Leadership & Staff

Susan Feldman Bachelor, ‘78, first became involved with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of San Jose in 1975 when her father, Dick Feldman, was cast in his first show. Every member of her family became involved in the group in the following years: her father as a board member and as a performer in 31 productions, her mother as box office manager from 1981-2006, her brother on the light crew and as master electrician or stage manager, and herself onstage for 17 productions, as well as on light crew for many productions.

Steve first learned about Gilbert & Sullivan by listening to a children's record of G&S favorite songs, and when he arrived at Stanford as a freshman was fortunate to be involved in lighting design for dorm-based theatrical productions. He helped found the Stanford Savoyards and lit their first 4 productions. Joining GSSSJ in 1980 as Master Electrician for Ruddigore, he has since designed the lighting for over 40 Lyric Theatre productions. Steve has served as president (1999-2005), producer for several shows, secretary, and supertitles designer. He is currently our vice-president, manages our relationships with theater venues and the IT committee, and serves as chair of the Organization committee. By day he performs business systems analysis.

Ask Steve about:  Board candidacy, theater venues, IT, lighting design, company history

Paul has been a member of Lyric Theatre since singing Lord Mountararat in their 1984 production of Iolanthe. A public school music teacher for 31 years, he continues serving kids and families as an accompanist and organist for the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo and two high school choirs. Paul has performed and conducted for companies across the Bay Area including Lamplighters, Berkeley Opera, Oakland Opera, SF Opera, Pocket Opera, South Bay Musical Theatre, Tabard Theatre.

Ask Paul about: Pianos, vocal coaching, and virtual choirs and orchestras

Ann is a long time board member and Orchestra Manager, she chaired the Repertoire committee for 7 years, and then the Production Staffing Committee, and was President of the Board from 2013 to 2019.  Ann is a violinist from childhood taught by her violinist father. With 38 years at Lyric Theatre, she loves playing in the orchestra and bringing this beloved music to life.

Ask Ann about: Orchestra, Lyric Theatre history

Terri has been involved with Lyric Theatre for a very long time—she's performed in all but three of our G&S shows over the years, plus a few Discovery series and other Lyric Theatre shows.

Originally from Chicago, Chris found Lyric Theatre in the phone book in 1988 and ever since has (sometimes simultaneously) been a performer, an asst. stage manager, a stage manager, an asst. music director, a producer, a production consultant, a Board member and now spends time assigning the audience to their seats. Currently working in the Theatre Department at Foothill College and directs the St. Luke Lutheran Church choir.

Ask Chris about: Advice on producing a show, Lyric Theatre history

Bruce's love of Gilbert & Sullivan propelled him to join up with Lyric Theater in 1990 as an accompanist for shows. He has worn many hats with the company over the years, including accompanist, treasurer, producer, music director, newsletter editor, and dramaturg. His enjoyment of operetta genre has led him to restore many shows for presentation in our Discovery series. He is currently also the president of the Victor Herbert Renaissance Project, LIVE!

Ask Bruce about: The Patter Post, operetta, Victor Herbert

Website: http://vhrplive.org/

Sharon has served on the Lyric Board since March 2019. She is a long-time supporter of the Lyric community as a volunteer and performer (La Périchole, ’89), and she sings with the Lyric Theatre Victorian Carolers. Her late son, Jim Martin, was also a performer (and print graphics designer) for Lyric for many years.  Her background is in project and program management. In 2008, she retired from Apple and began working part-time for a non-profit educational institute in Cupertino, where she manages grant programs and marketing. In her spare time, she gardens, reads, quilts, sings in the choir, and plays with family and friends.

Ask Sharon about: grants, repertoire

Daniel has been involved in theater as performer, producer, stage director, and music director in many California venues since he made his stage debut at age 8.

Larry caught the performing bug following his 2000 Lyric Theatre debut in The Mikado and has appeared in more than twenty Lyric Theatre productions. Larry is a past President of the Lyric Board of Directors. In addition, he has been involved as producer, set designer, and master carpenter. A former board trustee and president of the Berryessa Union School District in San José, he is now retired from a career in the biotechnology profession.

Ask Larry about: Set design, grants

Tim has been a long-time patron of Lyric Theatre and enjoys Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.  He started to perform as a cast member two years ago in G&S’s “The Sorcerer” after he retired from his Urology practice.  Currently he serves as a volunteer Urology consultant at The Second Opinion, giving free consultations to patients with cancer diagnoses.  He is also a member of the San Jose Symphonic Choir and serves on their board of directors as well.  Besides music, Tim enjoys golf, cooking and traveling.

Ask Tim about: Musical theater, operettas

After Dan sold his 25 year-old manufacturing business, he toyed with retirement—but failed!….  Did some consulting. It was fun, but not structured enough…. Meanwhile, his cover band ended a 23-year run of good times and foolishness, leaving its lead vocalist with time and energy to dive into community theater—so Dan has settled on Lyric Theatre as his artistic home. And now he’s our friendly neighborhood Volunteer Manager (and of course, continues to sing in our shows!).

Dennis debuted in his first performance on stage with Lyric Theatre’s Iolanthe in 2007. Since then he has appeared in 14 chorus roles for Lyric Theatre, Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, Mission City Opera, and Woodside Community Theater. Highlights include comprimario roles as Street Sweeper in OSJ’s La Boheme, Notary in La Perichole, Franz the Butler in Sound of Music, and Guccio in Gianni Schicchi. Dennis also enjoys hiking, golf, travel, and spending time with wife and families.

Ask Dennis about: Marketing

Kathleen is an artist, costume designer, and seamstress who works with theatre companies all over the South Bay. She is also Lyric Theatre’s costume shop manager. Kathleen loves to bring the excitement of opera to the stage. Kathleen’s credentials include a 2017 costume design award from San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle, and a 2018 nomination for costume design from Bay Area Theatre. 

Ask Kathleen about: Costume rentals