A native of Taiwan, Sharon Cheng made her US professional debut with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in 2009. She recently starred in two sold-out performances of Lucia di Lammermoor for Baltimore Concert Opera. Praised for her “comic talent and dazzling high notes,” she has also successfully portrayed a wide variety of operatic roles, including La Musica, Proserpina (L’Orfeo), Atalanta (Serse), Alcina, Konstanze (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Madame Goldentrill, Miss Silverpeal (The Impresario), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Königin der Nacht (Die Zauberflöte), Servilia (La clemenza di Tito), Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Gilda (Rigoletto), Olympia (Les contes d’Hoffmann), La Fée (Cendrillon), Lakmé, Gretel, Sandman, Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel), Monica (The Medium) and Lucy (The Telephone).
With an “exciting and securely produced voice,” Miss Cheng has given several collaborative recitals throughout Asia, America, and Europe. In 2011, she made her Carnegie Hall debut at the Stern Auditorium, took part in the Caramoor International Music Festival, and gave “A Tribute to Franz Liszt” recital tour to celebrate the composer’s bicentennial. In addition, she was invited to present a recital in collaboration with the exhibition of “Turner to Cézanne: Masterpieces from the Davies Collection, National Museum Wales” at the Everson Museum. She has sung at several fundraising concerts for Jewish Federation/Uru Akhim, and is proud to be part of the Lullaby recording project with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and the Awesome Foundation Connecticut in 2012. Commissioned by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Miss Cheng created the program of Voices of Children in collaboration with the exibition of Pictures from A Hiroshima Schoolyard in 2013. She also presented the same program in fundraising concerts for various children-related organizations in the 2013/14 season. She has appeared in interviews and live on-air performances on radio stations, including BCC, RTI, and WCNY. Her latest CD album of Liszt songs is released by Blue Griffin Recording.
Miss Cheng was awarded first prizes at the Liszt International Competition, NTD International Vocal Competition, Civic Morning Musicals Vocal Competition, Taiwan National Theater Concert Hall 2009 Young Star Audition, Chimei Arts Award, among others. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Management from the College of Law at Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Syracuse University, and an Artist Diploma from Queens College, CUNY. She is the co-founder and administrative director of Metropolitan International Music Festival. For more information, please visit www.Sharon-Cheng.com.