Kristen Dubenion-Smith, mezzo-soprano, enjoys an active performing career in oratorio and sacred vocal chamber music, specializing in music of the medieval, renaissance and baroque eras.

Highlights from recent seasons include Handel’s Israel in Egypt and Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Washington National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and St. Matthew Passion with the Washington Bach Consort, and Bach’s St. John Passion with The Dryden Ensemble. Ms. Dubenion-Smith is a past American Bach Soloists Academy participant and Virginia Best Adams Fellow at the Carmel Bach Festival.

2022-2023 season solo highlights are BWV 170 with Chatham Baroque, Venus and Adonis with Bach Collegium San Diego, the Monteverdi Vespers with both Apollo’s Fire and the Washington National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Washington Bach Consort, Handel’s Messiah with Ensemble Altera, BWV 3 with Bach in Baltimore, and an international tour of Handel’s Solomon with The Clarion Choir and The English Concert.

Ms. Dubenion-Smith joined the Choir of Men and Boys/Girls at the Washington National Cathedral in the fall of 2016 as the first woman to be offered a position in this choir. She had previously served as cantor since 2010. In her time with the Cathedral Choir, she has sung for liturgies, commemorations, and events of national importance – most recently, the State Funerals of President George H. W. Bush and Senator John McCain, the internment of Matthew Shepard, and Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies and Prayer Services.

Originally from Michigan, Ms. Dubenion-Smith attended Alma College (Bachelor of Music) before moving to Maryland to complete her studies at The Peabody Conservatory of Music (Master of Music) in Baltimore.

Soprano Ellie Yeonjung Kim, originally from Seoul, Korea, completed her Master’s of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music in New York studying under Joan Patenaude-Yarnell.  Ellie’s operatic appearances include Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Dell’arte Opera Emsemble and Lucy in Menotti’s  The Telephone at the Korea National Theater.

She was recognized with “great critical acclaim” by Opera News online for the role of Rita in Donizetti’s Rita with the Martina Arroyo Foundation.

Other repertoire include Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Sophie in Massenet’s Werther,  and Laetitia in Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief.  Ms. Kim was also featured in several opera gala concert performances at the KBS Hall in Seoul, Korea as a member of the Kim Ja-Kyung opera company.

Ms. Kim was featured as a vocal soloist with the Washington Bach Consort for their 2013 season and is a professional member of the Washington Master Chorale and has appeared as a soloist in Washington-Baltimore area.  Ms. Kim currently studies with Elizabeth Daniels.