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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

Join OPERA America's Women's Opera Network by enrolling in the WON Listserv for updates on network priorities and activities. Participation in the network is open to anyone affiliated with the opera industry and supportive of the network’s goals. Members can enlist by logging in to their member portal. All others can request access via the online form.

WON Listserv Request Form 

 

You can also share articles, opportunities, and other information with network members on the WON Community Board on Facebook.

WON Community Board   

 

For additional information, contact us at Membership@operaamerica.org.

Women's Opera Network Forum

March 25–26, 2025 | Virtual

The 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 25 and 26 and is free for all OPERA America members. Non-members can participate by joining as Individual Members for $75 (Digital Membership) or $125 (Signature Membership). 

The Women's Opera Network Forum is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Member Non-Member
Women's Opera Network Forum 2025 Schedule
Tuesday, March 25, 2025:

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET • Opening Women's Healing Circle

1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. ET • Break  

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET • Reproductive Health Presentation

  • Featuring Dr. Kimberly Monzon and Marsha Thompson

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. ET • Break  

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. ET • Reproductive Health Q&A (closed session)

  • Featuring Dr. Kimberly Monzon and Marsha Thompson
Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET • Women's Writing Workshop: Telling Women's Stories in Their Own Words  

  • Featuring Deborah Brevoort, librettist

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET • Leading Women in the Workplace

  • Featuring Julia Noulin-Merat, general director, Opera Columbus

1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET • Break  

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. ET • Allyship: Garnering Support from Allies

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET • Break

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET • Closing Session

  • Featuring Noelle Deutsch, director of production and operations, OPERA America

Research and Resources

Report
2020 Research: Women in Opera Leadership

A new survey of women in leadership positions shows increases in representation at mid-sized opera companies.

January 15, 2020
Resource
Women in Opera Database

A database of female-identifying practitioners of opera whose work takes place outside of the footlights.

March 25, 2018
Collection
Programs and Organizations Supporting Women in Opera

A list of initiatives leading the way in gender parity in opera and the performing arts.

March 01, 2020
Collection
Women and the Arts: A Reading List

A list of reports and articles about the state of gender parity in the arts.

March 01, 2020
Report
Women in the Workplace 2020

The largest comprehensive study of women in corporate America, by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org.

September 30, 2020
Report
The Women's Leadership Gap

A Center for American Progress numerical report on the underrepresentation of women in executive positions.

November 20, 2018

OPERA America Programs

Program
Mentorship Program for Women Administrators
Pairing the field’s most promising female professionals with opera leaders to support their career goals.
Program
Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants
Supports the development of new operas by women directly to individual composers who identify as women, increasing diversity across the field.
Program
Opera Grants for Women Composers: Commissioning Grants
Supports the development of new operas by women, advancing the important objective of increasing diversity across the field.
Women's Opera Network Steering Committee

Veronica Chapman-Smith
vice president of community initiatives, Opera Philadelphia

Christine Goerke
associate artistic director, Detroit Opera 

Carleen Graham, co-chair
Ed.D – dean of vocal arts, Manhattan School of Music

Aliana de la Guardia
artistic director, treasurer, co-funding artist, ensemble member, Guerilla Opera

Piper Gunnarson

Jessica Jahn, co-chair
costume designer

Shawn Marie Jeffrey
vice president, classical & creatives, UIA Talent 

Dani Keil
chief operating officer, Tulsa Opera

Janine Morita Colletti
stage director

Katie Preissner
managing director, artistic & production, Opera San Jose

Diana Solomon-Glover
composer, librettist

Krysty Swann
mezzo-soprano

Robin Whiffen, co-chair
executive director, Edmonton Opera

Connie Yun
lighting designer

In This Section
LGBTQIA+ Opera Network
Racial Justice Opera Network
Women's Opera Network
Opera Teaching Artists Network