Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees
April 1, 2025—March 31, 2026

Click on names to see biographical information and photos.

Executive Committee

Barbara Ann Peters, President

Barbara Ann Peters has enjoyed a varied career as performing artist, collaborative artist (piano and organ), college instructor and arts administrator. Currently on voice faculty at UNCSA in the School of Drama, Barbara also maintains a private studio in Greensboro. The soprano completed the B.M. in Vocal Performance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee; the License de Concert Chant at L’école normale de Musique, Paris, and the M.M. at UNCG in Vocal Performance. A Boston native and a New York City transplant, Barbara and her late husband, artist R. David Westfall, settled in Greensboro in 1997. Barbara has sung on operatic stages, in concert halls, recital venues, college campuses, museums, churches and cathedrals across the US and Europe for over 45 years. Former students from her years of teaching and clinician work at UNC-CH, UNCG, HPU, Elon University, Meredith College, Boston Conservatory, Texas Christian University, among others, are now enjoying performing careers of their own. A founding faculty member of Berkshire Choral International (BCI), Barbara has served BCI for over 35 years. Long involved in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) organization, she has served as President and District Governor of NC-NATS and Regional Governor of the Mid-Atlantic Region. A Certified McClosky Voice Technician (CMVT), she works with clients to rehabilitate their voices and leads seminars in vocal health for The McClosky Institute of Voice. She remains an active advocate for the Arts at the local, state and national levels. Barbara returns to Greensboro Opera’s Board having served as its President in 2008 and Executive Director of the Company 2009-2011. She is the proud creator of “The Barbara Ann Peters Create Your Own Opera!” Contest.

Pam Cash, Past President; VP Personnel

Pam Cash

Pam Cash, Past President; VP Personnel

Pam Cash is a strategic leader, coach, and facilitator passionate about making positive things happen. As co-founder of Next Ascent LLC, she uses a strength-based approach to strategic planning, team building, employee engagement, and executive coaching. Her work empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to leverage Appreciative Inquiry and strengths-based discovery for breakthrough success. Pam is the executive director of the David and Claudia Babb Reich Family Foundation, collaborating with the family to open doors of opportunity in the community. She also serves on the Boards of Directors for Family Service of the Piedmont and the Greensboro Sports Council. Certified in Appreciative Inquiry and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Pam is a graduate of Leadership Greensboro and Guilford Nonprofit Consortium’s Board Academy. She holds a B.S. from Clemson and a M.S. from UNCG. Previously, she had a distinguished career as assistant dean at the UNCG Bryan School of Business and Economics.

Tom Wright, Treasurer; VP Finance; VP Legal

Tom Wright

Tom Wright, Treasurer; VP Finance; VP Legal

Tom was born and raised in High Point. He graduated from Haverford College then received his law degree from UNC-CH. He has practiced law at the same Greensboro law firm since 1975. He is a founding member of the Choral Society of Greensboro, held leadership positions, and is currently President. He has sung in choruses including GO, most recently in L’elisir d’amore, Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale and Eastern Music Festival. He serves on the board of Bel Canto Company. In addition to vocal music, he is a classical guitarist, and has recently taken up the violin(!?). Tom has served for many years on the Board of Trustees for Friends Homes, Inc., including as Board Chair. He is the President of New Garden Cemetery Association, Inc., and serves on the Board of Friends Fiduciary Corporation as the Chair of the Charitable Services Committee. He actively pursues his interest in windsurfing and sailing, plus many other activities. He and his wife Sarah have two grown sons, who are each musically talented.

Jennifer Bryant Pedersen, Recording Secretary

Jennifer Bryant Pedersen

Jennifer Bryant Pedersen, Recording Secretary

Dr. Jennifer Bryant Pedersen is a soprano and voice teacher as well as a North Carolina Realtor. Her performance highlights include a cabaret performance with composer and pianist, Rick Ian Gordon, Konstanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Birmingham. Jennifer has appeared as a soprano soloist in the complete version of Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s B minor Mass with members of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. She has been a guest lecturer and stage director with Druid City Opera Workshop and the University of Alabama Opera Theatre. She holds degrees from The University of Alabama (D.M.A.), The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (M.M.), and Christopher Newport University (B.M.). Dr. Pedersen’s voice students are frequently hired for regional productions in opera and musical theatre and have performed well at state and national competitions. She is a board member with the National Association of Teachers of Singing and National Opera Association.

