Dr. Joung-A Monica Yum is a distinguished choral conductor, vocalist, and scholar from South Korea, serving as the Music Director at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Los Angeles. With a deep passion for sacred music, she leads the church’s music ministry, overseeing the Schola Cantorum, Caritas Choir, and parish ensembles to enrich the liturgy and foster a spiritually transformative musical experience.
Dr. Yum earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from UCLA, where she studied under Dr. James Bass. She also trained with Dr. Craig Hella Johnson at Texas State University, shaping her innovative approach to choral artistry. Her research, Recontextualizing Diverse Vocal Traditions Using Extended Vocal Technique Notation and Symbology: A Case Study Using Korean Pansori Singing Style, explores the integration of extended vocal techniques into contemporary choral composition, bridging diverse musical traditions.
As part of her work at St. Paul the Apostle, Dr. Yum directs the Schola Cantorum, a professional ensemble dedicated to the rich tradition of Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, and sacred choral masterworks. She also leads the Caritas Choir, a vibrant ensemble that embraces both contemporary sacred music and traditional hymnody, occasionally collaborating with the St. Paul the Apostle School Children’s Choir.
Beyond her role at St. Paul the Apostle, Dr. Yum is the founder and artistic director of the Adoro Ensemble (www.adoroensemble.com), an innovative vocal ensemble dedicated to presenting historically informed and cross-cultural performances. She has also received international recognition, including being a finalist in the 2022 Fosco Corti International Competition, participating in the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute at the Aspen Music Festival, and serving as a guest conductor for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s Conducting Symposium.
With a commitment to both tradition and innovation, Dr. Yum continues to inspire musicians and parishioners alike, elevating the role of sacred music in worship and fostering a deep connection between faith and artistry.
