THE COMPANY

Daniel Biaggi
General Director

Daniel, aka Swiss D, oversees all artistic planning, organizational events and staff activities, and is spokesperson for the organization in private and public affairs. He loves casting operas as much as raising money, and tries to emulate American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest as Host of the PBO Vocal Competition Grand Finals Concert. Prior to coming to PBO, Daniel was Associate Director at Guy Barzilay International Artist Management in New York, served on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, and Sarah Lawrence College, and worked extensively for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, giving pre-performance introduction lectures and participating in the organization’s various Outreach Programs. A classically trained singer, Daniel has performed operatic roles and recitals in the US and Europe. In his spare time, he loves playing sports, cooking up a storm, and anything that has to do with air travel, including jumping out of planes. Email Daniel

Greg Hirsch
Managing Director

As Director of Production for Palm Beach Opera’s 2011-2012 season, Greg was responsible for the productions of Madama Butterfly, the 50^th Anniversary Gala, Romeo et Juliette and Lucia di Lammermor. Prior to PBO, his multifaceted career includes nearly 400 productions divided between opera, theatre and television. A sampling includes: Director of Production—Portland Opera (Jenůfa Sweeney Todd); —San Diego Opera (Boris Godunov, La Boheme). Production Manager—Dallas Opera (Götterdämmerung, La fanciulla del West), Tulsa Opera (The Flying Dutchman, Tosca). In musical theatre, he has worked with such luminaries as Ann-Margaret, Raul Julia, Richard Kiley, Robert Goulet, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Yul Brynner. As a lighting designer for opera and musical theatre, Greg has received two Drama-Logue awards, and the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and Emmy awards. He serves as a Councilor of Actors’ Equity Association and First Vice Chair of the Stage Managers’ Association. Email Greg

Scott Guzielek
Director of Artistic Operations

Scott is excited to begin as the Director of Artistic Operations at PBO! Previously, he was the Artistic Administrator of Washington National Opera since 2006. Here at PBO he will work with Daniel on all things artistic, including the Young Artist Program. He was selected by OPERA America to be part of the Leadership Intensive 2012. Originally from Johnstown, New York, he received a B.A. with honors in Vocal Performance from the State University of New York College at Geneseo in 2001 and later earned a M.A. with distinction in Arts Management from American University in 2004. He was a bartione soloist for four years at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church and was a singer, soloist and board president of the Thomas Circle Singers in Washington, D.C. In 2012 he became a member of the Board of Trustees of The Point Foundation where he and a group of friends in Washington created “Wig Night Out”- a silly night of wearing wigs for a good cause. A huge fan of the beach, he is looking forward to grabbing the few off hours in a week to relax and enjoy the Palm Beach sun. Email Scott

Greg Ritchey
Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master

Greg (aka G$) has been Chorus Master for over 19 productions with Palm Beach Opera and conducts our Family Opera performances. He is also the Assistant Conductor at Opera Theater of Saint Louis and has been on the music staff at Wexford Festival Opera, Dallas Opera, Central City Opera, and Virginia Opera. Originally from Kentucky, he is also noted concert pianist and has performed throughout Europe and the United States. Greg is an avid golfer, Kentucky basketball fan, and likes to unwind with a glass of premium scotch. Email Greg

Katy Reeves
Company Manager

Katy joined our Stage Management team in 2012, and relocated from Honolulu (Aloha!) to work as our Company Manager for the 2013 Season! She is a native Texan, and has worked in all four corners of the US as a Scheduler and Stage Manager. She has a BFA in Design from Baylor University, and an MFA in Stage Management from the University of California, San Diego. Katy loves sailing, gardening, and spoiling her little black panther, Manny, as much as possible. Email Katy

Joe Cremona
Director of Finance and Administration

Joe’s knowledge and experience in accounting comes from over 15 years of working as a controller, manager, business analyst, and senior level accountant for several multi-million dollar corporations, including Compass Group, Fidelity National Title, and Club Corp International. Having pursued a well-rounded education in both business and liberal arts, Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Houston, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. Joe is also an advocate for adoption causes and has worked closely with the Adoption Coalition of Texas on their Heart Gallery of Central Texas project. Although he spent most of his life in Texas, Joe is a native Floridian originally from Orlando. In his spare time, Joe enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing the beautiful coastal waters of Florida. Email Joe

Lisa L. Huertas
Director of Development

Lisa comes to the Opera as Director of Development after spending the last few years in the world of science at Scripps Florida. She volunteers at many organizations and continues to be an active member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. She also serves on the boards of Miami City Ballet, the Yale Club of the Palm Beaches and Voices for Children of Palm Beach County. She received a Bachelor’s degree in the History of Art from Yale and an MBA in Arts Administration from SUNY-Binghamton. She loves the arts and also is an avid fan of the Florida Panthers ice hockey team. Go Cats! Email Lisa

Ann E. Baskind
Donor Relations Coordinator

Ann Baskind has been with Palm Beach Opera since 2000. After starting as a Box Office Associate and becoming Box Office Manager, she is currently the Donor Relations Coordinator working with our high-end donors and special events. Ann is also the Palm Beach Opera Liaison for the Opera Guild. Born in New York City, she is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. Ann is the founder and treasurer of SAD SAC Inc., a no-kill animal rescue group. She enjoys tennis, sharp cheeses, and is an avid animal activist. Email Ann

Ceci Dadisman
Director of Marketing & PR

Ceci is the arts marketing go-to gal! She manages PBO’s marketing including advertising, collateral materials, email marketing, media relations, social media, website, mobile app, and live web streaming. A self-professed digital marketing nerd, Ceci was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and is a die-hard Steelers fan. She graduated with a degree in music from West Virginia University (Let’s Go Mountaineers!) and is a professional classical singer specializing in early music and oratorio. Her alter-ego is @agalatcityplace and she does hyperlocal blogging and tweeting from CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach. She is also on the National Arts Marketing Project Advisory Committee and is the President of the American Marketing Association South Florida Chapter, the VP of Technology for the Florida Direct Marketing Association, the President of Femfessionals West Palm Beach, and is the OPERA America Marketing Network Chair. Email Ceci

Amanda Kahan
Marketing & PR Associate

Amanda joins the Palm Beach Opera as a Marketing & PR Associate after spending a couple years producing newscasts for a local TV station. As a South Florida native, Amanda graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University with a double major in Multimedia Journalism and Art & Humanities. In her free time she loves to travel, check out museums, and most of all, eat. Amanda also enjoys spoiling her two very vocal, but perfect Dachshunds, Mocha and Scout.  Email Amanda

Jenna Kennedy
Box Office Manager

Jennifer (also known as Jenna) Kennedy joined PBO in the beginning of Fall in 2008 as a Box Office Systems Administrator. What is that you ask? Jenna’s responsibilities include database management, ticketing management and reporting, customer service and ticketing sales. Opera was introduced to Jenna as a small child by her late father who blasted Luciano Pavarotti throughout the house before there was surround sound. Jenna’s interests span from Asian-themed art & design to relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Palm Beach. She dislikes frogs and flying but loves a soft smooth sounding melody especially from the 80’s! Email Jenna

Christina Sheridan
Box Office & Group Sales Associate

Christina (affectionately called Xtina) joined our Box Office in the Spring of 2009 and took over Group Sales in the Summer of 2010. She is the youngest member of our team and her friendly personality makes her perfect for assisting our patrons on a daily basis. Born and raised in South Florida, she enjoys the sun and warm summer weather. She has 3 adorable Dachshunds: Lily, Lucy, & Largo. She loves theme parks, Lady Gaga, her iPhone 4, & floral print. Email Christina