Espresso Vivace

Our charter is to research, develop, and prepare caffe espresso as new culinary art. “Espresso Vivace” translates loosely as great enthusiasm and excitement for espresso, the new world coffee.

Vivace is a partnership founded by David Schomer and Geneva Sullivan in 1988. Since 1992 we have been roasting in the Northern Italian style: searching the world for the mildest arabicas and bringing each bean in our blends to the fragrant peak of caramelized sugar content. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has described Vivace espresso as the best coffee in the US, if not the world. (See reviews)

In 1995 David authored a book “ESPRESSO COFFEE: Professional Techniques” that was updated in 2004.  This year he has published “ESPRESSO COFFEE 2013” the third revision of the original. The book is in its eighth printing in English but is also available in Japanese, Russian, and Korean. David has also produced two DVD courses for barista training “Caffe Latte Art” and “Techniques of the Barista”. These are also updated to reflect twenty-five years of hands-on research.

Naturally, this research gives us very precise brewing results. This precision allows us to identify, with great accuracy, the peak development of each coffee we use in our blends. Vivace is, literally, the caramel coffee.

Our Team

David Schomer

Co-Founder/Co-Owner / CEO

In 1987 David got very excited by the espresso method. He started a company with his wife at the time, Geneva Sullivan, called Espresso Vivace (literally, espresso excitement). Currently, he is responsible for quality control, roasting, and training, and visits each shop daily. His background includes a BA in Cultural Anthropology from UW and a BFA in Flute Performance from Cornish College of the Arts. Previous work experience: four years in the USAF training in electronic calibration and repair, a stint as a metrologist at the Boeing Class A Standards Lab, and Canvas Coordinator for Greenpeace NW. His hobbies include skiing, bicycling, and the pool.

Geneva Sullivan

Co-Founder/Co-Owner

When Geneva and David started Espresso Vivace in 1988, she was working as a technician full time. It was her salary that saw Vivace through the beginning stages, her strength and wisdom that got them through the “night sweats” of not knowing if they would survive or not, and her tenacity that got Espresso Vivace through the biggest challenge: making the transition from coffee carts to indoor stores in 1992 through to the present.

Kasey Frix

General Manager / Brix Bar Manager

It’s been quite a wonderful journey for Kasey, working here since June of 1999. Being a part of the Vivace family is a blessing and he is especially grateful for the tutelage of Brian Fairbrother who taught him everything he knows about being a good manager. Vivace’s exceptional coffee and wonderful customers are what get him motivated each day. When not working, Kasey enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson with his husband, José. Movies, music, gardening, and cooking are all passions of his as well as spending time with those who are nearest and dearest to him.

Teal Allan

Alley 24 Manager / Latte Art Trainer

Working at Vivace for 19+ years has provided Teal with a space to interact with a city full of lovely people and craft a top-notch product. This position has allowed him to grow as a culinary artist and teacher, two of his favorite things. Landscape design, music, and animals are some of his other favorite things on this earth. Teal has been fortunate to have some great mentors over the years and strives to maintain meaningful interactions drink by drink.

Darren Johnson

Production Facility Manager

Darren joined Espresso Vivace in 1999 as a barista. In 2005 he started working as a roaster in the production facility and worked his way up to become the manager. In 2015 he helped move Vivace’s roasting facility from a small garage space into the larger production facility they now currently occupy. Darren holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Cornish College of the arts and in his spare time works as a freelance writer and director.