Garrett Saake, VP Artistic Advisory

Garrett Saake

Garrett Saake, VP Artistic Advisory

Garrett Saake has been connected with Opera in Greensboro since arriving in town in 2008 to begin his Doctoral degree in Choral conducting. Garrett served as chorusmaster for several productions while attending UNCG and worked with Greensboro Opera as the conductor of Hansel and Gretel. Garrett and David Holley worked together to forge the relationship between Greensboro Opera and Well-Spring and continue to partner together to support the arts throughout the Triad. Garrett is happily married to Samantha and they love their two daughters, Brynn and Calla.

James Rushe, VP Development

James Rushe is a business development professional with a passion for helping organizations grow and succeed. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, he developed a deep appreciation for music, attending performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Opera Company—where he fondly recalls seeing his first opera, Madame Butterfly. He also enjoys playing guitar and piano, a lifelong hobby he continues today. With a background in education and leadership, James now works for Tax Protection Plus, a company specializing in services for accountants, primarily in the tax realm. He drives strategic partnerships, expands outreach initiatives, and creates growth opportunities that strengthen organizations within the accounting world.

Cliff Bridges, VP Marketing/Communications

Cliff Bridges

Cliff Bridges, VP Marketing/Communications

Cliff was born in Greensboro, and attended all 12 years at the Curry School. He graduated from Emory University and earned a MS in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington University. Previously, Cliff worked for Burlington Industries and The Polymer Group. In 2012, he established XEdge Communications Design & Sustainability with a focus on digital platforms and collaboration. He is the COO of Bridges-Law-Firm in San Francisco. He has served as a Board member for Sustain Charlotte, and as a Visiting Board Member for UNCG – corporate relationships. He and his wife Ann were the owners of Little Women stores in N.C. They have three grown children and ten grandchildren, and together they share a keen interest in entertaining, travel, theater, and gardening.

Ben McIndoe, VP Nominating

Ben McIndoe, a long-time payments industry professional, is President and CEO of Excelsior Payment Solutions. Ben focuses on strengthening and developing partnerships with small-to-medium-size businesses and evaluating new business to drive strategic growth. Prior to his career in Financial Services, he was an Executive with Karastan Rug Mills, now Mohawk Industries, in various sales and product management roles. Ben has been attending operas in the Triad area for the past 25 years. He first remembers taking his two now grown children, whom his wife Janet homeschooled, to the opera as part of their home-based education to experience live opera performances. They would do a Unit Study based on the opera they attended. Since then, he and his wife have taken hundreds of high school-aged youths to the opera. He enjoys touring the areas viticulture regions, is a devout backyard ornithologist, and is a Deacon at Christ Covenant Church. He is also on the Board of Trustees at Magnalia Foundation in Stokesdale.

Travis Alexander

Travis W. Alexander received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from UNCG. He has completed further summer study and master-classes in organ performance and conducting at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Harvard University’s Appleton Chapel. He is a professor and Director of Choral Music in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at North Carolina A & T State University. He has conducted performances at the WHITE HOUSE twice, at the John F. Kennedy Center, National Theater in Ghana and throughout London, Wales, Italy and Canada. A GRAMMY Educator of the Year nominee, he’s prepared choirs for Maestro James Meena and Opera Carolina, was National Conductor of the 105 Voices of History HBCU National Concert Choir and was the feature of a 3-part documentary by Black Issues Forum “A Maestro and His Chorus” on UNC-TV & on PBS. He has received Letters of Commendation for Musical Excellence from The White House, President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, the late Senator Kay Hagan, Columbus Ohio City Council, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, KAAMaCC and NC Music Educators Association.

