OPERA OMAHA NAMES ALLISON SWENSON AS NEW GENERAL DIRECTOR
Omaha, Nebraska, January 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Media contact:
Kyle Thomas, Director of Marketing and Communications
(402) 661-8433
[email protected]
OPERA OMAHA NAMES ALLISON SWENSON AS NEW GENERAL DIRECTOR
(Omaha, NE) – Opera Omaha is pleased to announce Allison Swenson as Principal Director.
Swenson will succeed Roger Weitz as the nineteenth CEO in the company’s history.
With 20 years of experience in the field, Swenson’s work includes time with the Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Festival and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, working with emerging talent and seasoned artists. She currently serves as the director of development at the Santa Fe Opera, the largest festival opera company in the United States, starting in 2010 as assistant to former general director Charles MacKay.
“Allison is one of the brightest, most accomplished artistic directors of her generation,” MacKay said. “She has a wide range of experience with major American arts organizations. Beginning her operatic career at an early age, Allison has an outstanding record as a fundraiser, manager and artistic administrator, and she is dedicated to advancing the art form. Her new role at Opera Omaha promises to be immensely beneficial to both the company and the field of opera.”
“We have set the goal of finding a new leader who will be able to take Opera Omaha to an even higher level, building on the success achieved during Roger’s tenure,” said Board Chair Elisa Davies. said. “Of the nearly 40 candidates reviewed, Allison rose above the other candidates with her artistic and development experience, and especially her deep network at the highest levels of the opera business. Allison’s references included key artistic and administrative leaders, who uniformly congratulated Opera Omaha for luring Allison to Omaha.”
Swenson, the child of two music teachers, grew up surrounded by classical music. Her father established a Metropolitan Opera Guild membership in her name when she was an infant, and she studied piano with her mother from the age of four. As a teenager, she sang in state and national honor choirs.
Swenson received a dual degree in Voice Performance and Integrated Marketing Communications from Ithaca College, where she was a Presidential Scholar and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
“Opera Omaha is a jewel among American opera companies,” Swenson said. “I have long admired their spirit of creativity and impressive track record of discovering emerging talent. The company has flourished under the leadership of Roger Weitz, and I am honored to follow him in this role. I am grateful to the transition committee, board and staff for their trust and welcoming me so warmly, and I look forward to joining the vibrant arts community in Omaha.”
Swenson will begin her role in mid-February after transferring to Omaha.
###
ABOUT OPERA OMAHA
Opera Omaha is a growth-minded, high-energy and innovative company with a demanding mission: producing opera performances in various formats and styles and co-creating artist-led programs for a variety of community service organizations. We believe the power of opera is transformative and supports the creation of an inventive, creative, empathetic and inclusive community that inspires joy, self-discovery, kinder discourse and opportunity for all. Visit www.operaomaha.org for more information.
Opera Omaha’s Principal Director, Allison Swenson
