Native of China, and grew up in the Philippines, Judy Stafford has garnered top prizes for numerous competitions on and off-campus representing her school and as a national contestant. She began formal lessons in voice after winning the first singing competition she joined in second grade.
Stafford not only excelled in singing, but also in essay-writing, Chinese calligraphy, oratorical, and declamation. She was a representative of the Philippines for the Song Festival in Bangalore, India as her first traveling performance.
Her musical performances include Satine, from Moulin Rouge the Musical, presented by ABS-CBN, a local television channel in Manila; in Merrily We Roll Along, as a member of the Repertory Philippines; as well as in South Pacific, presented by the YMCA Chinese Society of Manila.
Stafford pursued a music degree in college years and received her undergraduate studies majoring in Voice and minor in Piano at University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Maestra Irma Ponce-Enrile Potenciano.
She was offered a full scholarship with stipend to continue her studies in Hong Kong. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Voice with Honors at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, with Brian Montgomery (Head of Vocal Studies) as her mentor. She received her Master in Music degree in Vocal Performance at New England Conservatory, with the Canadian baritone Mr. Michael Meraw.
In addition to receiving The Academy Non-Local Scholarship from APA, Scholarships for Young Opera Singers, The Society of APA Non-Local Scholarship, Student Scholarship Fund, The Brenda and Laurence Scofield Scholarship Fund, and New England Conservatory Scholarship and Merit Award, Stafford had support from among other generous private (sometimes anonymous) donors throughout her education.
While in Hong Kong, she performed both Mainland China and Philippine's National Anthem in the 111th year Independence Day of the Philippines hosted by the Philippine Consulate General, wherein many countries' ambassadors and consul generals gathered to celebrate.
Aside from having her own private music studio, Stafford is a mom to two daughters, and she homeschools using Montessori. She speaks four languages - English, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Fukien (and Taiwanese) fluently. When not performing/teaching and spending time with family, she enjoys reading and learning new things on her free time (what free time?! 😆).