Kaitlyn Griswell is a graduate of Oklahoma City University’s class of 2021 where she earned a bachelor's degree in vocal performance. Kaitlyn grew up in Santa Barbara and previously worked with Opera Santa Barbara in their 2016 production of Carmen. She could not be more excited to be returning and...
Nina Dunbar has served as a nonprofit executive, fundraiser, and arts advocate for municipal and nonprofit organizations in California, Arizona, and Louisiana for more than 25 years. Before joining Opera Santa Barbara, she ran Change|Practice|Play, a Santa Barbara-based consultancy focusing on strategic planning, development, and...
Timothy Accurso joined the Opera Santa Barbara team as Principal Pianist in September 2018. Tim has been on music staff with Utah Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Las Vegas, Opera Saratoga, and the Seagle Music Colony. Originally from Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, he completed his undergraduate...
Jonathon McGee comes to Opera Santa Barbara ahead of the 21|22 Season having spent the better part of the last decade serving in the nonprofit field with an emphasis in marketing. During his time at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute and the Museum of...
A native of Helsinki, Finland, Helena Kuukka joins the Opera SB staff from Orlando, Florida. Helena’s Opera Santa Barbara debut was as Lighting Designer of The Barber of Seville in 2018, followed by Eugene Onegin in 2019. Other favorite opera designs include The Marriage of Figaro and Eugene Onegin (Florida Grand Opera), Aida (Vancouver Opera, Portland Opera), Samson and Delilah and La Boheme (Tulsa Opera), La Traviata and The...
Marylove Thralls previously served as a marketing and development associate at Opera Santa Barbara...
Brian Hotchkin is a baritone, vocal instructor, stage director and arts administrator based in Santa Barbara, CA. Prior to his career in arts administration, Brian performed opera and music theater with companies including Virginia Opera, Opera New Jersey, Opera Santa Barbara, Chamber Opera Chicago, and the Aspen Music...
Kostis Protopapas was appointed Artistic Director of Opera Santa Barbara in July, 2015. ...