A native of Winter Park, Florida,Vincent Connor has established himself as prominent and versatile stage director. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree and performance certificate from The College of Music at Florida State University as well as a Master’s Degree in voice with emphasis in stage direction from The University of Arizona, he began his performance career as a bass-baritone, performing such roles as Pooh-bah in The Mikado, Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible, Geronimo in Il Matrimonio Segreto, Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore, and Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro.

 

Now moving his focus to stage direction, he has already made his directing television debut with WGN’s hit series Manhattan, and recently brought Puccini’s Suor Angelica to the University of Arizona Opera Theatre, which the opera appreciation organization “Living at the Opera” praised for its “… remarkable directorial touches.” In 2015 alone he directed five different productions ranging from the classics of Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio and Puccini’s La Boheme, to Sister Carrie with Janiec Opera Company, and The Tenderland at Opera North.

 

Mr. Connor is a passionate believer in opera outreach and education, and is continually working with various universities and companies such as The University of Arizona, UMKC Conservatory, Opera in the Ozarks, Marble City Opera, Brevard Music Festival, Janiec Opera, Arizona Onstage productions, Northern Lights Music Festival, and Opera North.

Ms. Ichimura is the founder and director of the Ichimura Music School in Greenwich Connecticut.  She is a dedicated educator whose students have been feature in concerts and festivals around the world and have won numerous awards in national and international competitions.  Many are graduates of the The Juilliard School, The Manhattan School of Music, The Toho School, and The Royal Academy of London.