Women's Opera Network
OPERA America’s Women’s Opera Network (WON) is an action group of opera professionals from all sectors of the field dedicated to advancing gender equity in the industry.
Women represent more than half of the national population, yet the percentage of women in leadership roles within the field of opera is comparatively small. Founded in 2015, the Women’s Opera Network works to:
- Increase awareness of and discussion about gender parity in the field.
- Create action plans to promote the advancement of talented women.
- Become a source of support for emerging female professionals.
Get Involved
Participation in the Women’s Opera Network is open to anyone affiliated with the opera industry and supportive of the Network’s goals. You can get involved by requesting to join the Facebook group or listserv.
WON Facebook Group WON Listserv
For additional information, contact us at Membership@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5248.
Upcoming Events:
Women's Opera Network Forum
March 26–27, 2024 | Virtual
The inaugural Women's Opera Network Forum presents a unique platform for opera professionals identifying as women and their allies to convene and tackle the distinctive challenges prevalent in the field. This gathering aims to foster community, exchange resources, establish objectives, and provide actionable advice for effectively traversing various career stages. It offers a supportive environment where attendees can collaborate, learn from one another's experiences, and empower each other to overcome obstacles and achieve professional fulfillment in the opera industry.
The forum takes place March 26 & 27 and is free for all OPERA America members. Non-members can participate by joining as $75 Individual Members.
The Women's Opera Network Forum is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Research and Resources
2020 Research: Women in Opera Leadership
A new survey of women in leadership positions shows increases in representation at mid-sized opera companies.
Women in Opera Database
A database of female-identifying practitioners of opera whose work takes place outside of the footlights.
Programs and Organizations Supporting Women in Opera
A list of initiatives leading the way in gender parity in opera and the performing arts.
Women and the Arts: A Reading List
A list of reports and articles about the state of gender parity in the arts.
Women in the Workplace 2020
The largest comprehensive study of women in corporate America, by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org.
The Women's Leadership Gap
A Center for American Progress numerical report on the underrepresentation of women in executive positions.
OPERA America Programs
Women's Opera Network Steering Committee
Stacy Brightman
Executive Director, The Ebell of Los Angeles
Veronica Chapman-Smith
Vice President of Community Initiatives, Opera Philadelphia
Christine Goerke
Associate Artistic Director, Detroit Opera
Aliana de la Guardia
Pipers Gunnarson
General Director and CEO, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Rebecca Hass
Cheryl Hickman, Co-Chair
General and Artistic Director, Opera on the Avalon
Shawn Marie Jeffrey
Vice President | Classical & Creatives, UIA Talent
Laura Kaminsky
Composer
Kristine McIntyre
Stage Director
Janine Morita Colletti
Katie Preissner
Managing Director, Artistic & Production, Opera San Jose
Deborah Sandler Kemper, Founding Chair and Special Advisor
General Director and CEO, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Diana Solomon-Glover
Composer/Librettist
Krysty Swann
Mezzo Soprano
Amanda Viles
Connie Yun
Past Steering Committee Members
Alejandra Valarino Boyer
Director, Ravinia Steans Music Institute
Clare Burovac
General Director, New Orleans Opera
Annie Burridge
General Director, Austin Opera
Ana De Archuleta
Director of Artistic Operations, National Sawdust; President and Founder, A.D.A. Artist Management
Carol E. Domina
Trustee, Opera Omaha
Managing Director, Metropolitan Opera
Peggy Kriha Dye
General Director and CEO, Virginia Opera
Nicole Ambos Freber, Co-Chair
Managing Director of Advancement, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Jessica Jahn
Costume Designer
Barbara Lynne Jamison
General Director, Kentucky Opera
Ashley Magnus
General Director, Chicago Opera Theater
Karen Quisenberry
Vice President, Production, Minnesota Opera
Deborah Sandler Kemper, Founding Chair and Special Advisor
General Director and CEO, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Jeri Sedlar
National Opera Center Facilities Board, OPERA America
Karen Slack, Co-Chair
Soprano; Artistic Advisor, Portland Opera
Kathryn Smith
General Director, Madison Opera
Talise Trevigne
Soprano
Francesca Zambello, Advisor
Artistic Director, Washington National Opera; Artistic and General Director, The Glimmerglass Festival