Korean  adoptee, Dr. Casey Robards (Ahn SuhJung) is a music director, pianist and vocal coach known for her sensitive musicality, expert collaborative skill, stylistic versatility and expressive conducting. Delighting in collaboration, her recent recital partners include Kenneth Overton, Karen Slack, LaToya Lain, and Bernhard Scully. She has been dedicated to the performance, research and promotion of music by Black composers and writers for nearly three decades, with a focus on the Negro spiritual as well as places of intersection between gospel, jazz and classical music. In 2024-2025, Robards will conduct productions with Indianapolis Opera, Opera Columbus, El Paso Opera, and Soo Opera. Robards is Music Director of Ensemble Concert 21, a chamber group devoted to the performance of contemporary music and the mentorship of young and emerging composers. She has worked as repetiteur for Santa Fe Opera, New Orleans Opera, and Kentucky Opera. She currently is on the faculty of the University of Illinois.