Susanna Stranders is a British pianist, conductor and répétiteur on the music staff of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. She previously served as Head of Music and Chorus Master at Garsington Opera, where she conducted the world premiere of Orlando Gough and Richard Stilgoe’s Road Rage.

She studied at Exeter University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before spending three years in the USA at the University of Cincinnati, on the San Francisco Opera Merola Programme, and in the Houston Grand Opera Studio.

She has worked with leading companies and summer festivals including Glyndebourne and the Salzburg and Bregenz Festivals, has performed with major orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia, and has accompanied many distinguished singers in recital.

A dedicated educator, Susanna leads masterclasses, sits on competition juries, and has been the official pianist for the Neue Stimmen and Veronica Dunne International Singing Competitions. She is a trustee for the Spectra Ensemble and the Harpenden Music Foundation, and is Artistic Director of Opera Cameratina, supporting emerging professional singers. Susanna is delighted to be returning to the Oxenfoord family this year.