Judy Lim, a Degree Two student at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, has won second prize at the Paolo Tosti singing competition in Nara, Japan.
Her success has enabled her to become one of the only five representatives from Asia to compete at the International Francesco Paolo Tosti Singing Competition held Italy in 2008.
With this victory Lim has received an invitation not only to the world finals of the Tosti competition, but also to study at the Tosti Institute for a month next summer, learning Italian opera, and the Tosti method.
She is excited about studying in Italy as because it will be her first time travelling out of Asia. 'I look forward to learning new vocal techniques,' she says.
Lim's interest in vocals began after an unexpected victory at a school competition when she was in grade two. 'No one knew I could sing!' she recalls. Her mother, encouraged by her triumph, searched a vocal teacher to develop her talent.
Since then, Lim has been training for several hours each day and sees her career developing in vocals. She is working towards her Bachelor's degree, studying with the HKAPA head of Vocal Studies, Brian Montgomery.