TDO’s Hart Institute, launched in 2015, is the only program of its kind in the world and seeks to address the extreme gender imbalance of leadership on the podium as well as in administration in opera companies. Now in its seventh year, more than 500 women conductors from 40 nations have applied to be trained, advised, and supported by this extraordinary initiative.
This groundbreaking institute, which has changed the face of classical music by significantly advancing the careers of women in the most visible position in the orchestra, will take place via a hybrid residency with virtual sessions in November 2022 and in-person sessions in January 2023.
The culmination of each season’s program is a festive “Showcase Concert” where each participant conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra and singers in a program of operatic favorites in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. The Hart Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert took place on Saturday, January 28, 2023.
2022 Participating Conductors:
Celia Llácer Carbonell
Yuwon Kim
Blair Salter
Anna Sułkowska–Migoń
2022 Administrators:
View Free Livestream Panel Discussions
The TDO Connections™ theme for the 2022/2023 Season is the creativity, leadership, and representation of women. The Dallas Opera’s Hart Institute for Women Conductors provides a platform for conversation with panelists from different sectors and disciplines who will discuss the roles, impact, and representation of women in the arts, business, and community from historic, academic, and personal perspectives. We hope that you will join us for these informative and inspiring conversations.
Women in Art and Leadership
TUE, NOV 15, 2022, 1:00 PM CT | Livestream
Moderator:
Quodesia D. Johnson, The Dallas Opera Company Culture Consultant
Panelists:
Afton Battle, General Director – Fort Worth Opera, Founder – BGM Consulting
Teresa Coleman Wash, Executive Artistic Director – Bishop Arts Theatre Center
Yuki Izumihara, Production Designer
Ella Marchment, Opera Director
Diane Hosey, Philanthropic Outreach – Embrey Family Foundation
Local, national, and international women leaders join The Dallas Opera’s Hart Institute for Women Conductors for a candid and powerful discussion about the realities of women across multiple fields, including opera, theater, design, and grantmaking. Panelists share their experiences and what it means to thrive in their roles. There will be an opportunity for audience questions.
This panel discussion was livestreamed on thedallasopera.TV and is available to view for free.
Cultivating an Opera Community
THU, NOV 17, 2022, 9:30 AM CT | Livestream
Moderator:
Quodesia D. Johnson, The Dallas Opera Company Culture Consultant
Panelists:
Jennifer Bowman, Director of Community and Learning – Houston Grand Opera
Rebecca Kirk, Director of Community and Learning – Boston Lyric Opera
Kristian Roberts, Director of Education – The Dallas Opera
Elizabeth Askren, Conductor and HIWC Alumna & Faculty – The Dallas Opera
Cynthia López Pérez, Soprano, Arts Administrator, and Founder of Latina Women in Opera
Opera thrives on community, making community engagement essential for a flourishing arts organization. Civic practice, education, audience development, outreach, and engagement require different approaches when developing an opera base. Panelists discuss the various ways to cultivate a community of opera-goers, lovers, and creators. There will be an opportunity for audience questions.
This panel discussion was livestreamed on thedallasopera.TV and is available to view for free.
About the Program
The world’s first program designed to meet the needs of women opera conductors, the prestigious Hart Institute provides conducting opportunities with The Dallas Opera Orchestra and masterclasses with the internationally-acclaimed music director of The Dallas Opera, Emmanuel Villaume, and TDO’s Principal Guest Conductor, Nicole Paiement (the music director of San Francisco’s award-winning Opera Parallèle). The Hart Institute presents seminars and one-on-ones with prominent leaders in classical music and opera. Topics include selecting the right artist manager, best practices in working with executive recruiters, opera management and fundraising, personal branding, media management, and more.
At the end of the program, each conductor will have access to a high-resolution video that shows her conducting full-length overtures and arias or ensembles with The Dallas Opera Orchestra. This material will be hosted on the TDO website and may be viewed by prospective artist managers, opera general directors, symphony CEOs, artistic directors, and administrators, as well as the media.
While The Dallas Opera is not able to make a firm commitment to every participant in this program, TDO’s future seasons will welcome back former participants of the Hart Institute in a variety of assistant conductor and guest conductor roles.
While the Hart Institute began with a focus on supporting talented conductors, the challenges faced by women opera administrators are equally daunting. To address this imbalance, The Dallas Opera has added a new component to the institute by inviting two to four American opera administrators to join the program each season. These women will be selected on the basis of their leadership experience and potential to become the leader of one of America’s top opera companies later in their careers. They will attend virtual sessions alongside conducting participants as well as attend part of the in-person time as well. This curriculum includes the role of the Board, leadership development, personal branding, media and PR training, effective artist management, and navigating recruiting processes for senior-level positions. To continue to develop their musical skills, which is essential for any opera executive, the administrators will observe rehearsals with The Dallas Opera Orchestra and conducting masterclasses. Special sessions on Marketing, Development, and Finance will also be offered to these administrators.
