After an extensive nationwide search, Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) announces the appointment of a new Executive Director, Evelina Erickson, to join the leadership team as it plans for future growth and development. 

Before joining SVF, Evelina served as the Senior Managing Director of Development for the National Parks Conservation Association, Director of Development for the National Environmental Education Association, and Director of Development for the Chesapeake Conservancy. She is passionate about working with donors to invest in causes that they care about.  During her more than 25-year tenure in the nonprofit sector, she has raised millions for local to international organizations. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She earned her B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park. 

This appointment signifies an expansion of leadership within the organization as it celebrates its twelfth season this August.  Evelina Erickson will join the leadership team of Presidents and Co-Founders, Sherrill Milnes and Maria Zouves, Artistic Director Jorge Parodi, Education and Outreach Director Chad Sonka and VP of Operations, Lani Winskye.

Maria Zouves, who co-founded the festival with her husband, world-renowned operatic baritone Sherrill Milnes, is looking forward to the evolution of the Savannah VOICE Festival under its new Executive Director, “We are excited to bring Evelina’s expertise in fundraising and nonprofit organizations to working alongside Sherrill and me and the rest of the leadership team,” said Maria Zouves. “As we look forward to our twelfth season, which will run from Aug. 8-18, 2024, it is a great time for the Savannah VOICE Festival to welcome Evelina.” 

Evelina is thrilled to join the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) as Executive Director. Her introduction to opera and the world of classical voice was while working as an usher for the university’s performing arts center.  Witnessing the opera, The Marriage of Figaro live made a lasting impression on her. During VOICE’s 2023 festival she attended SVF’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and was astonished by the caliber of singers SVF attracts.  She believes that everyone should have access to the arts.   

Originally from Maryland, Evelina moved to Savannah three years ago with her husband and adorable terrier, Murphy. When she’s not working to help important causes, she can be found working in the garden with her husband, reading a good book, or singing in the choir at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah. 

For more information about the Savannah VOICE Festival and to buy tickets for the twelfth season of opera productions, recitals, concerts, musical theatre and song, please visit www.savannahvoicefestival.org