Duke Kim (B.M. Vocal Performance ’15) performs as Nemorino in Opera Chapman’s presentation of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, April 2015.

On Sunday, May 9, 2021, Chapman University vocal performance alumnus Yeon J. “Duke” Kim (’15) was selected as a finalist for the 2021 Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions out of a field of 23 opera singers from across the U.S.

Located in New York City, NY, The Metropolitan Opera is an internationally renowned institution touted as “a vibrant home for the most creative and talented singers, conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world.” The National Council Auditions is a program designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. Auditions take place annually in 39 Districts and 12 Regions throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico, all run locally by volunteers.

In 2015, Duke Kim received a Special Encouragement Award of $1,500 at the Metropolitan Opera Western Regional Finals held November 1, 2015 at The Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA. He was the only male singer to advance to the Finals from the Los Angeles district.

Kim was a student of Chapman voice faculty member Patrick Goeser and was a member of Opera Chapman, the University Singers chamber ensemble, and the University Choir. At graduation, he was named a Musco Scholar, a special distinction awarded to CoPA students demonstrating superior talent in vocal performance, music, dance and theatre. The award was established by Paul S. and Marybelle Musco, longtime benefactors of the university who are also ardent supporters of the arts in Orange County.

Kim will perform in the National Grand Finals Concert on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 3 p.m. EST. To view both the semifinal competition and Grand Finals Concert, register at concerts.kiswe.com/metopera.