The mission of Livermore Valley Opera is to enrich our community by producing world class operas and fostering the careers of professional opera singers. We encourage a wider appreciation of opera and the associated arts through community outreach and educational programs for youth in schools.
Artistic Director Erie Mills, has received critical and popular acclaim throughout the world. She has performed in the world’s major opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Vienna Staatsoper, English National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera and many others. As a concert artist, Ms. Mills has appeared with the orchestras of Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Her performance of Cunegonde at the New York City Opera was seen on a national telecast on PBS’ “Live from Lincoln Center.” From 1998-2008 she was on the voice faculty at San José State University. Since 2004 she has worked as the English diction specialist for Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and also works in this capacity for the Metropolitan Opera and the Santa Fe Opera. In 2004 she became the first singer to join the board of directors of Opera America. She is a graduate of The College of Wooster in Ohio, the University of Illinois, and the Houston Opera Studio.
Alexander Katsman is the Music Director of Livermore Valley Opera. As an alumni of the San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program, Mr. Katsman received his M.M. from St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory and his B.M. cum laude from Mussorgsky College of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Since his arrival in the United States, Alexander has been sought after as a conductor and collaborative pianist. He conducted for Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, Martinez Opera, Bayshore Lyric Opera, Berkeley West Edge Opera, Oakland Lyric Opera, Solo Opera, San Francisco Lyric Opera, Opera Academy of California, Peninsula Teen Opera, Diablo Light Opera, Town Hall Theater, and also at CalState University East Bay and Diablo Valley College. Recently Alexander was rehearsal conductor for Castleton Festival’s Berkeley performances of Albert Herring and The Rape of Lucretia. He was also Artistic Director for the Alexander Vocal Series, premier vocal recital series in Piedmont, California.
His conducting credits include over 60 opera, operetta, and musical theater productions, including Orfeo et Euridice, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, The Magic Flute, The Impresario, The Apothecary, La Cenerentola, L’italiana in Algeri, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Un Ballo in maschera, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, La bohème, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Andrea Chénier, Pagliacci, Cavaleria Rusticana, Der Rosenkavalier, Die Fledermaus, Faust, Romeo et Juliette, La Juive, Carmen, Manon, The Bartered Bride, The Merry Widow, Mikado, Trouble in Tahiti, Kismet, Sweeney Todd, The Student Prince, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Carousel, and The Most Happy Fella.
Mr. Katsman serves on conducting faculties of Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute and Opera Academy of California. He is also on the coaching staff at the San Francisco Conservatory.
Board of Directors
Executive Board Member *
- Rosemary Chang
- Greg Gorel
- Henry P. Huff III Treasurer *
- Raquel Holt Founder *
- Alexander Katsman ex officio
- Monica Kulander
- Barbara Lymberis
- Erie Mills ex officio
- Stephanie Petermeier
- Pamela Philbert
- Pamela Rigg
- Keith Sawyer President *
- Jim Schmidt
- Sonya Sheffield Secretary *
- John Shirley emeritus
Advisory Council
- Valarie Huff – Chairperson
- Bob Canning
- Dr. Susan DuPree
- Barbara Edwards
- Barbara Gilmartin
- Jean King
- Nick Liang
- Norman Petermeier
- Josiane Selvage
- Shari Tardiveau