Virginia Opera Employee Directory
Performing ArtsVirginia, United States51-200 Employees
Virginia Opera, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is a mid-sized performing arts company that produces opera and cultivates emerging vocal talent. The organization prioritizes musical and dramatic integrity in its productions and supports education and outreach initiatives to engage communities. It operates with a working budget around $5.4 million, presenting about 32 mainstage performances across three markets and drawing nearly 50,000 attendees. In 1994, the Virginia General Assembly named it the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition of its contributions to the state’s cultural life. It serves opera audiences in three markets and aims to make its performances and educational programs accessible to the broader public. Within the performing arts sector, it is positioned as a regional company that identifies and presents talented young artists and maintains high artistic standards throughout its productions. A recent development is the appointment of John-Paul Schaefer as Interim General Director & CEO, effective January 1, 2025, as announced in December 2024.