Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees
April 1, 2024—March 31, 2025

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

As a strategic thinker, leader, coach and facilitator, Pam Cash has a passion for making positive things happen. Pam is the executive director of the David and Claudia Babb Reich Family Foundation where she works with the family to open doors of opportunity within the community. She is also co-founder of Next Ascent LLC, where she uses a strength-based methodology for strategic planning, team building, employee engagement, and executive coaching. Her approach empowers individuals, teams, and organizations with the ability to harness the power of appreciative inquiry and the discovery and development of strengths for creating breakthrough successes and preferred futures. Pam is certified in Appreciative Inquiry, is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, and is a graduate of Leadership Greensboro and Guilford Nonprofit Consortium’s Board Academy. She earned a B.S. from Clemson and a M.S. from UNCG. Previously, Pam had a distinguished career at the UNCG Bryan School as assistant dean.

Tom Wright, Treasurer

Tom Wright

Tom Wright, Treasurer

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, voice teacher, stage director and supporter of collaborative arts. 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.

Nancy Sanquist, VP Development

Nancy Sanquist

Nancy Sanquist, VP Development

Nancy J. Sanquist moved to Hobbs Studio in Greensboro from Del Mar, California in 2019. She retired as an executive working in strategy for international technology companies specializing in software for the built environment and was a hybrid worker, being remote, as well as working in offices in San Diego, Santa Monica/Los Angeles, Long Beach, Boston, New York City, London, Tokyo and Amsterdam during her long career. She has spoken at many US and international conferences and has been published in books, peer reviewed journals and industry periodicals. Nancy previously served on the Board of Directors of Watts Towers, the LA Conservancy, Friends of the Schindler House, IFMA Foundation and the Del Mar Village Association. She is currently a Senior Adviser to the Board of the IFMA Foundation, Chair of their Knowledge Committee and member of their UN NGO Task Force, as well as a member of the IFMA Research Advisory Committee based in Copenhagen. Music has played a key part of her life as she grew up near New York City and was able to take advantage of the opera, theater, concerts and jazz venues growing up. Her latest work is as an activist for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, a book review column for an IFMA journal and writing a book on her experiences on the American artist Andrew Wyeth’s islands in Maine. She holds degrees from UCLA, Bryn Mawr College and Columbia University in the history of art and preservation architecture and taught at UCLA, Lafayette and Muhlenberg Colleges and the University of San Diego.

Hallie Hogan, VP Education

Hallie Hogan

Hallie Hogan, VP Education

Dr. Hallie Coppedge Hogan is an Associate Professor at Elon University where she is the Chair of the Music Department and teaches studio voice to Music and Performing Arts students. Applauded by the online journal Classical Voice North Carolina for her “warm mezzo soprano” and her “gamut of emotions,” Dr. Hogan has appeared as a soloist with organizations such as Illinois Opera Theatre, the Louisville Bach Society, the Oratorio Society of Champaign-Urbana, Prairie Fire Theatre, Stage II Children’s Theater, the Mozart Society of Winston-Salem, and the Fayetteville Orchestra. Dr. Hogan has performed internationally in a series of American and French art song recitals and as a featured soloist at the Vancouver International Song Institute. She also participated in “The Songs of Franz Schubert,” a tour of the entire collection of Schubert’s songs accompanied by the world-renowned vocal collaborator, John Wustman. In recent years, Dr. Hogan served as director of the Elon Opera Workshop overseeing productions of Gianni Schicchi by Puccini and Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck as well as several opera scene studies. Dr. Hogan resides in High Point with her husband Charles Hogan who is the Music Director at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Her daughter, Tess, will be graduating from Elon University in 2021 with a degree in Policy Studies.

Tom Wright, VP Finance; VP Legal

Tom Wright

Tom Wright, VP Finance; VP Legal

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.

