Meet Siyeon Kim | Chief Executive Officer at Angles Lyric Opera

We had the good fortune of connecting with Siyeon Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Siyeon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting Angels Lyric Opera was both a personal and professional decision for me. Living in a big, diverse city like Los Angeles, I saw so many talented singers—but not enough chances for them to grow in their careers. I wanted to create a supportive space, a kind of “nest,” where young artists could develop with confidence and purpose.

I also noticed that traditional opera doesn’t always connect with the people in this city. Most operas are in Italian, German, or French with English subtitles—but many people in LA don’t speak English either. That made me think: how can opera be more inclusive and meaningful for everyone who lives here?

That question became the starting point for this company. I wanted to build more than just performances—I wanted to create a space where talent is supported, and where opera can be enjoyed by people from all backgrounds.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets Angels Lyric Opera (ALO) apart from other opera companies is that our goal isn’t simply to perform music well. Of course, presenting high-quality performances is important—but what matters even more to us is using that music and passion to make a positive impact on the next generation, especially children who don’t have access to music education due to illness or difficult circumstances.

We are currently developing an Opera Storytime program for children’s hospitals. Our hope is that our music becomes a truly open and accessible opportunity—for everyone.

That said, founding this company and securing our first contract was far from easy. When you read interviews with successful people, they often talk about having total confidence in what they were doing. But in my case, I was deeply afraid of failure. The biggest obstacle I had to overcome wasn’t being busy or tired—it was fear itself.

Still, I knew one thing: if I let fear stop me, nothing would ever happen. Life is naturally filled with uncertainty, like walking a narrow path. But it’s only by moving forward that change becomes possible.

What I’m most grateful for is the people who believed in me—sometimes even more than I believed in myself. Thanks to their encouragement and support, I was able to take one step at a time. And through that process, I realized something important: I couldn’t do any of this alone—but with the support of others, even the impossible can become reality.

Since then, my heart has been filled with a joy and confidence I can’t fully describe.

Angels Lyric Opera is not just a performing arts group. It’s like a small world—a community built on helping one another, sharing love, and growing together. In many ways, it’s a living reflection of what life should be: a space where neighbors care for each other and build something meaningful through art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My very first pick would be the Getty Center. It’s stunning—both inside and out. I still remember my first visit vividly. Just sitting on a bench and looking out over the beautiful gardens brought such a sense of peace.

While I don’t go to Santa Monica Beach often because parking can be a nightmare, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re taking an Uber. After living in the Midwest for six years, the sight of the ocean still makes my heart flutter every time.

Did you know the Korean food in Koreatown can sometimes taste even better than the food in Korea? There’s a particularly amazing duck BBQ restaurant that I always recommend.

And if you’re willing to take a bit of a drive, Crystal Cove is absolutely worth it. It’s one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever been to—we even took our very first family photo there. It’s one of those places I always want to take visiting friends or family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I truly consider myself lucky. As both a singer and an educator, I’ve had the privilege of studying under incredible teachers and role models who deeply shaped my journey. I’d especially like to recognize Dr. Mary Schiller from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Harry Davidson at Duke University, and Dr. Rachel Joselson and Wayne Wyman at the University of Iowa. Each of them has been not only a brilliant teacher but also a life mentor. Even today, they continue to support me whenever I face challenges.

But above all, I owe the foundation of my courage and business mindset to my parents. They’ve run a business in South Korea for decades, and I’ve learned so much from their experience. Any time I face a tough decision in running Angels Lyric Opera, I turn to them for advice—and their insights have been priceless.

Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of our board members at ALO. In today’s world, it takes real courage to pursue a life in the arts, and I’m honored to work alongside people who are just as passionate and dedicated to bringing more performances and meaningful projects to life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And most of all, I want to thank my beloved husband—our company’s brilliant legal advisor and my greatest supporter—for his unwavering belief in me every step of the way.

Website: https://www.angelslyricopera.com/