About The Director

Mezzo soprano Lori Willis began her musical career as a violinist, receiving scholarships from the University of California, Berkeley Young Musician’s Program and from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music for violin performance. After obtaining a B.A. in Political Science from U.C. Berkeley, Ms. Willis gained recognition as a vocalist. She has performed a variety of roles and made guest soloist appearances with countless groups that include Oakland East Bay Symphony, Oakland Opera, Sacramento Philharmonic, Golden Gate Opera, Berkeley Opera, Cal State East Bay Chorus, The Lucy Kinchen Chorale, Opera Noir and Oakland City Chorus. She has also been a member of the San Francisco Opera Chorus for their performances of The Trojans (2015), Die Meistersinger (2015), and Porgy and Bess (2009). 

 

Ms. Willis has studied voice with Sheri Greenawald, Wendy Hillhouse and Allen Shearer and has also been a student of vocal coach, Marcie Stapp. She has a Master of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, East Bay and has been a voice instructor at Laney College in Oakland, California.  Ms. Willis currently teaches Choir, Orchestra and AP Music Theory at Cal High.