Samuel Magill, VP Nominating

Samuel Magill

Samuel Magill, VP Nominating

Cellist Samuel Magill is a native of Chapel Hill and attended UNCSA for high school. He holds degrees from Baltimore’s Peabody Institute and the Shepherd School of Music of Rice University. He was a pupil of the late Zara Nelsova. Magill is the former Associate Principal Cello of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He was also a member of both the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Houston Symphony. Sam has been an active soloist and recitalist in the U.S., Japan, France, and Belgium, and has been a featured soloist in Tokyo’s famed Suntory Hall, and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Magill has received rave reviews for his 18 CDs, including his world premiere recording of Vernon Duke’s Cello Concerto, Franco Alfano’s Cello Sonata, and recordings of rarely heard works like the Sonata by Paul Paray. Fanfare Magazine enthused about Magill’s “…superb technique and range of color…” while the American Record Guide stated that his recording of the Duke Concerto was “…flat-out magnificent…”

Channelle James, VP Social Justice

Channelle James

Channelle James, VP Social Justice

Channelle D. James Ph.D. is a faculty member in the Bryan School of Business and Economics at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she teaches and does research in social and sustainable entrepreneurship. Channelle serves as the Dean’s Fellow for School Climate. She is a Professional Registered Parliamentarian and serves as the UNCG Faculty Senate and General Faculty Parliamentarian. Channelle is the President and Executive Director of Community Ventures Inc., a nonprofit startup focused on creating social good in Greensboro, North Carolina through entrepreneurship and social innovation. She is also the committee chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Piedmont Triad Chapter of Red Cross. Channelle publishes based on her research in sustainable/social entrepreneurship, diversity, and community support of entrepreneurship for vulnerable communities. Dr James is also a content creator focused on podcasts and online training to support sustainability and social justice.

Shayla Sharpe, VP Special Events

Shayla Sharpe

Shayla Sharpe, VP Special Events

Shayla is an Event Producer and co-owner of Sharpe Pursuits, Inc., a Full-Service Event Company based in Greensboro, North Carolina. She has 22 years of event experience and brings a creative ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to each event project. Shayla is an Alumna of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and is married to Desmond Sharpe. In her personal time, she enjoys great movies and spending time with friends and family.

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.

Micheline Chalhoub-Deville

I am a Professor at UNCG. My scholarship in the area of large-scale, standardized language testing has been recognized through awards such as the ETS TOEFL Outstanding Young Scholar Award, the UNCG School of Education Outstanding Senior Scholar Award, and in 2022 the international Charles A Ferguson Award for Outstanding Achievement. I have founded/co-founded associations/boards. At UNCG, I co-founded the Coalition for Diversity in Language and Culture and the SOE Faculty Access & Equity Committee. Greensboro has been home for 15 years. I have made a life in many places, including Beirut, London, Columbus, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Iowa City. On my travels, I tend to visit university campuses, holy sites, art museums, and opera houses. Occasionally, I do something crazy like bungee jumping! The Oslo Opera House and the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden are special to me. My other passions include reading, riding my Vespa, playing tennis, and hiking. Scotch is my favorite beverage and my canine companion. I joined the Board because communities

matter and opera helps create vibrant environments. Vive l’Opéra!

Odell Cleveland

Reverend Odell Cleveland founded America’s first faith-based community action agency, the Welfare Reform Liaison Project, two decades ago in Greensboro, North Carolina. What started out in a side annex of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where Odell now serves as chief administrative officer, grew into a $100 million nonprofit organization with an outsized impact on North Carolina’s most marginalized. Today, Odell is responsible for the day-to-day management of Greensboro’s 7,000-member Mount Zion Baptist Church. He handed over the reins of the Welfare Reform Liaison Project in 2013, two years after Oxford University Press published a history of WRLP that Odell co-authored, Pracademics and Community Change: A True Story of Nonprofit Development and Social Entrepreneurship During Welfare Reform.

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 243 different operas (but who’s counting?), most of them multiple times.

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.

David W. Karpook

David Karpook is a business executive, architect and writer who has recently made his home in Greensboro. He currently works as a consultant for Planon Corporation, an international software company based in the Netherlands. His prior experience includes time as President and CEO of Bricsnet FM America, and as chairman of the board of directors of OSCRE International. After graduating from Harvard University in 1978, David spent a decade working as a journalist for publications including The Orlando Sentinel and The New York Times. Returning to graduate school he earned a Master of Architecture at the University of Florida, then spent seven years working in that institution’s Department of Facilities Design & Construction Management, before taking on roles with several technology companies focused on management of the built environment. In these roles he has managed projects in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Recreational pursuits include playing piano, cooking, woodworking and membership in the Graham (NC) Center for Spiritual Living.

