Engaging Opera's New Audiences Webinar
Dan Cooperman, chief advancement officer, OPERA America
Dan Cooperman, chief advancement officer, joined OA in 2015 and oversees the organization’s development, membership, marketing, and communications. He previously served as director of development for BalletX, a contemporary ballet company in Philadelphia.
Lawrence Edelson, general director, Chicago Opera Theater
Lawrence Edelson is highly respected not only as a critically acclaimed stage director, but also as a visionary company leader who has created programs in the areas of artist mentorship and new works development that have served as models of innovation for opera companies across the United States. Lawrence is the Founder and Artistic and General Director of American Lyric Theater (ALT) in New York City. At ALT, Lawrence created the Composer Librettist Development Program, which is the only full-time, multi-year professional training program for emerging operatic writers in the United States. From 2014-2022, Lawrence also served as Artistic and General Director of Opera Saratoga. In 2023, he was appointed General Director of Chicago Opera Theater, a role he now holds concurrent with his position at ALT.
Sarah K. Ivins, director of marketing and communications, OPERA America
Sarah K. Ivins joined OPERA America as director of marketing and communications in 2021 after seven years leading marketing at Ars Nova, an off-Broadway theater known for KPOP and Small Mouth Sounds. She oversees brand and audience development for OPERA America and the National Opera Center and serves as liaison to the Marketing/PR Network. Originally from Pittsburgh, she now calls New York City home, celebrating 10 years in the city. Outside of work, she enjoys NYC’s cultural offerings and has been a member of the Riverside Choral Society since 2017.
Katherine Powers, executive director, Pacific Opera Project
Katherine Powers was named executive director of Pacific Opera Project in early 2023 and now spearheads development, finance, and strategic planning. She previously served as the founding director of vocal arts at California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley, a nonprofit charter school for the arts. There, she managed all conservatory operations, including strategic planning, curriculum design, faculty and staff oversight, event production, and fiscal management. During her seven years as director, she established community partnerships with LA Opera, The Music Center, LA Master Chorale, Muse/ique, Descanso Gardens, the Huntington Library, and Seraphic Fire. She also created an annual master artist series, engaging artists such as Angel Blue, Susan Graham, Nathan Gunn, Eric Whitacre, Moira Smiley, and Grant Gershon. An opera singer with a strong background in arts education, Powers has held positions at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Occidental College, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and California State University Los Angeles and has taught for the YoungArts Foundation. She has been a teaching artist for LA Opera Connects since 2012. She holds an associate’s degree in theater from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, a B.A. in music from UCLA, and an M.M. in vocal performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Janet Sarbaugh, former vice president of the Creativity Program, The Heinz Endowments
Janet Sarbaugh served as the Vice President of the Creativity Program for The Heinz Endowments until her retirement in December 2022. Under Sarbaugh’s direction, The Heinz Endowments’ Creativity program focused on Creative Artists and Organizations, Creative Places, and Creative Learning, and distributed approximately $16 million annually. Prior to her appointment as Vice President, Ms. Sarbaugh served as Director of Arts and Culture Programs at the Heinz Endowments, and as a program officer at the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Heinz Endowments.
Janet holds a B.A. from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia; a M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and an Master’s Degree in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She has served on the boards of Chorus America, Americans for the Arts, Grantmakers in the Arts, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania and Leadership Pittsburgh. She currently serves on the boards of City of Asylum, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and Cave Canem. She is a member of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.
Morgan Sass, director of marketing, The Florentine Opera
Morgan Sass is the Director of Marketing at the Florentine Opera, where she focuses on turning curiosity into connection—and first-time buyers into loyal fans. As a former wedding planner, she knows a thing or two about crafting unforgettable experiences and obsessing over the details no one else notices (but everyone feels). Since joining the Florentine, she’s led the charge in developing a bold, witty, and welcoming brand voice—one that’s now instantly recognizable (and delightfully offbeat). She’s also worked to elevate Florentine’s overall communication strategy, ensuring that every message across postcards, programs, and promotions feels personal, fun, and completely un-stuffy. Her work has helped increase retention among new buyers and contributed to a multi-year growth in subscription renewals. She’s currently developing new ways to welcome solo attendees and first-timers into the fold. Her philosophy? The intrigue brings them in—but the experience brings them back.
Troy Smith, chief marketing officer, San Francisco Opera
Troy Smith joined San Francisco Opera in August of 2020 after a long career in the professional sports industry. As Chief marketing Office, Troy is responsible for all marketing functions including audience growth initiatives, branding, advertising, social media, web content and e-commerce, box office, ticket sales revenue.