To address gender imbalance on opera podiums, TDO launched the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors, the only program of its kind, to train women conductors in 2015. More than 500 candidates from 40 nations have applied to be trained, advised, and supported by this extraordinary leadership initiative over the past decade.
This groundbreaking institute has helped change the face of classical music by significantly advancing the careers of women in the most visible position in the orchestra. The Dallas Opera celebrates its milestone 10th anniversary during the 2025/2026 Season with special retrospective events and a Showcase Concert in January.
2026/2027 Conductor Applications
Applications Due: June 1, 2026 11:59pm CDT
The Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors (HIWC) at The Dallas Opera is a global program designed to further the careers of distinctively talented female-identifying conductors. This season’s residency will take place in two parts: virtually from November 9-13, 2026 during which participants will be expected to attend remote sessions with master and guest faculty from 9:00am – 3:00pm CST, and in Dallas, TX from January 21-January 30, 2027.
This unique program includes an extensive rehearsal period with The Dallas Opera Orchestra, practical sessions with renowned conducting faculty, and seminars with prominent leaders in classical music and opera. Seminar topics include self and professional representation, comprehensive opera administration, best practice in opera operations, and other topics. At the end of the program, each conductor will have access to high resolution video material of themselves conducting full-length overtures and arias/ensembles with The Dallas Opera Orchestra.
Participants will receive an honorarium of $2,500.00, travel stipend, and housing while in Dallas, TX. Most meals will be provided as well and visa expenses will be covered by The Dallas Opera as required.
After the completion of the in-person period, one conductor will be selected to be the 2027/2028 Martha R. and Preston A. Peak Fellowship Fellow.
Hart Institute Fellowship
During the 2025/2026 Season, the Hart Institute launches a unique new fellowship. The Martha R. and Preston A. Peak Fellowship, a seasonal music staff position, will provide practical, firsthand experience as an assistant conductor, rehearsal pianist, offstage conductor, vocal coach, assistant chorus director, and more. TDO is proud to announce Jingqi Zhu (class of 2023) as the inaugural Martha R. and Preston A. Peak Fellowship recipient for the 2025/2026 Season. Among her duties, Zhu served as the assistant conductor for TDO’s season-opening production of Carmen in October.
Program History
In its first 10 years, the prestigious Hart Institute provided conducting opportunities with The Dallas Opera Orchestra and masterclasses with internationally-acclaimed Emmanuel Villaume, TDO’s The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director, and TDO’s Principal Guest Conductor, Nicole Paiement (the music director of San Francisco’s award-winning Opera Parallèle). The Hart Institute presented virtual and in-person seminars and workshops with prominent leaders in classical music and opera, with topics such as selecting the right artist manager, best practices in working with executive recruiters, opera management and fundraising, personal branding, media management, and more. A link to past panel discussions can be found below.
Each in-person January residency culminated in a public performance with The Dallas Opera Orchestra after which participants were provided with a high-resolution video that showcased their conducting style in full-length overtures, arias, and ensemble performances. After this 10th anniversary season, the Hart Institute will return to its original format in the 2026/2027 Season.
Panel Discussion Archives
Photo: Jingqi Zhu, Class of 2023, credit: Kyle Flubacker