Professor Julia Mihyun Kho is one of the leading soprano and educators in Korea. Julia grew up in Sydney, graduated the Australian Institute of Music (BMus) and then finished her Master of Music (MMus) and Doctor of Music (PhD) at the Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Korea and distinguished herself as the first and the youngest PhD opera singer in Korean history.
Julia also studied with Lorraine Nubar at the Juilliard School, New York in extension studies while in the United States for her DMA at the American Conservatory of Music (she was awarded the Presidential scholarship). She studied with Edith Mathis at the International Sommerakademie Universitat Mozarteum, Salzburg. In Italy, she graduated from the Pescarese Accademia and the Roma Arena Accademia where she studies for 3 years for the Diploma in which she achieved perfect scores.
In 2013, Julia performed with the Maestro Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) in Korea. Mehta extolled her as “ The Real Artist” honoring her talent and passion for the music after the concert. In 2010, representing Korea, she also performed the Korean National Anthem in front of the Korean President Lee, Myung-Bak on the celebration of the 65th National Liberation Day of Korea in 2010. She also sang in front of presidents from many other countries, such as Juan Manuel Santos, the president of Colombia.
Her main operatic roles include La Traviata (Violetta); Carmen (Micaela); Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna); The Magic Flute (Pamina); L’elisir d’amore (Adina) to mention a few. Her European debut recital was in 2006 in Paris, and was sponsored by the Korean Embassy of France. She gave some 20 recitals in Leipzig (Schumann-Haus) Germany, Russia, Italy. Julia has performed at ta range of world-class Centers including Berlin Konzerthaus, Beethovenhalle in Bonn, the Sydney Opera House, and many others. She has performed in Czech, Bulgaria, Rumania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia and with the Chinese National Philharmonic, the Seoul Philharmonic, the Korean Symphony, and the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Korea. She also recorded three solo CD albums with the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Doc-Ki Kim of Korea, which have all been acknowledged and praised for their completion and passion.
Julia has received many awards including - The Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea Award (2009); Korean Opera Awards from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) in 2009; The Republic of Korea Women of the Year Award (2008); The Australian Embassy, Seoul – Australian Alumni Creative Arts Award (2009); World Peace Culture and Arts Grand Prize (2008) and the 4th Sejong Musicians Award (KOREA). Julia has been designated as the Goodwill Ambassador of Australia by the Australian Embassy in Korea to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Australia. She was the conductor of Alma Latina Diplomatic Choir in Korea and worked as the 2012 Mentor of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MGEF).
Her teaching career in the area of music and music education is also notable. She has taught in many universities and arts high school including Sookmyung Women's University, Chung-Ang University, Chonbuk National University, Hanyang women’s University, Baekseok University, Hansei University, Kyungmin University and the Kaywon High School of Arts. Julia is currently a Professor at the Korea National University of Education (KNUE). She is Director of Korean Association of Arts Education (KAAE) and Director of Korean Federation of Woman Professors (KFWP).
Professor Julia Mihyun Kho