DOUGLAS FISHER, Professor and Director of Opera Activities, has been conductor and coach of the opera program at FSU since 1990. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in piano performance from the Florida State University School of Music. He has taught at New York University, the University of Southern California, and the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, City University of New York. Most recently serving as a conductor for Houston Grand Opera's national tour of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, Fisher has also worked as conductor, coach, and chorusmaster for Wolf Trap Opera, Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Opera Columbus, Augusta Opera, Texas Opera Theater and Santa Fe Opera.

Also active as a recital accompanist for singers, Fisher has performed with such artists as Kiri Te Kanawa (Metropolitan Opera House), Marilyn Horne, Frederica von Stade, Judith Blegen, Anna Moffo and others. Mr. Fisher regularly joins members of the Florida State University string and wind faculties in chamber music performances.