YOO SUN NA
Soprano Yoo Sun Na has been acclaimed for her unique and rich sound. She made her Carnegie Hall debut as the winner of the 2008 Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition. She was also a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Tulsa District in 2010.
Dr. Na excels in music ranging from Baroque to Contemporary with her powerful interpretations and vibrant stage presence. Her vocal flexibility and array of timbres have won her several important operatic roles including Diana in La Calisto, Electra in Idomeneo, the Countess and Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, Clorinda in La Cenerentola, Jean in Le Portrait de Manon, Rusalka in Soprano Monologue, Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Hedwige in Guillaume Tell, Beatriz in Rappacini’s Daughter, the Stepmother in Bruce Neely’s Hansel and Gretel, and Adina in The Elixir of Love. In great demand for her interpretations of contemporary music, she has premiered works with the Illinois Opera Theatre and the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble. Her recording of Peter Thoergersen’s Always Sleeping with violist Rudolf Haken was played in the New Music Series European Tour.
Dr. Na has appeared as a guest artist with numerous ensembles, including the Universal Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Illinois Concert Jazz Band, Danville Symphony Orchestra, Kyungbuk Orchestra, Yongin Youth Orchestra, Daegu Symphony Orchestra, and Daegu City Choir. She has performed extensively in Korea and the United States and has been featured on leading broadcasting systems throughout Korea and the U.S.
Dr. Na is also an author; her review of “Tenor: History of a Voice” by John Potter was published in the Journal of The National Association for Music Education. In September 2016, she directed a project titled “Music Journey with Yoo Sun Na, It embraces the World.” She worked on four songs with the theme of “Songs of Peace”; she wrote the lyrics, sang, and released it as a digital album. Because of this, she appeared as a guest artist in a TV show called the “Morning Forum” on the Korean Broadcasting System which is an equivalent show to the Good Morning America in terms of history and popularity within South Korea.
Dr. Na earned her Bachelor’s Degree with top honors from Seoul National University where she received the Presidential Scholarship. She earned her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance with honors from the New England Conservatory of Music and received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She currently is a voice faculty at Northeastern University and Bunker Hill Community College.