For its thirteenth season themed “Once Upon a Time”, the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) is once again serving the community through collaboration with local area partners and making the vocal arts accessible to all by offering free events for the community. The season includes partnerships with non-profit organizations including The Davenport House Museum, local places of worship, and The Green-Meldrim House.

Free events include “VOICES in Sacred Song” at First Baptist Church, 223 Bull Street on Sunday, August 10 at 5 p.m. This community favorite, led by Timothy L. Hall, celebrates a diverse selection of inspirational music from opera, oratorio and song. Patrons will enjoy beautiful voices and can join in song with the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. Free educational events and master classes are a way to provide training for aspiring young artists and educate audiences to appreciate the art of vocal performance. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships that help bring world-class vocal music to the heart of our community,” said Chad Sonka, Education and Outreach Director of SVF. “SVF is proud to offer free classes and events led by world-renowned faculty, that promotes arts accessibility while giving back to those we serve the community."

2025’s free “Masters in VOICE” series will be held in the First Baptist Church Choir Room, which is located at 102 W McDonough St. These master classes give audiences an inside look at the preparation and performance of opera, musical theatre, and song. Each of the master classes listed below will be held at 1 p.m. 

• Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the First Baptist Church Choir Room:

Soprano Maria Zouves, Co-Founder and President of the Sherrill Milnes VOICE Programs has directed, taught, and produced events all around the world. Enjoy as she shares her vast experience both on and beyond the stage in her engaging class with tomorrow’s stars.

• Friday, Aug. 8 at the First Baptist Church Choir Room:

SVF’s Composer-in-Residence, Jodi Goble, is quickly establishing herself as one of today’s most important composers for the voice. In this class, she combines her piano prowess and sensitive teaching as she works with VOICE singers on her wonderful music.

• Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the First Baptist Church Choir Room:

Renowned stage director Fabrizio Melano, along with psychotherapist Laura Melano Flanagan, use their expertise to help VOICE artists cultivate the dramatic aspects of singing and character building for the audience to enjoy.

• Thursday, Aug. 14 at the First Baptist Church Choir Room:

Continuing the legacy of his four decades on the stage, legendary baritone Sherrill Milnes shares his wealth of musical and dramatic knowledge with this year’s VOICE artists.

“It’s inspiring to witness the growth of young artists as they learn from masters,” said Maria Zouves, Co-Founder and President of the Milnes VOICE Programs. “The foundation of SVF has always been rooted in access, education and excellence, and we’re honored to reflect that spirit again this season.”

The Milnes VOICE Programs will also offer FREE workshops as part of the Milnes VOICE Studio training program. Join the Studio artists as they learn from experts in our community. Workshop topics include Developing a Resilient Mindset, Establishing your Online Presence, Vocal Health, and more. Visit https://www.savannahvoicefestival.org/outreach-education/ to learn more.

Savannah VOICE Festival is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt nonprofit arts organization in the state of Georgia. The Festival brings classical vocal excellence to the Savannah area through a two-week celebration of concerts, events, and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the year. Focusing on arts awareness and audience development in the performing arts, it offers music from opera, musical theatre, and popular song. The Savannah VOICE Festival is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Donations are tax-deductible.