Bill Allred

Bill Allred, a native of Greensboro, is a choral director and organist. Bill’s educational background includes a B.M. from Westminster Choir College, Master of Music from The NC School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from UNCG. Bill is the Organist-Choir Director at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church and the Director of the Burlington Boys Choir. He has prepared treble singers for the EMF Orchestra, Greensboro and Winston-Salem Symphonies, Greensboro Opera, and Capitol Opera. He has served on the board of the NC United Methodist All-State Youth Chorus and as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Boy Choirs for the NC American Choral Directors Association. He is a past dean of the Greensboro Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. For thirty years, he has been the volunteer director of the Friends Homes Ringers. He lives near Saxapahaw in southern Alamance County with his wife Alicia and their two rescued dachshunds.

Steven Bingham

Steve Bingham is Professor of Leadership Studies at Stout School of Education, High Point University, earlier at Gardner-Webb University, and Founding Editor of Journal of Organizational and Educational Leadership. As public-school director of instrumental music, Steve’s ensembles perennially won top ratings in regional and national competition. As a performer, Steve was vocalist/bassist/arranger with the Sally Ames Show, played electric bass with Red Skelton, Harry James Big Band, and numerous regional bands and orchestras. Currently, Steve plays double bass with the High Point University Community Orchestra and sings under the direction of Dr. Charles Hogan with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church choir. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music Education at UNCG as well as his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Steve and wife Deb live in Jamestown.

Deborah Bowers

Deborah (“Deb”) Bowers is a mom of two sons, an attorney (for the last 35+ years), and an avocational choral singer with the Gate City Voices. She is originally from Texas and is a proud graduate of the University of Texas. Deb and her husband, Greg, came to North Carolina over 25 years ago via the northeast, where she had the good fortune to meet Barbara Peters and become fast friends. Deb spends her free time traveling whenever and wherever possible, and when here, loves walking her golden retriever, Della, at the beautiful parks and trails in our wonderful “Boro”. Deb is an opera fan and is honored to be included as part of Greensboro Opera’s Board.

Aimee De Poortere

Aimee De Poortere holds a BS from Emory University, an MS from Creighton School of Medicine, and is a seasoned leader in the health and wellness space. Aimee brings a deep commitment to community service and a passion for empowering others through education, wellness, and the arts. She has served on multiple nonprofit and school boards, always focused on creating opportunities for growth, learning, and well-being. As a parent of young adults who were active in the performing arts (including orchestra, theater, and voice), Aimee has seen firsthand how the arts inspire creativity, confidence, and joy. Through her professional and volunteer work, she remains dedicated to making a meaningful impact, fostering physical and mental wellness, and strengthening the community.

Lenny Sue French

Born in upstate NY, graduated from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY with a degree in Music Education. Graduated from State University of New York at Potsdam with a Master of Science in Education. Currently in her 34th year of public-school teaching, she has taught math, science, drama, chorus and band. Team Advisor /Mentor of student teams in science competitions sponsored by the U.S. Army, Student Spaceflight Experiment Program and Boy Scouts U.S.A. Flew two experiments in space. One aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour and One on the International Space Station via Cygnus. Presented at the Smithsonian Institute and worked on a project for NASA. Director of award-winning choirs. Girl Scout Gold Award winner and lifetime member. Music Director at various churches. Winner of the William D. Mendenhall Humanitarian Award. Recognized by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who in the World.

Gene Klann

Gene Klann is a retired U.S. Army officer who served on active duty for twenty-six years and in three conflicts. After retirement he earned a Ph.D. in the field of moral philosophy and worked as a faculty member and program manager at the Center for Creative Leadership. He has written and published six books. He is married with two adult children.

Gerald Knight

Gerald R. Knight, tenor, is a graduate of The Florida State University (Ph.D. in Music Education and Conducting); the University of South Carolina (Master of Music Education and the Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance); and Benedict College (Bachelor of Science in Music Education). Knight is an Associate Professor of Music and serves as Coordinator of Music Education, Director of the Elon University Chorale, and Director of the Music in the Village, a successful community outreach project that received the Chapter of Excellence Award from the North Carolina Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education. Knight has sung in master classes during the Mozarteum Internationale Sommerakademie at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg in Salzburg, Austria. In the summer of 2012 Knight appeared in recital for the 2012 season of the Salzburg International Chamber Music Concert Series in Salzburg, Austria. The recital was dedicated to the works of American and African American composers. In addition, he has studied voice with renowned opera singer and Kennedy Center Honoree Grace Bumbry for the past 8 years. Knight’s scholarship focus is the research and performance of music of Black composers, multicultural music, the music of lesser-known or unknown composers of color, and newly composed music.

