Candi Burrows 

Candice Burrows is a mezzo-soprano and co-chair of vocal studies at High Point University in North Carolina. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Burrows was twice chosen as a vocal fellow at Tanglewood Music Festival where she met composer Leonard Bernstein. Dr. Burrows toured with Mr. Bernstein through Europe and Russia for his 70th birthday gala year and later performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Burrows’ career has spanned jazz, symphonic work, and opera. Her notable opera roles include Rosina, Dorabella, Maddelena, and Cenerentola, among others.

Michael Nutter

Michael Nutter has directed over 40 operas and is currently Artistic Director and Stage Director for Capitol City Opera Company in Atlanta. During his 30-year professional career, Mr. Nutter directed The Crucible; Cosi fan Tutte; Jake Heggie’s At the Statue of Venus, Dido, & Aeneas; and Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd; among many others. Mr. Nutter has directed at the Eugene Opera, the Oregon Bach Festival, and Atlanta Opera’s 24-Hour Project. 

Michelle Patzakis

Michele Patzakis is a soprano who earned critical acclaim for her performances with Zurich Opera, the Spoleto Festival, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, New York City Opera, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and more. In 2018, the Loren L. Zachary Society honored Michele, a former Zachary competition winner, for her years of service to the organization as a competition judge and artistic director.

James Toland

James Toland, founder and general director of James Toland Vocal Arts, has been a private voice teacher for 30 years and master teacher for the San Francisco Girls Chorus, among other choral groups. Mr. Toland spent 10 years as the Artistic Director of the Eugene Opera before moving to the Bay Area. In addition to his work for JTVA, he also serves as director of Chorus Eclectic, a 62-member community chorus in San Ramon.