(Credit: Sergio Reyes)

The Milnes VOICE Programs, incorporating the Savannah VOICE Festival and VOICExperience Foundation, has announced an expansion of leadership within the organization.

The program revealed that Sherrill Milnes, Co-Founder and Artistic Director and Maria Zouves, Co-Founder and Executive Director, will now become Presidents and Co-Founders as they turn over their current roles to new leadership.

Executive responsibilities will be handed over to former Education and Outreach Coordinator Chad Sonka and conductor and board member, Jorge Parodi, will carry the baton as Artistic Director.

Additionally, Lani Winskye will remain Managing Director for a short tenure before she takes on a new position of Director of Education. Both Milnes and Zouves will remain significantly involved in the work of the non-profit organizations and will continue their work in guiding and supporting the vision and initiatives of the programs.

The new leadership will coincide with SVF’s 10th anniversary.

In a press statement, Zouves said, “Creating and fostering VOICExperience and the Savannah VOICE Festival has been such a joy and honor, and I thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years. Sherrill and I will always remain at the heart of the organization and couldn’t be happier about the appointments of the very talented Jorge Parodi and Chad Sonka, as well as our invaluable Lani Winskye’s new role in education. This team is known and respected by artists and supporters, and I know that our community partners and patrons will once again be swept off their feet in SVF’s 10th anniversary year.”

Meanwhile, Parodi noted, “I would like to thank the board of the Sherrill Milnes VOICE programs for trusting me to fill the biggest shoes ever and continuing the legacy of the great Sherrill Milnes as Artistic Director of VOICExperience and the Savannah VOICE Festival. It is with humble excitement that I accept this position, and I thank you for the opportunity to share this new chapter with the support of Sherrill and Maria, alongside my dear friend and new Executive Director, Chad Sonka.”

For his part, Sonka added, “I have worked beside Maria and Sherrill for the past few years, and it has been one of the great privileges of my career. I couldn’t be more excited to take on this significant role and carry on their legacies during this very special 10th anniversary season. I’m looking forward to a season of community, talent, cultivation, and fun.”