Singer Spotlight: Charlie Kim
https://www.charliekimmusician.com/
Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?
I'm originally from Barstow, CA. I'm a tenor, vocal coach, pianist, repetiteur, music director, chorus master, conductor, teaching artist, choral clinician, recital artist, and chamber musician. I lived in Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) for 5 years and got my BMus from CSUN. Then I lived in Denton, TX and got my MMus from University of North Texas before I moved back to Los Angeles where I currently reside and work.
What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?
The prescribed path in the degree is only a toolkit. They provide you with tools, skills, and networks. You have to decide how you want to bring music to the community and make it happen-- something that is rarely touched upon in school. Learn how to program a concert around a theme, civil activities, commemorations, and ceremonies. You will do it a lot. Build a roster of your local fellow musicians with contact information. Put away a part of every paycheck into a high-yield savings account and track your mileage. Be versatile and useful.
Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.
I am currently trying to get hired as an adjunct at one of the city colleges in Los Angeles. I have tried several times and have been denied for one reason or another. I haven't found a direct solution for this, but I am doing what I can to make myself present: proactively scheduling meetings with department heads, taking the opportunities to sub as a conductor or pianist, working with the faculty on a professional level, and of course auditioning. It is only a matter of time and being ready and present in their minds when the space opens up. And of course, biding my time while I'm waiting. That's the trick, I think...what to do while you wait and prepare. It is all very uncertain, but I do know this: persistence wins.
What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?
I love Carmina Burana. I love playing Madame Butterfly, any Puccini. So much good stuff...the overture to Le nozze di Figaro...my favorite favorite aria, "Grossmachtige" (Zerbinetta) from Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss. Edita Gruberova -- her acting is amazing!
If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?
Technically, I would say that extremes are good for learning, but everyone is striving for balance of darkness and light. You need both, and you will need different levels of one or the other at different times in your life. Let the voice be a reflection of your life and how you process adversity; there is no hiding what you're going through. Let this inform your teaching and your learning. Accept the process and keep moving forward.
Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?
No...everything I stressed over was worth the stress.
Where can we catch you performing next?
I am going on tour with 21 selected singers out of 100 in a fully professional chorus (Los Angeles Master Chorale) on Lagrime di San Pietro by Orlando di Lasso, staged by Peter Sellars. 21 movements, memorized and staged in Italian/Latin. We will be in London, Paris, and Salzburg. I am also making my operatic debut in Los Angeles with Pacific Opera Project as Nanki-poo in The Mikado.
