubert Winterreise 2004/2005

Upcoming Events:
Sacristan in Tosca (the Summer Opera Theater) 2007
Gouverneur in Le comte Ory (The Belcantanti Opera) 2007
Cappelio in I Capuleti e I Montecchi (The Belcantanti Opera) 2007
Osmin in Die Entführung aus dem Serail 2008
Sarastro in The Magic Flute 2008

Education:
University of Maryland at College Park, DMA, Voice. 2007
University of Maryland at College Park, MM, Voice. 2002
Han-Yang University in Korea, BM, Voice. 1998

Principal Teachers:
François Loup, Gran Wilson, Maria Argyros, Dominic Cossa,Charles Ricker, Earnest Rigon

Referance:
“Balancing tragedy with comic relief particularly by the Sacristan played by Kwang-Kyu Lee. He had a solid baritone but his comic glory was in his bowl-legged walk and his sinful business in a holy church.” ------- All Arts Review 4U(Bob Anthony) in July 17. 2007.
“The cast members sang quite well, particularly bass-baritone Kwang-Kyu Lee as the quirky sacristan.” -------- The Washington Times (T.L. Ponick) in July 16. 2007.
“The supporting cast came through well, for the most part. Kwang-Kyu Lee's Sacristan was sung in a hearty bass.” -------- The Baltimore Sun (Tim Smith) in July 17. 2007.
“Kwang Kyu Lee was impressively stolid as Raimondo, even when singing seriously about heaven to Donizetti's silly tune.” ----- The Washington Post (Mark J. Estren) in May 1. 2007
“As the cleric Raimondo, bass Kwang Kyu Lee’s full, rounded tones were as effective in his solo excursions as they were crucial in providing the necessary ballast for the opera’s unforgettable sextet.” -------- The Washington Times (T.L. Ponick) in April 30. 2007. “Lee was fine in the role of Ferrando. Ferrando nonetheless has some significant moments in this opera, and Mr. Lee made significant moments in this opera with his robust and well-supported instrument.”------The Washington Times (T.L. Ponick) in July 18. 2006.
“Kwang Kyu Lee's rich bass-baritone gave Figaro more weight and bite than usual.”
----------- The Washington Post (Mark J. Estren) Dec 18. 2006.
“Lee had a full Russian bass that was magnificently pure in the lowest notes”
“He had bel canto quality voices throughout and sang his heart out ----- gave a honeyed quality to his bass/baritone and never scraped bottom as so many such voices do to ruin their quality” ------- All Arts Review 4U(Bob Anthony) in June 20. & July 18. 2006.
“Lee proved conscientious musicians ---- sang the role of Ferrando with dignity and lithe grace.” --------- The Washington Post(Tim page) in July 18. 2006. “Lee’s arias revealed a dark, powerful voice ---- His word play of those wonderful coloratura passages was brought out with admirable dexterity and flair. Bravo!”
-------- The Baltimore Sun (Phil Greenfield) in Feb 7. 2002.
“Bass-Baritone Kwang-Kyu Lee Rose impressively to this challenge and displayed a voice that seems destined for a major career ---- already uses his big, tonally opulent voice with intelligence and subtle control.”
------- The Washington Post (Joseph McLellan) in July 8. 2000.
“His Voice seems ready for significant operatic careers ---- has a vocal power that one associates with much more mature basses.”
------- The Washington Post (Joseph McLellan) in May 2. 2000.

Olga Andronikova

Mezzo Soprano

Opera
Giulio Cesare Giulio Cesare One World Symphony, NY 2006
La Cieca La Gioconda Amici Opera, PA 2005
Marcellina Le Nozze di Figaro New York Opera Forum, NY 2005
Zia Principessa Suor Angelica Garden State Opera, NJ 2005
Zia Principessa Suor Angelica One World Symphony, NY 2005
Mamma Lucia Cavalleria Rusticana Regina Opera, NY 2005

Operatic Performances
Scenes from “Faust” Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall New York City 2004
Solo Recital The New Church Manhattan, New York 2004
Operatic Concerts Regina Opera Brooklyn, New York 2004
Operatic Scenes Donnell Library Center Manhattan, New York 2004
Great Moments in Music Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall New York City 2003

Oratorio
Mezzo Soloist Requiem (Mozart) Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ 2004
Mezzo Soloist John F. Kennedy: Requiem Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall 2005
(William Maselli)

Roles in Preparation
Flora La Traviatta Cherubino Le Nozze di Figaro
Suzuki Madam Butterfly Dorabella Cosi fan tutti
Orlofsky Die Fledermaus Meg Falstaff
Nicklausse Les contes d'Hoffmann Romeo I Capuletti e I Montecchi
Arsace Semiramide Witch Hansel und Gretel
Maddalena Rigoletto Orfeo Orfeo ed Euridice

Young Artists Development Program
Pacific Encore Performances, NYC

Competitions
Palm Beach Atlantic National Vocal Competition, FL Finalist 2003
Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition, DC Finalist 2001
All-Russian Competition of Young Music Performers, St. Petersburg Finalist 1998

Education
The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia BA (Mus) 1998