Soon Cho

Associate Professor of Music - Voice

Phone: 253-535-7855

Email: chosy@plu.edu

Office Location: Mary Baker Russell Music Center - 335

Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment

  • Professional
  • Biography

Education

  • D.M.A., Voice, cognate fields in vocal pedagogy and opera directing, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, 2011
  • A.D., Opera, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, 2005
  • M.M., Voice, Rice University, Shepherd School of Music, 2002
  • B.M/B.A., Voice, University of Washington, 1999

Responsibilities

Applied voice lessons, vocal pedagogy, and French and German diction.

Accolades

  • 2013, Songfest Mentor Program, Colburn Conservatory of School
  • 2012, Summer Faculty Institute, Baylor University
  • 2012, Teaching Grant, Baylor University
  • 2011, National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern Program

Biography

Acclaimed by Opera News for her “potent” and “intense and incisive” stage presence, and praised by the Cincinnati Post as “regal in bearing, with vocal endowments to match,” lyric mezzo-soprano Soon Cho is an Associate Professor of Voice at Pacific Lutheran University. Dr. Cho is a sought-after clinician, conducting master classes at institutions such as San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Ithaca College, Florida State University, and various Schmidt Vocal Competitions annually. Dr. Cho is a member of the summer teaching faculty at the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Italy, and Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival in Leavenworth, WA.

Dr. Cho’s vocal and dramatic work is wide-ranging — from canonical works from the 18th through 20th centuries to contemporary music by living composers. Her performing career spans Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, with notable appearances at the Beaune International Baroque Festival in France, Forbidden City Concert Hall in China, and Ghent New Music Festival in Belgium, and has collaborated with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival Chorus, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, and Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra.

While maintaining an active performing career, Dr. Cho is an artist teacher deeply committed to education. While holding herself and her students to the highest standards, Dr. Cho always adopts a nurturing, holistic, learner-centered approach that brings out the best in young singers. Through open conversations and practical guidance, she equips her students with the skills and resilience needed for success in the professional world. Her students have been accepted to prestigious music programs and have won competitions.