Team OSB, 2022, photo: Zach Mendez

THE COMPANY

Team OSB

We are a team of enthusiastic overachievers with a passion for innovation and the desire to strengthen our company’s bond with the Santa Barbara and Central Coast community. Our goal is to consistently exceed our patrons’ expectations for programs, experiences, and communications, and build a work culture of empowerment, inspiration and trust

kostis protopapas

KOSTIS PROTOPAPAS
Artistic & General Director
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Kostis Protopapas was named General Director of Opera Santa Barbara in December 2017, after two-and-a-half seasons as Artistic Director.

During his time as Artistic Director and principal conductor, Kostis brought a unified vision to OSB’s musical and production values, strengthening the orchestra and chorus, engaging some of the country’s most promising young directors and singers…

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HELENA KUUKKA
Director of Production
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A native of Helsinki, Finland, Helena Kuukka joins the Opera SB staff from Orlando, Florida. Helena’s Opera Santa Barbara debut was as Lighting Designer of The Barber of Seville in 2018, followed by Eugene Onegin in 2019. Other favorite opera designs include The Marriage of Figaro and Eugene Onegin (Florida Grand Opera), Aida (Vancouver Opera, Portland Opera), Samson and Delilah and La Boheme (Tulsa Opera), La Traviata and The Merry Widow (Kansas City Lyric Opera), and Rockland (Pine Mountain Music Festival)…

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Helena Kukka

TIM ACCURSO
Principal Pianist & Music Administrator
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Timothy Accurso joined the Opera Santa Barbara team in September 2018. Tim has been on music staff with Palm Beach Opera, Opera Saratoga, and the Seagle Music Colony. Originally from Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, he completed his undergraduate studies at Susquehanna University in vocal and piano performance. To further his studies in opera, Tim received a Masters of Music in vocal coaching and accompanying from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign…

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Tim Accurso

JESSICA HETRICK
Executive Administrator
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Jessica Hetrick is a highly motivated and accomplished arts administrator with a strong reputation in the operatic community. Her extensive experience in operatic performance, combined with her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, has made her a valuable asset to many arts organizations. She is committed to streamlining administrative processes to enable greater focus on the stage, ensuring successful productions and memorable performances.

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CHRISTINA PEZZAROSSI
Chrisman Studio Management Intern, Assistant to the General Director
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Hailed for her “fleet vocal technique” and “resonant, smoky mezzo”, Mezzo-soprano Christina Pezzarossi is quickly gaining recognition as a distinguished and versatile young artist in the world of opera. Originally from Miles City, Montana, she received her Master’s degree from the The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

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Christina Ramsey
joyce familara

JOYCE FAMILARA
Communications Consultant
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Joyce Familara is a Los Angeles native who now makes Santa Barbara her home. She graduated from UCSB and later St. Mary’s College of California for her MFA in Creative Writing-Non Fiction. Joyce worked as a Content Marketing Manager for various small businesses throughout SB county. She started at Opera Santa Barbara as its first Digital Content Manager in 2018 and later became Director of Marketing from 2019-2021…

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TODD JARED
Technical Director
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Todd Jared’s affiliation with Opera Santa Barbara began with the company’s debut production of Die Fledermaus at the Lobero Theatre in 1993. He served as Technical Director and Production Manager for Opera Santa Barbara’s first 21 productions and has been continuously associated with the company ever since.

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todd jared

STACIE LOGUE
Costume Manager
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Stacie Logue’s relationship with Opera Santa Barbara goes back to the 2004 production of Faust. Since then Stacie has worked worked on many OSB classic productions as costume coordinator, design assistant, wardrobe dresser & stitcher. In 2013 she designed the costumes for Don Pasquale, has been the company’s main wardrobe coordinator since 2017, and was promoted to Costume Manager in 2018.

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Volunteering Opportunities

Opera Santa Barbara simply would not exist without volunteers, whose contribution of time and resources saves us thousands of dollars each year.

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