The Sembrich Staff

Artistic Director Richard Wargo has been leading programming at The Sembrich since 1991. This composer, librettist, and musical scholar has been lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a “fresh new voice in American opera” and by Opera News as “a born opera composer.” A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, he graduated from the Eastman School of Music. His recognitions include being a two-time recipient of the Belin Arts Scholarship, and receiving grants from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Endowment for the Arts, and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. In November of 2015, Wargo was awarded the “Order of Merit” medal by the Polish government at the Lviv Opera House in Ukraine. Richard served as composer-in-residence of Milwaukee’s Skylight Opera Theatre, where his opera Ballymore was premiered and recorded for PBS. Recent performances of Ballymore include productions by Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland and by Chelsea Opera in New York City. In 2021 his opera The Music Shop received its Canadian premiere at Vancouver Opera.

Richard Wargo, Artistic Director

Ginny Britt is a marketing professional who brings a background in business development, Ecommerce, and event planning to The Sembrich. As the Director of Administration, Ginny oversees all the day-to-day operations of the organization, and enjoys getting to know the patrons, artists, and organizations who visit The Sembrich. With a love of sewing and background in fashion, Madame Sembrich’s costumes hold particular appeal to her. She has completed professional development studies relating to the care of antique textiles, and the re-housing of textile objects in museum collections. After living and working in New York City for a number of years, moving back to her home town in the Adirondacks was the start of her next adventure. When she’s not enjoying lakeside performances at The Sembrich, Ginny can be found enjoying time with her husband and son on Paradox Lake. Ginny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel and Textiles from Oneonta State University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fashion Merchandising Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Caleb Eick is a multi-faceted arts professional, maintaining an active life as a performer, scholar, and administrator. For The Sembrich, Caleb oversees development activities, educational outreach, strategic marketing, and curatorial affairs. As a scholar, Caleb researches, writes, and presents on historic operatic personalities from America’s “Gilded Age,” including Marcella Sembrich. When not working behind the scenes, Caleb performs as a soloist and in chamber music recitals with friends and colleagues from around the globe. Caleb is an engaging performer and dedicates the majority of his performing activities to art song and chamber repertoire.

A passionate advocate for the arts, Caleb sits on the Board of Directors for the Russian Chamber Art Society in Washington, D.C., and Klinkhart Arts Center in Sharon Springs, NY. He recently completed a professional studies certificate in Visual & Performing Arts Management at New York University and a fellowship with the Institute for Nonprofit Leadership & Community Development at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy. Caleb holds a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance & Pedagogy from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice from The College of Saint Rose.