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.

Roberta Laws

Soprano Roberta Laws earned her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music. She has graced audiences on the opera stages of San Francisco, L.A, Seattle, Dallas, Portland, Anchorage, Opera Carolina, Opera Grand Rapids, and The Kennedy Center. Her operatic roles include heroines from Il Trittico, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Iris, L’amico Fritz, Mefistofele, Les Dialogues des Carmelites, Don Giovanni, Amahl and the Night Visitors and Porgy & Bess. Internationally, she has sung in the houses of Italy, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania, Bucharest, South Africa, South America, Mexico, Norway, and Russia. Ms. Laws’ concert career includes appearances with the Philadelphia and Cincinnati Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra, Naples and Rochester Philharmonic, and the Chicago, Detroit, Alabama, Pacific, Savannah, Virginia, Indianapolis, Winnipeg and Charleston Symphonies. In 2014, Ms. Laws joined the voice faculty of NC Central University where she presently serves as Voice Professor and Director of the University Choir.

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.

Ben McIndoe

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.

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.

John L. Palmer

John L. Palmer is a NC Central University graduate with a BA in music. He concentrated in voice under Dr. Charles Gilchrist and Dr. Gene Strassler. Dr. Earl Sanders taught him violin. He spent his childhood in High Point and Greensboro and graduated from Page High School where he studied violin under Luis Hrabovsky and Minnie Lou Raper. John attended the Governors School of NC in 1977 at Salem College. He studied music theory and voice under Sam Doyle. John recently sold his business after a 40-year career in insurance, 26 of them as owner of the John L. Palmer Insurance Agency of Allstate. John served as a Board Member at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for two terms during the planning, implementation, and construction of the new edifice as we know it today. He served as President of the Greensboro Alumni Chapter of NC Central University. John and his wife Paschelle of 30 years recently moved to Charlotte. Paschelle will enjoy the sweet life of retirement while John has embarked upon a new Real Estate career in Charlotte. They moved there to be near their one and only daughter, Erin.

James Rushe

James Rushe is a passionate educator, born and raised in Baltimore, MD. Growing up, he developed a deep appreciation for music, attending symphonies and operas with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Opera Company. It was there that he fondly remembers attending his first opera, Madame Butterfly. James also developed a love for playing music himself. He learned to play guitar and piano at a young age and continues to play in his personal time. James earned his B.A. in English and Education at Grove City College, where he also met his wife Julianna. Now living in Greensboro, James teaches 8th Grade ELA and mentors beginning teachers at a local charter school. He also works as an English content lead for National Heritage Academies, sharing his expertise by training both new and experienced teachers in emerging educational best practices.

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.

Matthew Troy

Matthew Troy is currently the Music Director of the Western Piedmont Symphony. He has conducted orchestras across the country including the North Carolina Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Portland Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, University of North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony, Salisbury Symphony and others. In the 2024-2024 season, he will debut with the Sarasota Orchestra and Tallahassee Symphony. As a violist, Troy is a member of Utah Festival Opera and Music Theater in the summer. Maestro Troy has previously served as Associate Conductor with the Winston-Salem Symphony and as Music Director of the Piedmont Wind Symphony. From 2010-2023 Troy was on the conducting staff of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic where he conducted over 150 performances. Troy has led performances with many internationally renowned artists, including Jennifer Koh, Tai Murray, Wu Man, Ben Folds, Boyz II Men, Pink Martini, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Midori, Judy Collins, Anthony Dean Griffey, Eileen Ivers, Texas Tenors, The Wailers and many others. Maestro Troy is known for innovative programming, innovative partnerships and support for music education.

Advisory Board

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.

David Bray

David is a mid-westerner (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan). He received a BBA from University of Michigan and MBA from Harvard. He worked for General Motors in California and Detroit, for Borden in Columbus and later held position of Treasurer at Cone Mills. He is a charter member of GO serving as both treasurer and as president. He was treasurer and VP of Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. He served on United Arts Council board and received the Vanguard Award. He served as treasurer for Chamber of Commerce. He served as President of Cerebral Palsy Board, Presbyterian Counselling Center, Child Care Ministry and is an elder of First Presbyterian. He is married to Nancy for 57 years and they have 3 children, Scott (CA), Jim (MD) & Laura (CT).

