Artists — Hudson River Opera

Founding Director
Stage Director

Tenor Choong Lee received a distinctive award from the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions, and began the next year at the Eastman School of Music on a full scholarship. He has won the Eurasian Music Festival Vocal Competition, an encouragement award at the Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition and a finalist award at the Sun Valley Opera International Vocal Competition. He received the Teresa Stratas Special Award at the Lotte Lenya Competition, in which the soprano praised his voice as a ‘gift from God.’ Opera News wrote that he shows ‘real humor on stage.’ He was a member of the Young Artists Program at the Natchez Festival of Music. Mr. Lee earned his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

Founding Director
Music Director

Maestro William Lewis is a pianist, accompanist, and conductor. He is well-known for coaching the theatrical forms: opera, musical theatre, cabaret, and concert. Originally from Colorado, Mr. Lewis has assisted in the preparation and performance of famous and emerging artists throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America. He has been on the faculties of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, New England Conservatory of Music, Rutgers University, and is presently an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He has served as accompanist for the Rosa Ponselle International Competition, OMTI with Jerome Hines, Savannah American Traditions Competition, and the Sullivan Grant Awards. He has appeared in concert with Sprio Malas, Patti La Belle, J. Patrick Raftery, Maureen O’Flynn, Marcello Giordani and Dr. Ronan Tynan.

Creative Director

Director Yul Kim is a writer, artist, and multi-instrumentalist. Once on track to become a professional athlete, he has since worked as a fashion photographer, traveled and performed throughout Southeast Asia, and has worked passionately to bring opera to New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. His award-winning direction and filming of dance choreography has been seen by over 15 million viewers online, and he continues to create with cameras, words, and instruments.