Bruce Olstad is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bodhi Tree Concerts North.  Mr. Olstad holds the position of chorusmaster for Sacramento Opera, Livermore Valley Opera and West Bay Opera (Palo Alto), and was guest chorusmaster for Festival Opera’s recent production of Otello.  Additionally, he regularly serves as assistant conductor with both Livermore Valley Opera and West Edge Opera (Berkeley).  Mr. Olstad is music director of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.  Additionally, he is music director of the San Benito Oriana Choral in Hollister, and maintains a private vocal coaching studio in San Jose.  Upcoming engagements include an appearance as pianist for one of a set of U.S. premier performances of Massenet’s opera Thérèse in Los Angeles.  For five seasons, Mr. Olstad held the position of chorusmaster at Opera San José, where he also served as vocal coach and rehearsal pianist, and for many years he was vocal coach and pianist for the opera workshop at San Jose State University. As a pianist, Mr. Olstad has played for the master classes of baritone Thomas Hampson and dramatic soprano Luana DeVol. Mr. Olstad holds a master’s degree in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from the University of Southern California.