About TDO Connections
The Dallas Opera acknowledges that the stories we present on our stages have an impact on our audience, staff, artists, and communities. We are excited to invite our audiences and communities to join us in exploring the richness of opera through TDO Connections—our intentional process for human-centered, operatic storytelling designed by Quodesia D. Johnson. Each opera season, TDO will explore thematic elements relevant to our communities through select opera productions, collaborating with practitioners and specialists to present in-person and online engagement. This is a journey of collective learning, exploration, and connection that we are excited to continue sharing with our community
- 2025/2026 TDO Connections
- Season Perspectives Podcast Series
- Upcoming Events
- TDO Connections Archives
2025/2026 TDO Connections: Bold Decisions
Joyous celebration, tragic endings, courageous discoveries, and breathtaking moments enrich the storytelling on and of the opera stage. Bold decisions by the composers, librettists, creatives, and characters themselves give today’s society much to unpack. This season, TDO Connections explores the process and impact of bold decisions in the operas and throughout our community. Join us in examining how and why decisions are made and the impact of bold decisions through panel discussions, a podcast mini-series, and community healing and dialogue circles designed to support your opera experience.
TDO Connections Season Perspectives Podcast Series
Ever wonder how opera connects with society today? TDO Connections Season Perspectives is a new mini-podcast series featuring conversations by TDO staff members and guests exploring the human elements of opera through various perspectives.
Season Perspectives Podcast: CARMEN
Chorus Director and Head of Music Paolo Bressan joins Kristian Roberts and Quodesia “Quo” Johnson to discuss the bold decisions surrounding Carmen and the traditional set of what is now one of the most performed operas in the world.
TDO Connections Events
Free In-person Event
Community Healing and Dialogue Circle: Celebrating Bold Decisions
Rescheduled: Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10 AM
Karayanis Rehearsal and Production Center | 4301 S. Fitzhugh Ave. Dallas, TX 75210
This TDO Connections Community and Dialogue Circle offers an opportunity for community members to gather, share their stories, and learn. Bold Decisions happen every day and in many ways. Join Dallas-based healing practitioners Stefanie Tovar (Healing Arts with Stefanie Tovar) and Quodesia D. Johnson (Quo Johnson Co Project, LLC) in this offering of mindfulness, meditation and connection as we celebrate bold decisions both big and small.
This event is for all ages and all identities and includes sitting, movement, and optional writing/journaling. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring water, a yoga mat or cushion for a soft surface, pen/pencil, and paper/journal.
Stefanie Tovar, cofacilitator – Artist, Yoga Instructor, and Founder of Yena
Quodesia D. Johnson, cofacilitator – Equity Specialist and Healing Practitioner
Approximate run time: 2 hours (120 minutes) with a break/intermission.
Free Virtual Event
Opening Panel Discussion: Bold Decisions
Online Webinar
In the 2025/2026 Season’s TDO Connections panel discussion, Ken Novice (Broadway Dallas), Jane Schoen (Broadway Dallas), Robyn Short (Workplace Peace Institute) and Paolo Bressan (The Dallas Opera) discuss the importance of making bold decisions in storytelling and the performing arts. This online webinar is co-moderated by Quodesia D. Johnson and Kristian Roberts.
Kenneth T. Novice, panelist – President and CEO (Broadway Dallas)
Jane Scoen, panelist – Board of Directors (Broadway Dallas)
Robyn Short – Founder and CEO (Workplace Peace Institute)
Paolo Bressan, panelist – Conductor, Chorus Director and Head of Music (The Dallas Opera)
Quodesia D. Johnson, moderator – Equity Specialist, Healing Practitioner, Company Culture Consultant (The Dallas Opera)
Kristian Roberts, moderator – Director of Education (The Dallas Opera)
Free Virtual Event
Arts Administrator Community Circle: Making Bold Decisions in the Arts
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11 – 1 PM CT
Presenting art is courageous work requiring consistent effort and constant decision-making. The Dallas Opera presents an online healing and dialogue circle for arts administrators to explore the decision-making process and support the bold decisions of the visual and performing arts industry. Join Dallas-based, healing practitioners Stefanie Tovar (Healing Arts with Stefanie Tovar) and Quodesia D. Johnson (Quo Johnson Co Project, LLC) in this offering of mindfulness, celebration, and restoration.
This online event is for all administrators in the arts field of all levels and experiences. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably as there will be some movement. Bring water for hydration and plan to engage the entire time with cameras on for most of the offering.
Stefanie Tovar, cofacilitator – Artist, Yoga Instructor, and Founder of Yena
Quodesia D. Johnson, cofacilitator – Equity Specialist and Healing Practitioner
Approximate run time: 2 hours with a break/intermission.