Vanessa Carroll

Vanessa Carroll is an active community volunteer in a wide spectrum of organizations and works on special projects for The Carroll Companies. She serves on the Board of Trustees at UNC Greensboro, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Board, the Greensboro Symphony Board of Directors, the Family Services of Greensboro Board of Trustees, the Triad Stage Board of Trustees and many more. Vanessa also holds leadership roles with the Tocqueville Society, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Operation Smile, and Make-A-Wish- Foundation.

Diane Conrad

Diane Conrad is a musician, arts enthusiast, community activist, and retired Special Education teacher. Diane earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UNCG, and later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Elon University. She has two children, both of whom live in Greensboro. She is a lover of many types of music including classical, opera, folk, and bluegrass, with a special interest in the music, dance, and culture of the Appalachian Mountains. Diane continues to expand her understanding and skills through participation in classes, workshops, private lessons, and playing music with informal and formal groups within our area. She plays the Hammered Dulcimer as her personal performance instrument. Fun Factoids: Sang and played guitar in a folk singing group in high school, was a certified fitness instructor and danced with a clogging team, “Country Spice Cloggers” in the 80s and 90s.

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.

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.

James Exum, Jr.

James Exum

James Exum, Jr.

Born and raised in Eastern North Carolina and following my graduation from UNC-CH, I attended New York University Law School where I received my law degree. From 1961-1967 and 1996-2017, I practiced law in Greensboro. In the interim, I served as a Superior Court Judge, an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and, finally, Chief Justice of that Court. I was a founding member of the Elon University Law School Advisory Board and a member of the faculty, retiring in 2017. Having long enjoyed music of almost every genre, theater, ballet and contemporary dance, I have come lately to opera. With knowledgeable friends, I am enjoying the Met’s Saturday HD performances in local theaters and recently attended performances of Das Rheingold and Die Walküre at the Met in NYC. Although a novice myself, I know enough to believe it important to share widely this profoundly beautiful art form.

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

Laura Deane Gresham

A native of Ahoskie, NC, I moved to Greensboro from NY City with my late husband, Lawton, in 1955 to teach art in the public schools. I graduated from St. Mary’s and UNC. I have been involved with Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art, the English-Speaking Union, the Junior League, and the Greensboro Branch of the Institute of American Archaeology. I was on the original steering committee that organized Greensboro Opera in the 1970s. I have served as Membership Chair, Head of the Personnel Committee, member of the Artistic Concerns Committee, Chair and member of the Nominating Committee, and President of the Opera Board for two years. I served as a Trustee of Opera America. In 1998, I received the Jane Armfield Award. After several years off the board, I returned in 2014 until 2019. I served on the Nominating Committee and enjoy sharing opera lore and community contacts with board members. What a joy to see Greensboro Opera Company alive and flourishing through the years!

Carolyn Hall

My love of opera started when I was around age 4. Saturday afternoons were spent listening to MET Radio Broadcasts. I even attempted to sing along, my favorite aria being “Una Voce Poco Fa”. My first opera I saw on television was, yes, Amahl and the Night Visitors and my first live performance was Aida in Atlanta during college when the MET was touring. The first opera I had a role in was Suor Angelica and I played a Novice. I love singing with others, for others, listening to others and teaching others. It is this connection with singing that has motivated me to support organizations with my time and finances. For many years, I was privileged to sing with Bel Canto Company and am currently a member of First Presbyterian Church Greensboro Chancel Choir. In every city I have lived in, I have found many ensembles to sing with or direct. I hold three degrees in music and belong to several professional organizations that help me be a better singer, teacher, and director. I look forward to another exciting year for Greensboro Opera.

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

Janet Hendley

Janet Hendley, Advisory Board 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.

Judy Jolly

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been on the GO board for several terms. I have served as President (1998), VP Education involved with Opera at the Carolina, and VP Special Events for Go Gypsy (2016) and Go Barber (2017). Favorite activities over the years have been hosting visiting artists appearing in performances, volunteering with GOC Opera Camp 1993 to 2000 and attending rehearsals where talented artists and directors bring an opera from the libretto to a thrilling multimedia performance. Thankfully, music in all of its forms continues to be essential in the 21st century. I teach students of all ages in my piano studio, am a past President of the Greensboro Symphony Guild and volunteer with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra’s Concerts for students. A native of Montgomery AL, I have been in Greensboro since 1966, and have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren!

