ROBIN FRANK

Robin Shuford Frank is Chorus Master, Music Administrator, and Director of Educational Outreach for Opera Naples, for which she also serves as Musical Director for youth and community productions. She engages Southwest Florida’s youth through the company’s Student Apprentice Program, community outreach performances, in-school tours, and Young Artist Program. An accomplished pianist, she serves as the rehearsal pianist for Opera Naples’ main productions as well as the pianist for community concerts and events. As chorus master, she prepares the adult and children’s choruses for all productions in which they appear. She is also the company’s orchestra personnel manager and librarian. Aside from her work with Opera Naples, Frank is the accompanist for The Festival Singers of Florida and also performs often with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and The Naples Players. She is a frequently sought guest accompanist for choral festivals around the country. 

Prior to moving to Naples, Frank was an Adjunct Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a rehearsal pianist for Palm Beach Opera, an Artist in Residence for Bak Middle School of the Arts, and a Pianist/Coach for Opera New Jersey. Frank has been an Adjunct Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University since 2009. She has a Masters degree from Westminster Choir College in Accompanying and Vocal Coaching and a Bachelors degree in Music Education from The Florida State University.

Samuel Carlton

Samuel Carlton received his master’s degree in choral conducting at Florida State University where he also received a bachelor of music in theory and composition. As a vocal soloist, he has made multiple appearances in Tallahassee performing with the FSU Student Opera Society, Florida State University Singers, FSU Chamber Choir, Tallahassee Civic Chorale, and Tallahassee Community Chorus. His solo performances include The Presidents in Leonard Bernstein’s A White House Cantata, Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, Page in Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Pilate in J.S. Bach’s St. John’s Passion. As a pianist, Samuel received first place in FSU’s annual piano competition for his performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Vingt Regards and Paul Hindemith’s Piano Sonata No. 3. He has also collaborated with many vocalists and choirs throughout the state of Florida. Samuel is also an established arranger with publications at Colla Voce and Beckenhorst Press. Currently, Samuel enjoys working as the owner of SMC Studios, a private music studio in Orlando Florida and as the worship leader and chancel choir director at Presbyterian Church of the Lakes.