(Columbus) – The Board of Trustees of Opera Columbus is pleased to announce the appointment of Julia Noulin-Mérat to General Director + CEO effective Jan. 25. Noulin-Mérat comes to Opera Columbus with nearly 20 years of experience in the opera and performing arts industries.
Noulin-Mérat’s career expertise includes that of producer, designer and arts administrator for the Boston Lyric Opera and Guerilla Opera, also in Boston, as an audience experience consultant to many companies as well as a frequent collaborator to Atlanta Opera and Opera Omaha. In Asia, she also served as production designer and producer for More Than Musical, Broadway Asia and China Broadway, and is an active mentor for OPERA America.
“The search committee of Allison Steiner, Jessica Burton, Johanna DeStefano and Brandon Kim, and the entire Opera Columbus board, could not have been more impressed by Julia’s wealth of artistic and management experience,” said Bill Miller, Opera Columbus board president. “She has dedicated her entire career to performing arts with an emphasis on opera. Along with her expertise in the area of audience experience, we are confident that she will help further Opera Columbus’ mission, ‘Make It Yours’, to engage our subscribers and bring new patrons to our productions.”
Opera Columbus’ contemporary approach to the opera genre — including developing new talent and using the art form to address timely issues such as inequality and race matters — appealed to Noulin-Mérat.
“Through the years, I have always been committed to producing operas that tell stories of communities that have been historically silenced, unvoiced and ignored,” said Noulin-Mérat. “I am looking forward to presenting narratives that spark our imagination and build cultural equity in the operatic canon.”
Marc Scorca, President and CEO of OPERA America, the organization promoting the creation, presentation, and enjoyment of opera in the United States, has worked with Noulin-Mérat through her mentee role in OPERA America’s Women Opera Network Mentorship and participation in its Leadership Intensive Program.
“I am delighted by this appointment for both Julia and Opera Columbus,” said Scorca. “Julia has a tremendous skillset and is the embodiment of today’s arts entrepreneur. She joins a company with a strong board that has forged an innovative and successful path for opera in today’s challenging environment.” Noulin-Mérat replaces Peggy Kriha Dye who left the position in October.
###
About Opera Columbus Opera Columbus is redefining the concept of regional opera with world-class productions that celebrate extraordinary talent and artistic partnerships, engaging a new, diverse audience for this most magnificent of artforms. From groundbreaking collaborations to innovative and breathtaking productions, Opera Columbus is passionate about creating artistic moments for each and every patron. Opera Columbus’ slogan, “Make It Yours,” demonstrates the company’s commitment to inclusivity, and invites everyone in the community to join with us. For more information, visit www.OperaColumbus.org, Facebook: www.facebook.com/OperaColumbus, Instagram: Opera.Columbus or Twitter: @OperaColumbus.
Support for Opera Columbus’ 2020-2021 season is provided by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Ohio Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide, Cardinal Health, and Voice Center, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.