SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

Since 1939, San Francisco Opera Guild has supported the activities of San Francisco Opera through award-winning education programs that extend the impact of opera, bringing it center stage in the life of the community. The Guild offers a range of programs that reach more than 50,000 students in nearly 200 schools across the Bay Area annually, as well as programs for adults.  Andrew Berger will speak about the scope and goals of these programs, including a brief interactive segment presented with the assistance of baritone Billy Lawley, a Guild teaching artist, related to the upcoming San Francisco Opera production of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro.

Andrew Berger is the Director of Education, San Francisco Opera Guild.  Andrew moved to the Bay Area from New York City in September 2013 to join San Francisco Opera Guild as Director of Education. In this capacity, he is responsible for planning and oversight of the Guild’s extensive education programs. With more than twenty years of experience in senior education positions at leading New York arts organizations, he was formerly Director of Education at Midori & Friends, where he was responsible for arts education programs in schools and community agencies in underserved communities across New York City. Prior to Midori & Friends, he was Director of Education at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Director of Education and Outreach at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on Long Island. His experience in the performing arts field also includes positions with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Connecticut Grand Opera & Orchestra, and Lincoln Center Institute. Mr. Berger is also a singer, writer, and composer, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Harvard College and his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Long Island University.

Billy Lawley studied voice at Southern Methodist University before moving to the Bay Area in 2014. Billy was employed for five years as Elementary Music Instructor in the Dallas Independent School District, receiving accolades including Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010. In addition to teaching, Billy performed in musicals with numerous theaters in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. He began work with San Francisco Opera Guild as a teaching artist in 2014 and also teaches voice and piano privately.  Billy is a Board Certified Music Therapist and has experience using music to reach children and adults that have individualized health needs.