Opera Innovators Series
Co-Artistic Directors of the Series
Nina Yoshida Nelsen and Isaí Jess Muñoz
Through masterclasses, workshops, and collaborative projects, the Opera Innovators Series bridges artistry and education, ensuring opera remains a vibrant, evolving art form for today’s audiences.
Presented in partnership by Boston Lyric Opera and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the Opera Innovators Series brings together visionary artists and creative leaders in opera for a dynamic educational and professional development program. OIS offers Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artists and BCB voice students unparalleled access to groundbreaking perspectives, fostering the next generation of opera’s innovators.
BLO and Boston Conservatory share a commitment to honoring opera’s rich traditions while reimagining its future—exploring bold new approaches to storytelling, performance, and community engagement. Guest artists have included BLO’s acclaimed artistic leaders and performers, such as Lawrence Brownlee (Mitridate 2024) and Christine Goerke (Die tote Stadt 2025).
2025/26 Opera Innovators Series
Coming soon
Want to watch? Stream any of our Opera Innovator events for free: https://bostonconservatory.berklee.edu/seully-hall
Some of the programs will take place at Boston Lyric Opera’s expanded Opera + Community Studios in Fort Point, and some of the programs will be at Boston Conservatory.
Previous Seasons:
2024/25 Opera Innovators Series
Lawrence Brownlee | September 8, 2024
Morris Robinson | November 12, 2024
Wendy Bryn Harmer | December 6, 2024
Christine Goerke | March 9, 2025
Jamie Barton | April 8, 2025
2023/24 Opera Innovators Series
David Angus | September 15, 2023
Rodell Rosel | September 20, 2023
W. Stephen Smith | October 20, 2023
Cecelia Hall | October 27, 2023
Sandra Piques Eddy | Dec 8, 2023
Sasha Cooke | January 25, 2024
Shawn Marie Jeffery | February 27, 2024
Matthew Aucoin | March 5, 2024
2022/23 Opera Innovators Series
Yuval Sharon | September 23, 2022
Karen Slack | December 9, 2022
Nina Yoshida Nelsen | January 27, 2023
Anne Bogart | March 2023
Lauren Michelle | April 2023
About Opera Innovators
“In a rapidly changing industry, the opportunity for emerging professional singers to hear and engage with significant waymakers and innovators in the field is of crucial importance,”
Isaí Jess Muñoz, Chair of Voice, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
“The partnership, which we expect will continue to deepen, supports not only the students at the prestigious Boston Conservatory but also the rising young professional artists at BLO who represent the future of our industry.”
Bradley Vernatter, General Director & CEO, Boston Lyric Opera
“… These are two institutions paving the way in the operatic world as radical innovators and changemakers, bringing new perspectives to the artform while intentionally connecting with wider audiences.”
Michael Shinn, Dean of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Images:
- Svens Skriveris, Boston Conservatory at Berklee_022: Karen Slack, Julia Janowski, Mezzo-Soprano (MM Opera ‘24)
- M 2022-12-09 Karen Slack MC – Photo by Svens Skriveris 0501: Fred C. VanNess, Tenor (BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist)
- Svens Skriveris, Boston Conservatory at Berklee_04: Karen Slack and Jamila Drecker-Waxman, Soprano (BCB PSC ‘23)