Philip Hyung Roh – Artistic Director and Founder

Philip Roh is an accomplished baritone and an arts activist.  He is the founder of OCYC and has served as its artistic director since its inception.

Philip’s accomplishments include producing and conducting the productions of The Messiah, Seven Last Words of Christ, Mozart’s Requiem, La Traviata, and Le Nozze di Figaro.  He was a member of Washington Bel Canto Opera, The Greater Washington Lyric Opera, and Korean Symphony Orchestra.  He founded Opera California in 1988, the first Korean American Opera Company in the U.S.

Serving as one of the board members for National African American Music Association with Dr. Don Lee White, Philip Roh realized that music is a powerful tool that can be used to unite communities. Since then, Philip has tirelessly worked to ensure that diversity is one of the key principles reflected in all of OCYC’s productions.

Sung Hei Roh - Executive and Music Director

Sung Hei Roh is an accomplished soprano and has served as the executive and music director for Opera California since its inception in 1991. A graduate of Seoul National University, Sung Hei has performed as the lead in many operatic productions, including La Boheme, Esther, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and La Traviata. She has been the lead soloist for elite orchestras (both domestic and international) including Torrance Symphony Orchestra, Amara Chamber Orchestra, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Opera California, Washington Lyric Opera Company, and Hankook Opera Company.  

Sung Hei Roh is also an accomplished teacher. As the lead instructor in both OCYC and Rose School of Music, her students have earned national recognition, including the American Protege.   

Her passion lies in using music to develop leadership and values in all of her students. Her legacy is in the number of leaders, professionals, educators, and musicians making an impact in the local, national, and global community.   

 Benjamin Yang - Assistant Music Director

Benjamin Yang currently serves as an Assistant Music Director. Prior to his current assignment,  he was a member and teacher of OCYC for nine years. He was cast as the main lead in the choir’s production of Dreams and Gifted. He has conducted for the choir’s performances, including performances in Asia and Africa.

He also serves as the Worship Music Director for the English Ministry service at Los Feliz United Methodist Church, leading worship tours in Japan, Thailand, Ukraine and South Korea.  

He majored in economics in Univ. of Calif. at Los Angeles  While atteding UCLA, Benjamin was part of the University’s chamber choir and performed in the production of Elijah and Handel’s Messiah.  He also the lead in the UCLA’s annual Korean Culture Night‘s production of A Tale of Two Lilies.

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  Kay Nahm, Acting and Stage Director

  Kay Nahm is the Acting and Stage Director with OCYC since 2012, writing and directing the annual musicals for OCYC for the past 6 years. Some of her more recent work on stage includes playing Amy in Stuck with WET Theatre Co. directed by Jessica Hatlo, where she received a Foot Light Award for Best Upcoming Actress in Seattle, Lady In Waiting to Portia, in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice directed by John Langs with Seattle Shakespeare Co., Ming Lee in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon directed by Josh Aaseng with Book-It Theatre Co. In addition to acting She worked with women and children being rescued out of sex trafficking in Thailand and Cambodia with a Grass Roots Media team called Voice for the Voiceless.

  She studied Performing Arts/Musical Theatre at Cornish College of the Arts. Currently, Kay is attaining her Masters in Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. For her 2017-18 school year she was awarded the Ryo and Jean Komae Scholarship from Asian American Christian Counseling Services for being a recipient whose passion is to empower the Asian American population.

HyeYoung Shin: Accompanist

• Seoul Seminary University Major in Organ
• Global Messiah Women's Choir Accompan
• La Hambra Lutheran Church Organist

Kevin Kim - Choreographer

Gi Jeong Kim is the choreographer for OCYC. He has been working with OCYC since 2017 and was responsible for choreography of the dance scene in Amahl and the Night Visitors performance. Dancing professionally since 2012, his accomplishments include first place in USA Street Dance, first place in California Association of Dance/Drill Team Directors, third place in USA Nations, and more. His dance team, Brobots, qualified for the TV Show America's Got Talent, Season 12.  

He is currently attending Santa Monica College.