The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) has announced the appointment of Claudia Crawford Seyle to their 2020 Board of Directors.  

Savannah natives, Claudia and her husband, David Seyle, retired in 2014 having spent the previous twenty-three years at a small liberal arts college in southwest Georgia where Claudia taught humanities and world literature. After being encouraged to attend an SVF event, they were thrilled to experience such outstanding vocalists performing in their hometown. Their association with other patrons, and now friends, who feel the same deep passion for the vocal arts has been a pleasure and encouraged their ever-deepening involvement with this nonprofit organization.

My attraction to the organization has been enhanced by the development of personal relationships with the singers,” said Seyle. “I am honored to have this opportunity to participate in the growing success of SVF.”  

SVF was founded in 2012 by opera legend Sherrill Milnes and his wife, Maria Zouves. Under the umbrella of The Sherrill Milnes VOICE Programs, which also includes SVF’s sister organization VOICExperience Foundation, this nonprofit arts organization brings classical vocal excellence to Savannah with three weeks of operatic and musical theater productions, events and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the rest of the year. Milnes and Zouves are committed to increasing the community’s awareness of the importance of developing the vocal arts through community-enriching, educational presentations and events. The organization hosts a full range of different programs and continually offers accessible events to the public as well as undertaking an extensive educational outreach program.

 “We are elated to welcome Claudia to the board as we look forward to our eighth annual Festival this year,” said SVF Co-founder and Executive Director Maria Zouves. “We know Claudia’s expertise and commitment to SVF will help us to develop as one of the nation’s sought-after voice festivals.”