The Royal College of Music (RCM) has announced South Korean soprano Seonwoo Lee as the third recipient of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation-Community Jameel Scholarship. Seonwoo will join the world-renowned RCM Opera Studio this September on the Artist Diploma (ArtDip) in Opera course at the global top institution for performing arts (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022).
Born and raised in Seoul, Seonwoo took an early interest in singing and dancing. Her vocal studies began in earnest when she entered a prestigious middle school specialising in the arts. She is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Vocal Arts at the Juilliard School in New York, having completed her undergraduate studies at the Seoul National University.
In addition to her studies, Seonwoo is also an active performer across the USA and Asia. Recent performances include La Damoiselle élue in La Damoiselle élue at Alice Tully Hall with Maestra Barbara Hannigan, Prosperina in L’Orfeo at New York’s Peter Jay Sharp Theatre and Juilliard’s ‘Juilliard NOW’ concert series at the Lincoln Centre. She has also performed with the Korean National Opera.
Seonwoo Lee, the latest Andrea Bocelli Foundation-Community Jameel scholar, said: “I am really looking forward to training as a professional opera singer through the top of the world faculty and curriculum of the Royal College of Music. Also, I hope to have many opportunities to perform with wonderful colleagues in the school. I am honoured that I have been awarded the Andrea Bocelli Foundation-Community Jameel Scholarship and hope to be able to expand on my previous performances and build on my training through my studies at RCM. I really appreciate their generous support so that I can focus on music and grow as an artist.”
Stefano Aversa, chairman of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, said: “The Andrea Bocelli Foundation works every day for the empowerment of people and communities through pro-jects that enable each individual to achieve its full potential. Access to quality and equitable education is one of our main goals; music and art play a critical role in a holistic and pur-poseful education. That's why we strongly believe in this international project that stems from a high esteem and partnership with Community Jameel."
George Richards, director of Community Jameel, said: “The Andrea Bocelli Foundation-Community Jameel Scholarship was launched to support extraordinary students of opera at the Royal College of Music from anywhere in the world. In just three years, the scholarship has been awarded to singers from Europe, Africa and now Asia. Seonwoo is a remarkable talent, and we at Community Jameel are delighted to have the chance to support her on her journey.”
Launched in 2019 to support students at the RCM, the Andrea Bocelli Foundation-Community Jameel Scholarship is awarded to talented musicians, chosen both on merit, assessed at the audition level, and their need for support to overcome barriers and access the world-class training available at the RCM. The scholarship was established by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, founded by world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, and Community Jameel, an international organisation advancing science to tackle global challenges.
Seonwoo is the third recipient of the scholarship, following French soprano Clara Barbier Serrano and Egyptian soprano Laura Mekhail, who were awarded the scholarship in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
