Dr. Rimkus was born and raised in the Midwest. He moved to California for college and then medical school. Dr. Rimkus practices medicine and resides in Santa Barbara, California.  He has been an ardent opera enthusiast for over 30 years.

“I started with San Diego Opera while in school there, taking advantage of the special student rush an hour before performances.  Later I started going to other Opera companies, mainly on the West Coast.   For me, Opera is more than just entertainment.  In Opera, the solo voices, chorus and orchestra are joined to produce a precise and complex creation that lifts the audience above the bonds of our day to day existence.  Opera imbues the difficult things in life with a sense of beauty that makes the unavoidable pains and disappointments somehow more palatable.  Even happy occasions take on an added sense of musical joviality that adds to their delights.”

“The Opera Academy of California is providing an essential service to the Opera community in training young artists and offering  seldom seen operatic jewels for public enjoyment.  I am very pleased to provide support for this important institution.  I look forward to attending performances in this summer's  program.”