Priscilla Knox

Born in Paris, Texas, moved to San Antonio for high school where I was cast as Cleopatra in the Senior play, which led me to Trinity University to study drama. Met my husband on a blind date, left school after 3 semesters to marry my pilot in 1969 and begin exploring the world. We lived in Omaha, Savannah, Portsmouth NH with the AF then 4 years with 2 sons in Berlin with Pan Am. We started Priba Furniture in 1972, and I finished my degree at UNCG while studying and keeping up with 2 teenagers! My involvement with GO started as a super in Aida and two other productions. I worked in wardrobe, props, and any odd “jobs” that would keep me backstage! I also was active with Preservation Greensboro and was President of the Guild. I sing in the choir at First Presbyterian and love my book clubs, but Greensboro Opera has been my first love!

Bill Latture

Bill Latture is a native of Lexington, VA. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946, “retiring” as a Lt(jg). After graduating from Washington and Lee University, he was employed by Blue Bell, Inc. for 33 years, finally settling in Greensboro with Louise, Sarah and Richard in 1963. He has been an active member of their church, Planned Parenthood, President of the First Nighters of UNCG Theatre, President of the Greensboro History Museum, treasurer of Greensboro Opera Companions and a member of the Nominating Committee of Greensboro Opera. He is an Eagle Scout and a longtime Scouter and Council Board Member. He and Louise are ten-year residents of Well•Spring. He is a former president of the Residents’ Association and currently serves on the Worship and Budget Committees as well as Coordinator of the Fourth Tuesday Discussions. He enjoys exercise classes, walking, bridge, biographies and dining with friends.

Jane Levy

Jane Levy is the daughter of Frances (a founding member of Greensboro Opera) and Edward Loewenstein (architect) and the granddaughter of Laura (Mrs. Julius) Cone. She is married to former Board member Richard Levy, has two children, and six grandchildren. She is a graduate of Duke University with a BA in French literature. After college, she worked for the Experiment in International Living in Vermont developing a lifelong love of travel. She was a professional photographer and an artist in residence in Randolph County. Recently she was actively involved in raising money for the Edible School Yard at the Children’s Museum and the Healing Garden at Cone Hospital. She has been involved in the arts for decades, especially the Weatherspoon for which she is a former President of the Foundation, a docent, and an Emeritus member of the Association Board. She has enjoyed her involvement behind the scenes with Greensboro Opera.

Fred Lopp

I became a part of Greensboro Opera after attending the first performance in 1981. I remember spending several Sundays the next few years having afternoon tea at Jane Armfield’s home to discuss promotion and audience development. I have been on the Board or Advisory Board from 2003-present. (and a “go-fer” for several years before that). I have served as chair of the following committees: Special Events, Search Committee for General Manager, Personnel Committee, & Finance Committee. I served on the Nominating Committee, Artistic Concerns Committee, By-Laws Committee, & Playbill Committee. I served on the Executive Committee for 3 years, 1 year as Treasurer. I reached the rank of Silver Life Master in Bridge. I played on the tennis team in college and hybridized daffodils for many years.

Charlene Marchant

Charlene Marchant is a voice faculty member of The Music Academy of NC. She graduated Harvard College with an AB cum laude, and has an MM in vocal performance from The Catholic Univ. She has served as adjunct faculty at Hampton Univ., Chowan Univ., and The Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA. In Greensboro, she has taught voice at Bennett College, and music at several area schools. She sang professionally in the choruses of over 30 different operas with Washington (National) Opera, Washington Concert Opera, Virginia Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and Opera Ayr (Scotland). She is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, former member of British Equity, and a lifetime member of the music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota. She is specialized now as a voice teacher for those seeking a good foundation in singing technique. She has a son in Seattle, and a daughter, son-in-law, and two lively grandsons in London.

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—Finished a most enjoyable year working as Elvira Green’s ghost writer: Elvira: Behind the Curtain, the story of Elvira’s truly remarkable life, published in fall, 2023.

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.

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook TweetShare on Twitter Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

Board of Trustees