Faculty & Guest Artists

AVA’s dedicated faculty of conductors and coaches prepares exceptional young vocal artists for a future in opera.

Scott Guzielek
President and Artistic Director
Christofer Macatsoris
Jeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair
Voice Instructors
Bill Schuman
Voice Faculty
Luis Ledesma
Voice Faculty
Sally Wolf
Voice Faculty
Benita Valente
Adjunct Voice Faculty
Florence Quivar
Adjunct Voice Faculty
Vocal Coaches
David Antony Lofton
Master Vocal Coach
Danielle Orlando
Master Vocal Coach
Richard A. Raub
Master Vocal Coach
Luke Housner
Master Vocal Coach
Michael Lewis
Vocal Coach
Audrey Saint-Gil
Vocal Coach
Pianists
José Meléndez
Assistant to the Music Director/Librarian
Elise Auerbach
Pianist
Gabriel Rebolla
Pianist
Ting Ting Wong
Pianist
Course Instructors
Ennio Brugnolo
Instructor in Italian
Beth Clayton, CMHC, MM
Mental Wellness Coach
Charles Conwell
Instructor in Stage Combat
Paul Curran
Instructor in Acting
Chuck Hudson
Instructor in Acting
Amanda Johnston
Instructor in German
Robert Kahn
Assistant Conductor
Nicole Layseca
Instructor in French
Lisa Lovelace
Instructor in Stage Movement and Dance
Dr. Josh Miller
Professional Development Faculty
Bob Rowland
Opera History
Robert Thayer Sataloff, MD, DMA
Head of Voice Science Department
Dr. Julia Zavadsky
Russian Diction Coach