Our Mission
CantiamoPDX empowers aspiring singers through immersive Bel Canto training, masterclasses, and community events. Committed to musical excellence, we nurture tomorrow's vocal artists in a free, welcoming environment.
Meet Daniel Mobbs
Daniel Mobbs, a Sullivan Foundation Award winner and graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts, is a distinguished American bass-baritone who has performed with leading opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Philadelphia, Washington National Opera, New York City Opera, and Los Angeles Opera. His career spans a wide range of principal roles across the operatic repertoire, with notable performances at the Caramoor International Music Festival and longstanding collaborations with Portland Opera and other major institutions. In addition to his extensive stage work, he has appeared in numerous orchestral performances of major choral works such as Verdi’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Carmina Burana with prominent symphonies across the United States.
Daniel currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor in Voice at the University of Portland while continuing to perform in both operatic and concert settings.
Meet Will Crutchfield
Will Crutchfield is an American conductor, musicologist, and vocal coach recognized for his influential work in bel canto opera. He is the founding Artistic and General Director of Teatro Nuovo. He has served for two decades as Director of Opera at the Caramoor International Music Festival, where he conducted more than 30 operas by Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, and Verdi with leading international artists. His conducting career includes engagements with the Polish National Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Washington National Opera, Minnesota Opera, and the Rossini Opera Festival, as well as serving as Music Director of Opera de Colombia. A noted scholar, he has contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and other journals, prepared critical editions for Ricordi and the Fondazione Rossini, and received honors including a Guggenheim Fellowship and recognition as one of Musical America’s “Movers and Shapers.”
Meet Colin Shepard
Colin Alexei Shepard is a Portland-based collaborative pianist, music coach, and conductor who serves as Music Director at Cedar Hills United Church of Christ and as the first choral staff pianist for the Portland State University choral program. An active performer across the region, he has worked extensively with leading arts organizations including Portland Concert Opera, Opera Theater Oregon, Resonance Ensemble, and Broadway Rose Theatre, and has appeared in recital with Metropolitan Opera Grammy-winner Audrey Luna. A specialist in vocal collaboration, he has accompanied more than 600 recitals and participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Lawrence Brownlee, Frederica von Stade, Angela Meade, and Vinson Cole. A graduate of Portland State University with a Master’s in Piano Performance, Shepard has also served as Principal Keyboardist with the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra and has been featured on All Classical FM, contributing to both performance and recording projects throughout the region.