Malaysia soprano Cecilia Yap is currently an active singer in the country’s musical scene. An alumnus of Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Rome, Yap’s vocal style is in the vein of the Italian bel canto tradition, taught to her by renowned singers Lorraine Nawa Jones Marenzi, and Arte Scenica opera directors Marcello Ferroni and Marcella Govoni, to name a few.
While in Italy, Yap won the 7th Cascinalirica International Vocal Competition (1994), in which she was the only Asian finalist.
The country’s magazine L’Opera described Yap as a singer with a “dramatic flair, refined vocal expression and interpretation.”
She has been invited to perform in operas, religious dramas, concerts, and masterclasses, with her presence extending to various locations throughout Malaysia, as well as countries and regions worldwide, including Italy, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Cologne in Germany, the United States (Los Angeles, Texas, Orlando, New Jersey, Washington), New Zealand, Australia, China, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and more.
In 2008, Yap performed in Singapore the Asian premiere of Handel’s Gloria (HWV deest), on invitation by the Hallelujah Oratorio Society.
In 2015, Yap performed Bach’s Magnificat in D, BWV243 and Cantata BWV137 with Aula Simfonia Jakarta, under the baton of internationally-acclaimed Bach scholar and interpreter Masaaki Suzuki.
Currently, Yap is the Vocal Director of Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO), where she has directed in productions of Puccini’s La Boheme (2016), Donizetti’s Le fille du Regiment (2017) and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (2017), Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (2018).
On 29th January 2018, Yap was awarded the honourary title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by His Excellency Ambassador of Italy Cristiano Maggipinto at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in Kuala Lumpur, presented on behalf of the President of Italy. The accolade is awarded to expatriates and foreigners for promoting Italian excellence, culture and prestige abroad.
served as a judge for the “2019 Hong Kong International Vocal Open Competition” and delivered a performance at the awards ceremony’s guest concert, which received thunderous applause from the audience. The Hong Kong International Musicians’ Association presented Yap with a letter of appointment and a medal, which were presented by the renowned composer and musician Mr. Chen Yonghua on behalf of the association.
Attended the Hong Kong International Musician Association’s 2019 Annual Banquet.
