The Savannah VOICE Festival has welcomed new Patron Services and Marketing Manager Briana Trusty to its team of experienced musical and arts professionals. Trusty comes to SVF from Savannah’s FOX28 News, where she was a familiar face, covering stories of both local and national importance.

Born in Maryland, Trusty grew up just north of Indianapolis, where she got her first taste of dance and musical theater. She has danced with the American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Theatre, as well as performed with the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. Her journey led her south when she attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a Spanish minor before launching her career in Savannah with FOX28 News.

“I’m elated with the invitation to join the Savannah VOICE Festival’s staff and become a part of an organization that’s working to make the vocal arts engaging and accessible for everyone,” Trusty said. “I know that it’s going to be so fulfilling to have a chance to advance the festival’s reach in the community while combining my passion for the arts.”

Trusty replaces former coordinator Sandy Feliciano, who started with the Milnes VOICE Programs as a singer and proceeded to build her career in arts administration with the VOICE Programs. Felicano has taken a new position with The Atlanta Opera Company.

“Sandy Feliciano's story with us is one that defines our mission. She began as a young singer but then found her true 'voice' in administration and marketing. Sandy helped us build our own ticketing infrastructure and supported our vibrant membership, as well as keeping us current on social media. While we will miss her, we are excited about her new adventure with AOC and looking forward to what Briana will bring to our mission. Briana has a tremendous passion for the arts and enjoys engaging with creative people,” Zouves said. “Those delightful attributes coupled with her advanced work in print, digital and broadcast journalism make her the perfect fit to take SVF’s programs and initiatives to the next level. We are thrilled to have Briana join us in time to usher in our exciting 2019 spring season.”

Founded in 2013, the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) evolved from a training organization called VOICExperience Foundation (VE). Both organizations were founded by legendary operatic baritone Sherrill Milnes and his wife, leading soprano Maria Zouves. VE, founded in 2001, teaches the art of opera in musical intensives and workshops around the nation. SVF is now in its seventh year of successful programming, bringing vocal excellence to the greater Savannah area through a three-week celebration of concerts, operas and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the year. In 2018, SVF launched the Savannah Opera Company, which presents three to five productions each summer as part of the August festival.