Meet the Student: Q&A with Mezzo-Soprano Kate Li

Mezzo-soprano Kate Li, from Shanghai, China, entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2023 and studies voice with Dolora Zajick. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Ms. Li is the Nellie Lee Bok Fellow.

Tell us about your journey to Curtis. When did you decide you wanted to study opera and classical voice?
Being at Curtis has been absolutely unreal; we’re all one big family, and with the professional education I get every day, I’m not only growing as a musician but as a person as well. I decided that I wanted to study opera and classical voice professionally around the age of 14, but I’ve been interested in how wonderful classical voice could be starting from a very young age. The most memorable experience I’ve had was the first opera I’ve ever watched live at the Beijing Opera House; it was a showing of Verdi’s Aida. The production was breathtaking, and because of that, I quickly developed an interest in classical singing.

What mezzo roles are you looking forward to learning and performing in the future, and why?
I’m really looking forward to learning and performing Charlotte from Jules Massenet’s Werther. I’m far from getting there, but I can’t wait for the endless possibilities of emotional and technical musical approaches to this role. Another mezzo-soprano role I’m interested in is Cherubino from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. The pants roles are so fun to perform and sing because of the ranges and the differences, plus Cherubino always makes me giggle.

Watch Kate Li perform “Il mio bel foco… Quella fiamma” by Benedetto Marcello at the 2023 National YoungArts Week.

Photos of Kate Li by Nichole MCH Photography.