Nicholas Lindsay

Nicholas Lindsay is a native of Greensboro and graduated from UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics in 2018. With this background, he now serves as a Grants System Administrator with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. For the past several years he has been involved with professional organizations including Toastmasters, Summit Rotary Club, and Junior Achievement of the Triad. He is an active member of the Christian faith community and was the student president of Cru Campus Ministry during his tenure at UNCG. By extension, he enjoys volunteering with his church, helping lead small group functions with other young adults. In his free time, he can be found hiking, traveling, trying new foods, and attempting to become an average pickle ball player. Nicholas considers it a great honor to have been invited to Greensboro Opera’s board.

Alexia Maas

Alexia Maas is an international executive, lawyer, and author whose career bridges global leadership and the performing arts. She last served as the Chief Legal Officer for Volvo Financial Services, part of the Volvo Group, leading the global legal and compliance operations for this regulated finance company with operations across 48 countries and $25bn managed assets. A former professional ballet dancer and lifelong supporter of the arts, Alexia is passionate about the power of the arts to transform lives and strengthen communities. So much so that she put that passion into action and launched Triad International Ballet, a regional nonprofit with a vision to bring the love of ballet to everyone. An iconic institution now recognized for artistic excellence, community engagement and being a leading force in developing the careers of its dancers and preserving the history of classical ballet. In addition to being the Co-Founder, she also served as Executive Director for 5 years. As she launched Triad Ballet, Alexia founded Maas Leadership LLC, an advisory firm she created to help others leverage Strategy & Vision, enable High Impact Results and Successful Transformation, and empower Leaders to Achieve More by Doing Less – the key tenets from her book – Stealing Back TIME – in which she teaches her readers to reclaim focus, purpose, and creativity in an increasingly complex world. In her spare time – which she has mastered how to find and protect! – she still dances ballet herself and loves peaceful walks with her little dog Coco. Alexia is honored to serve on the Greensboro Opera Board of Trustees and looks forward to contributing to this wonderful organization and helping advance its mission in the years to come.

Brian Pulliam

Brian Pulliam is a lifelong entrepreneur whose journey began with a hobby store in his youth and has since evolved into a 30-year career as the owner of Importacar. With expertise in operations, marketing, sales, and innovation, he is passionate about delivering exceptional client experiences. A recent MBA graduate from UNCG’s Bryan School of Business, Brian was recognized with Honors and inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. He also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Greensboro College, graduating summa cum laude. Originally from Eden, he has called Greensboro home for over 20 years and enjoys time with family, friends, and his two pups, Spencer and Zeke. Brian’s introduction to opera came in 2022 when his MBA branding class partnered with Greensboro Opera. Experiencing La Bohème for the first time was transformative, sparking a deep appreciation for the art form. That moment left a lasting impact, and he is honored to serve on the Greensboro Opera board. With gratitude and enthusiasm, he looks forward to supporting and enhancing opera’s presence in the community.

Kenneth E. Sigmon, Jr.

Prior to his retirement in January 2025, Ken served as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at North Carolina A&T State University, where he led the most successful capital campaign of any public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) with over $181 million raised. Ken has served as Vice President of Development at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, as well as Associate Vice Chancellor for University Development at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. He joined the University from The North Carolina Textile Foundation where he served as Executive Director. He left his alma mater, The Citadel, as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of The Citadel Foundation, having joined that organization as the Director, Alumni Annual Fund and Donor Relations. Prior to joining The Citadel Foundation staff, he served in the U.S. Air Force and held positions with Merrill Lynch and Roadway Services, a global logistics and transportation provider. Throughout his career, Ken has successfully led capital campaigns ranging from $100 million to $1 billion with his diverse professional background in development and foundation management. Ken and his wife Alison have two children – Emily and Ethan. A native North Carolinian, Ken is a 1985 graduate of The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and completed his Master’s in Business Administration from The Citadel in 1994. Ken’s civic and professional activities include service as a Former Trustee, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, former Chair, Development Committee, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, former Co-Chair, The Loyalty Fund, First Baptist Church School, Member, Frontier Chapter of Rotary International, George F. Hixson Fellow, Kiwanis International, Distinguished Past President, Kiwanis Club of Charleston, Co-Chair, The Citadel Class of 1985 Reunion and Development Committee, Member, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Life Member, The Citadel Alumni Association.

