Racial Justice Opera Network
OPERA America’s Racial Justice Opera Network is an action group of opera professionals from all sectors of the field who are committed to enriching our art form and industry by seeking racial equity.
The Racial Justice Opera Network is a coalition of BIPOC and white antiracist members working to dismantle racism in opera by actively changing policies and practices that perpetuate the oppression of Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color.
It aims to:
- Encourage collaboration, resource-sharing, and opportunities to support a more racially equitable field.
- Affirm the voices of those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and/or people of color in the opera field through networking and relationship-building.
- Create spaces for dialogue, learning, collective action, and support for people of color.
The Racial Justice Opera Network was formerly known as the ALAANA Opera Network.
Get Involved
Participation in the Racial Justice Opera Network is open to anyone affiliated with the opera industry and supportive of the Network’s goals. You can get involved by requesting to join the Facebook group.
Join Facebook Group
For additional information, contact us at Membership@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5248.
Upcoming Events
The Racial Justice Opera Network convenes at the annual Opera Conference and International Racial Justice Opera Forum. The network promotes dialogue and collaboration throughout the year through conference calls and an active private Facebook group.
Racial Justice Opera Forum 2024
Online | March 5–7, 2024
Join us for the third annual Racial Justice Opera Forum, March 5–7, 2024. Opera professionals will gather to discuss the current racial justice work in opera and collaborate to develop policies and practices that will create a more racially just opera field.
OPERA America on Racial Justice
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OPERA America Programs
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Racial Justice Opera Network Steering Committee
Quodesia Johnson
Social Justice Advisor, OPERA America; Consultant; Founder and Space Moderator, Black Administrators of Opera
Theresa Ruth Howard
Artist, Writer, and Consultant
Jessica Jahn
Costumer Designer
Anh Le
Director of Marketing and PR, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Chevalier Lovett
Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Organize Florida; Board Member, Opera Orlando
Kristian Roberts
Director of Education, The Dallas Opera
Tracy L. Wilson
Director of Community Relations, Cincinnati Opera
Past Steering Committee Members
Alejandra Valarino Boyer
Director, Ravinia Steans Music Institute
Randall Eng
Composer, NYU Faculty
Brandon Gryde
Former Staff Liaison, OPERA America; Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works and Artist Communities Director, Office of Strategy, Programs, & Engagement, National Endowment for the Arts
Briana Elyse Hunter
Mezzo-Soprano
David Lomelí
Chief Artistic Officer, Santa Fe Opera
Brandon Neal
Associate Producer, Office of the President, The Juilliard School
Kristal Pacific
Former Staff Liaison, OPERA America; Program Officer, Howard Gilman Foundation
Parisa Zaeri
Conductor, Coach, and Collaborative Pianist