John Balme has served as the General Director of Boston Lyric Opera, the Lake George Opera Festival and as Music Director of the Liederkranz Foundation in NYC.

Mr. Balme has participated as conductor and/or producer in over 300 productions and has appeared as a guest conductor throughout the United States, conducting in Hawaii, Atlanta, San Diego, Fort Worth, Syracuse, Rochester, Boston and many other major cities. He is best known for producing and conducting Wagner's Ring Cycle in Boston and New York City in 1982 and 1983.

Other activities have included concert appearances as a pianist accompanying singers such as Carlo Bergonzi, Nicolai Gedda, Jerome Hines and Deborah Voigt. Mr. Balme has also played for Beverly Sills, Shirley Verrett, John Vickers, Sherrill Milnes and many other internationally acclaimed singers.

Mr. Balme has served on the faculties of the University of Texas (Austin), the University of Connecticut, New England Conservatory of Music and Northeastern University.

Mr. Balme attended Oxford University, the Royal College of Music, the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University.

Cynthia Springsteen has performed 39 leading soprano operatic roles as well as numerous concert performances. A specialist in the works of Verdi, Ms. Springsteen has performed 12 of that composer's operas including the title role in Aida, Violetta in La Traviata and Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera.

Ms. Springsteen made her Carnegie Hall debut singing Helene in the New York City premiere of Verdi's Jerusalem. She also sang the New York premiere of Verdi's "Ave Maria" at Lincoln Center. As leading soprano for New York Grand Opera, Ms. Springsteen participated in the historic presenting of all 28 of Verdi's operas in Central Park over an eight-year period from 1993-2001.  

Ms. Springsteen sang Leonore in Fidelio, and DonnaAnna in Don Giovanni for the Lake George Opera Festival, and has sung the title role in Norma and several major roles from the operas of Richard Strauss for the Liederkranz Opera Theatre.  Other performances include the title role in Tosca for Longwood Opera in Boston and the role of Senta in Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollaender for Boston Lyric Opera.

Ms. Springsteen has degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and Temple University and received her professional vocal training from the prestigious teacher Armen Boyajian.