Jaclyn Surso

Jaclyn Surso is an Adjunct Professor of Voice at High Point University and is a founder of private music studio Davis Surso Music. She maintains an active singing career. Jaclyn completed a Professional Artist Certificate with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in vocal performance at The Cleveland Institute of Music. There she performed the role of Magda in Menotti’s The Consul, Rosalinda in Strauss’s Die Fledermaus and Sandrina in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera, in which, “Jaclyn Surso lacked nothing in vocal power and agility, conveying Violante/Sandrina’s emotional turmoil,” (William Walker of CVNC). Favorite roles that she has performed both around the country and abroad are the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and Desdemona in Otello. She continues to be the musical director and conductor of performances in the area.

Advisory Council

Janet Hendley, Advisory Council Chair; Special Assistant to the General & Artistic Director

Janet Hendley, Advisory Council Chair

Janet Hendley, Advisory Council Chair; Special Assistant to General & Artistic Director

Janet Hendley grew up in England and moved to Goldsboro, NC in 1985 for a 3-year work assignment with her former husband. They spent 13 years in the Bay Area before moving to Greensboro in 2001. She became a US citizen in 2009. She has an adult son and wife in Chapel Hill who produced Janet’s first grandchild in 2020, and another son in NC. Janet first joined GO board in 2008 and has served until 2022 as: President, Secretary, Treasurer, VP of Special Events, VP of Education, Co-Chair of the Nominating Committee. She has no musical ability but is passionate about opera, dance, symphony and the theatre. Originally a high school and college English teacher, Janet was an entrepreneur before coming to work at UNCG School of Nursing from 2006 until she retired in 2017. She mentored several UNCG Guarantee students, was a breast cancer mentor with Cone Alight program, and remains an avid gardener, seamstress and woodworker.

Anna Clare Allen

Anna Clare Allen was a voice major at Wesleyan College & Conservatory for Women in Macon Ga. She studied voice at Hollins College and later worked with the opera coach at Curtis Institute. She was married for 61 years and has 4 sons, 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She is a member of the St. Francis Episcopal Church choir, is a volunteer at Urban Ministries, and has served a number of years on the Bel Canto Company Board and served a term as president of the Board. She has been involved for many years with Greensboro Opera, serving first as VP of Education and serving two terms as Board President. She has also served as President of Greensboro Opera Companions.

Jane Curtis

Born in Northampton County, North Carolina, graduated from Jackson High School and from Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Music Education. She was one of two members of the first Opera Program at Woman’s College School of Music. She met her husband while at Woman’s College and remained in Greensboro until her move to Climax, NC in 1976. She has taught piano, Kindermusic, children choirs and was a soloist in the Chancel Choir of Christ United Methodist Church for many, many years as well as other venues. Jane served on many music related boards including Greensboro Opera where she won the Jane Armfield award in 2006. She served on the board of Greensboro Lecture League and as Regent of Guilford Battle Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. After her retirement she has become a community volunteer using her computer skills where needed and works with the Board of Elections as Chief Judge in her Precinct. She is married to Doug Curtis, owner of Curtis Packing Company, maker of Beefmaster franks, etc.

Keith Cushman

Keith Cushman grew up in Salina, Kansas, where his father was the public librarian. After graduating from Harvard, he spent a year in India on a Fulbright teaching program and a year teaching at a university in Bangkok. After receiving his Ph.D. in English from Princeton he taught at the University of Chicago before teaching in the English Department at UNCG from 1976 through spring 2014. His academic specialty is the writings of D. H. Lawrence. He has lectured on Lawrence and modern American poetry in Finland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, India, Japan, and Korea. He is married to Deb Bell, a retired Professor of Theatre at UNCG. His two daughters and their families live in the western suburbs of Boston. He writes the program notes for both Greensboro Opera and UNCG Opera Theatre. In early 2021, he presented three virtual talks titled “Porgy and Bess: From Novel to Play to Opera” for Greensboro Opera. He has seen 248 different operas (but who’s counting?), most of them multiple times.

