Press Release | March 25, 2014
Contact: Patricia Kiernan Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications
212.796.8628; [email protected]
OPERA AMERICA APPOINTS KURT HOWARD AS MANAGING DIRECTOR
Howard brings over 25 years of opera administration and production experience
to this newly-created staff position
New York, NY—OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, is pleased to announce that Kurt Howard has joined its staff as managing director, effective immediately. Reporting to President/CEO Marc A. Scorca, Howard will oversee the areas of finance and operations, including those of OPERA America’s National Opera Center. This is a newly-created position that reflects the completion of the design, construction and opening of the organization’s National Opera Center.
Howard comes to OPERA America from a nearly 10-year career at Fort Worth Opera, most recently serving as the organization’s producing director since 2010. As both production manager and stage manager, he led the production team through the transition into a repertory/festival format, and was directly responsible for all aspects of production, including the development of new works premiered at Fort Worth Opera. His responsibilities included artistic and creative team management, budget development, and management and production oversight.
Howard has been associated with OPERA America for several years, chairing the Technical/Production Forum and participating in the Electronic Media and New Works Forums, serving as an adjudication panelist for the Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase and as a member of the Strategy Committee.
“We are thrilled to have Kurt join our staff,” stated Scorca. “He brings tremendous experience and knowledge to our organization at a time of great expansion following the opening of the National Opera Center.”
“I am very pleased to join the staff at OPERA America,” said Howard. “We look forward to developing new services for the industry following the completion of the National Opera Center and I am honored to work with Marc Scorca to advance the organization,” he continued. “My affiliation with Fort Worth Opera has provided many opportunities to learn about OPERA America and I am thrilled to join a team of colleagues I know so well.”
Howard will retain a relationship with Fort Worth Opera as producing advisor through the organization¹s world premiere of David T. Little and Royce Vavrek’s opera JFK in 2016.
For more information about OPERA America and its services,
visit operaamerica.org.
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About OPERA America
OPERA America (operaamerica.org) leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera.
- Artistic services help opera companies and creative and performing artists to improve the quality of productions and increase the creation and presentation of North American works.
- Information, technical and administrative services to opera companies reflect the need for strengthened leadership among staff, trustees and volunteers.
- Education, audience development and community services are designed to enhance all forms of opera appreciation.
Founded in 1970, OPERA America’s worldwide membership network includes nearly 200 Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and more than 10,000 subscribers to the association’s electronic news service. In response to the critical need for suitable audition, rehearsal and recording facilities, OPERA America opened the first ever NATIONAL OPERA CENTER (operaamerica.org/OperaCenter) in September 2012 in New York City. With a wide range of artistic and administrative services in a purpose-built facility, OPERA America is dedicated to increasing the level of excellence, creativity and effectiveness across the field.
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OPERA America | operaamerica.org
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001
tel: 212.796.8628 | fax: 212.796.8621
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