Soprano Lynn Kang (BM ’27) is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Arts at Manhattan School of Music, where she studies under Professor Mark Schnaible. Recognized for her expressive artistry and captivating stage presence, she seeks to connect with audiences through the emotional depth and storytelling of her performances.
Originally from Seoul, Lynn began her musical training at Sunhwa Arts School and continued at Interlochen Arts Academy, where she developed a strong foundation in vocal technique and performance. In the summer of 2025, she appeared as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Chautauqua Institution, where she worked with Maestro Watanabe and soprano Carol Vaness—an experience that deepened her operatic artistry and stagecraft. She will return to Chautauqua in the summer of 2026 to perform Pamina in Die Zauberflöte.
In 2025, Lynn founded The Salon, a student-led project presenting innovative performances that integrate music, literature, and visual art, inspired by the 19th-century European salon tradition. She also serves as a Metropolitan Opera Student Ambassador for the 2025–26 season, promoting opera and fostering engagement among diverse audiences.
Lynn continues to pursue excellence in all aspects of her artistic development, creative collaboration, and meaningful performance experiences that connect people and enrich society.
Soprano Ashley Manocchi is a junior Vocal Arts major at Manhattan School of Music, where she studies under the tutelage of Ruth Golden. In the summer of 2025, she joined the Brevard Music Center, covering Cendrillon in Cendrillon (Viardot) and performing Papagena in The Magic Flute. That same year, she was recognized as a finalist in the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition, marking an important milestone in her growing performance career.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Ashley is an enthusiastic and engaged member of the MSM community. She currently serves as the Media and Communications Manager for the Student Government Association, contributes her creative skills to the Design Office, and actively supports student-led performance initiatives.
Ashley recently joined The Salon, a collaborative project that celebrates the intersection of music, literature, and visual art. Through her work with The Salon, she combines her passion for artistry and communication, helping to shape the project’s creative identity and outreach.
She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her peers and thanks the audience for their support of this new artistic venture.
Soprano Charlotte Yang is a sophomore Vocal Arts major at Manhattan School of Music, where she studies with Professor Cynthia Hoffmann. She has appeared in student recitals and opera scenes, earning recognition for her clear tone, expressive phrasing, and thoughtful musical interpretation.
Dedicated to creative collaboration and arts leadership, Charlotte co-founded The Salon with Lynn Kang. This student-led performance initiative reimagines the spirit of 19th-century salons, offering young artists opportunities to explore innovative programming, interdisciplinary performance, and professional collaboration.
Through The Salon, Charlotte strives to foster an intimate, supportive artistic community that encourages both personal and musical growth. She continues to balance her rigorous vocal studies with creative projects that reflect her passion for connection, storytelling, and artistic excellence.
Lynn Kang (BM ’27), Coordinator Ashley Manocchi (BM ’27), Charlotte Yang (BM ’28),
The Salon is a new performance series created to revive the spirit of 19th-century artistic gatherings—intimate evenings where music, poetry, and theatre came together in conversation and creativity. This first installment features opera scenes and dramatic monologues performed by MSM undergraduate students in an immersive, salon-style setting. With creative staging and 360° audience seating, the performance aims to foster a sense of connection and immediacy between artists and audience.
Free, no tickets required
Rahm Hall Manhattan School of Music 130 Claremont Avenue New York, New York 10027
Lynn: Last summer, Charlotte and I thought it would be meaningful to create a performance series with friends at MSM in a creative way something reminiscent of a 19th-century salon. I’ve always loved the feeling of sharing emotions through performance and creating special moments that happen only in live music. We wanted a space where we could experiment, collaborate, and bring people together, and designing this performance felt like the perfect way to make something fun, intimate, and artistically curious with our friends.
Ashley: Seeing Lynn and Charlotte’s dedication to this project really excited me, so when they asked me to come on board, knew I couldn’t say no. My colleagues inspire me every day, and I’m so excited to be a part of this team.
Charlotte: The Salon Part I is a student-led project where we bring back the cozy, intimate feeling of 19th-century salons through opera scenes and musical selections.
Back then, salons were small gatherings where people shared music, art, and good conversations. We wanted to recreate that warm atmosphere for our own community, and we’d love for you to join us for this relaxed, inviting evening of music.
Lynn: We’ll be performing opera scenes from Mozart, Rossini, Offenbach, and Massenet, as well as musical theatre scenes from My Fair Lady and Company. The program shows a wide range of styles — playful, dramatic, lyrical, and comedic — all connected by the idea of storytelling in an intimate space.
Ashley: These are selections from the repertoire that we all love and felt would read well “in the round.” It combines so many different emotions and personalities that the performers are able to convey really well!
Charlotte: We hope to bring you something different from the usual stage performance—an experience where you feel immersed and part of the scene. Our selections also span a variety of styles, allowing you to feel the joy, anger, sorrow, and delight of each character. It’s going to be a wonderful evening!
Lynn: I believe a great performance often feels as if the artist is improvising — even when everything is carefully prepared. That sense of spontaneity and “living in the moment” is something I hope our audience experiences. I want them to feel an intimate connection, almost as if they’re part of the performance themselves. With the 360° staging, every audience member will have a unique viewpoint and personal experience. My hope is that they leave feeling the closeness, sincerity, and organic energy that a true salon setting creates.
Ashley: I hope they feel inspired to reclaim their relationship with music! Music should be fun and collaborative, and I hope people feel drawn to create more authentic and genuine art.
Charlotte: I hope you’ll feel the charm of the salon this evening—gathering together, connecting with us, and enjoying the music!
Lynn: For next semester, I’m looking forward to The Salon: Part II. We’re hoping to perform newly arranged German Lieder for string quartet, piano quintet, and singers. We’re also hoping to bring the program outside of MSM and connect with a broader audience, while still keeping the heart of The Salon — intimacy, communication, and creative collaboration.
I was inspired to develop this program after listening to Sumi Jo’s Ich liebe dich and Lea Desandre’s Songs of Passion — both albums are truly beautiful and highly recommended!
Ashley: I’m looking forward to my independent study lecture recital on December 7th @ 4:00 in Pforzheimer on the relationship of Clara and Robert Schumann! I’m also really looking forward to continuing our collaborative journey next semester with The Salon: Part II. We hope to bring together instrumentalists and singers on our next program!
Charlotte: We’re also planning The Salon: Part II, which will feature German Lieder and a string quartet. It will continue in the same salon-inspired style, and we hope to share it with you next semester!
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