Bert Davis, Jr.

A native of Greensboro, Bert Davis Jr. graduated from Page High School in 1979 and earned his BM in piano performance from the Oberlin Conservatory in 1984. After a brief stint as a staff accompanist at the NC School of the Arts, he realized the music profession wasn’t for him and eventually became a CPA in 1995. Since then he has worked with nonprofits, governments and healthcare providers around the country as an auditor, CFO and consultant. Bert is currently the owner of Davis Forensic Group which provides financial investigation services to attorneys and their clients. He is also a partner in Smith Davis Advisory Group which provides investment banking services to small businesses. Bert has served on numerous local nonprofit boards including Greensboro Opera, Rotary Club of Greensboro, Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art, Greensboro Symphony and the Guilford Green Foundation. In addition to a lot of classical piano playing, Bert enjoys hiking, attending classical music performances and studying American history.

Jacquelyn Farlow

Born in Winchester, VA, graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Was the National Alumnae President and founder of Converse Showcase and Alumni House. Received the Distinguished Alumnae and Converse 500 Award. Founded Classic Interior and Landscape Designs in 1990. A founding board member of Greensboro Opera and Co-President in the Falstaff year. Began the Jane Armfield Award which was written by Alice Isaacson and received the award in 2005. Girl Scout leader. Chaired several committees: Soirees, Playbill, Meet the Artists Events, Nominating, Membership, Development, Production, Hospitality, Opera Camp at Bennett College. Served as President and Co-President of the Opera Companions. Served on various committees at First Presbyterian: Elder and Chair of Lay Ministry, Outreach Committee, Nominating, New Members. Other committees: Chair of Jr. Great Book Classes at Junior League; Chair of Art on Paper and Teas at the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Served as 2nd President of Parents Council at Greensboro Day School. 1st Green and Gold Day fundraiser. Co- founded Greensboro Junior Assembly Dance for Youth which is still going

Fred Lopp

I first experienced live opera in the 40’s. In the 50’s I watched the “Firestone Hour” weekly. In the 70’s I listened to the Texaco Saturday afternoon operas. My involvement as an attendee at GO began in 1981 and I joined the Board in 2003. Over the years I served on the Nominating, Playbill, Artistic Concerns, and the By-Laws Committees. I chaired the Special Events, Personnel, Finance, as well as lead the Search Committee for our first and second GM. I served on the Executive Committee for three years. I have continued my involvement by serving on the Advisory Council since I left the Board.

Corrie Middleton

I was born and grew up in Greensboro. I went to the UNC at Chapel Hill as an undergraduate, stayed to complete a Masters in Education. I have been a school counselor in Baltimore County, Guilford County, and Henry County schools. I don’t remember a time in my life when I did not love music. My grandmother had a beautiful voice, and I grew up knowing that everyone in my mother’s family sang and played the piano. My daughter, Kate, is presently an actress in New York City and auditioning for plays, doing voice-overs, and being artistic director of her theater company, Ground Up Productions. I have always enjoyed opera, and I’m so proud to have been a part of the Greensboro Opera Board. My personal experience of singing was only with the Grimsley choir, so I don’t think that counts for a lot except that back in the day we really worked hard to be a part of that choir.

Mary Miller

I am not a musician, but I have sung Christmas songs in Latin with a small audience. I am a traveler and have visited 50 countries and many islands including Greenland and the lovely Galapagos Islands, as well as Antarctica. As a long-time volunteer for Greensboro Opera, I served with the Greensboro Opera Companions for many years and three years as President. I also served on the Greensboro Opera Board as VP and Co-VP of Special Events. In 2018, I won Greensboro Opera’s Jane Harris Armfield Award for Distinguished Service. Education: Undergraduate at Guilford College. Masters at LSU Baton Rouge. Further graduate study: UNC-CH; University of Texas. I have studied seven languages. I am the mother of a son in Panama and a grandson in Paris; a daughter and granddaughter in NC.

