Livermore Valley Opera's Artistic Director, Erie Mills, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Opera Association.

Mills, who has led Livermore Valley Opera since 2016, is a soprano with an impressive background, having performed with renowned organizations such as the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Wiener Staatsoper, English National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and New York City Opera. She currently teaches privately in San Francisco and was also a faculty member at San José State University. Additionally, she serves on the boards of various music organizations, including the Board of Directors of Opera America.

“I’m thrilled to join this wonderful group of people, and I thank the National Opera Association for this honor,” Mills said in a statement to Independent News. “Opera has been a part of my life for nearly 50 years. I love the art form and want others to enjoy it as much as I do.”

Mills will receive the award at the National Opera Association's national conference this January.