Barbara Moran

1950s—Suburban NYC childhood, prepared for future Greensboro Opera service (!) by seeing original casts of plays from Golden Age of musical theatre. 1960s—After Cornell,’60— taught at colleges in Boston and Ann Arbor. Married Bill Moran. 1970s—Raised four children on college campuses for twenty-five years, Bill as chancellor, first in Michigan, then North Carolina. Mentored eight inner-city children for a decade. 1980s, ’90s—Professional storyteller, programs for children and adults. Published essays, reviews, poems, stories. Taught children’s literature, UNCG, gave teacher workshops. 2008—Published Voices of the Silent Generation (Avisson Press), also poetry in anthologies, periodicals. 2021—Collection of 130 poems and stories in verse called What Just Happened, published in spring of 2021 by Bonventura Press. 2023—A wonderful year working as Elvira Green’s ghost writer. Elvira: Behind the Curtain, the story of Elvira’s remarkable life, published in fall, 2023. 2025 —Working on final book, a collection of stories and poems from her storytelling performances. Thoroughly enjoyed connections with Greensboro Opera as it continues to make invaluable contributions to life in Greensboro.

Clyde Nolan, Archivist

Clyde Nolan

Clyde Nolan, Archivist

I grew up in Shelby, NC, where I studied piano with a Latvian concert pianist from the Riga Conservatory and played brass in the high school band. After nine years I came to the realization that good intentions and hard work could not overcome a paucity of talent so I gave all that up. My first opera, Tosca, at age 10 brings back fond memories. After graduating from Yale and UNC and spending time at UK and UVA, we settled in Greensboro in 1979 where I practiced dermatology. With my late wife Sallie we became involved early on with the Greensboro Opera Company. Previously, I served several years on the board with several years as treasurer. In the mid 90’s, Sallie and I were directors of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions for NC for three years. My other interests have been the NC Museum of Art and the English-Speaking Union. I’m looking forward to getting involved again.

Kathryn Troxler

Born and raised in California, Kathryn Troxler holds a BA from UC Berkeley (History) and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the Sonoma State College Humanistic Psychology program. She sang with UC Berkeley’s Collegia Musicum and was a church soloist for 15 years. In 1982, she, her husband and two daughters moved to Greensboro where they designed and built their home. She served on local non-profit boards, the Guilford County Watershed Study Committee and several statewide environmental committees. She sang with the Bel Canto Company, New Garden Choir, Choral Society and the Spiritual Renaissance Singers of Greensboro. She co-founded the New Garden Poetry Group and her collection of poems, Tuning, received a Five Star Reader’s Favorite rating and Silver Medal in 2017. She took classes and workshops in art and had a solo show at The Artery Gallery in Greensboro in 2018. From 1992 – 2016, she practiced psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy. She served on Greensboro Opera’s board from 2016-2022 and as VP of Nominating Committee from 2017–2022. kathrynbeamtroxler.com.

Nancy Walker

Nancy Walker was born and raised in Nebraska where she went to Hastings College and taught K-12 vocal music in a small town. After earning the MM in voice at University of Colorado, she taught at Stephens College in Columbia, MO and met Tim Lindeman. After marrying, they went to Indiana University and finished their doctorates on the “out-patient” plan (every summer for seven years). She taught at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota for two years, then arrived in Greensboro to teach at UNCG from 1985-2018. She has a great love for teaching young (and sometimes not so young) people to sing. Nancy is a member of Euterpe Music Club of Greensboro and sings in the New Garden Friends Meeting choir. Tim and Nancy have performed together (piano and voice) since they met, and they love to travel. They have two grown daughters, Kelsey and Chloe, who live in Greensboro and Baltimore respectively.

Lollie White

Laurie “Lollie” Lake White is a native of Greensboro. She was a member of the Opera Board from 2010 until 2021 and has been active on many committees: Nominating, Education and Special Events. She has been keenly interested in helping with Opera Camp under the leadership of Elvira Green. She received the Jane Armfield Award in 2017. She sings in the First Baptist Church choir. She is retired from UNCG, where she was a Lecturer in English, Assistant Director of the Honors College, and Director of Development for the College.

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Board of Trustees