Leadership Launch
Leadership Launch is OPERA America's online course about the fundamentals of opera administration.
The program offers early-career administrators an opportunity to gain an introductory understanding of the opera field. Through ten 90-minute sessions, participants will learn from experts and engage in discussion of how opera companies operate.
About Leadership Launch
Leadership Launch is OPERA America's online course about the fundamentals of opera administration. Individuals who identify as being at an appropriate career stage to participate may register for the course, availability permitting.
The program is designed to offer early-career administrators an opportunity to gain an introductory understanding of the opera field. Through ten 90-minute sessions, participants will learn from experts and engage in discussion of how opera companies operate.
Eligibility: Leadership Launch is open to all individuals (members and non-members) who currently work in or wish to advance their professional careers in the opera field. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants.
There is a registration fee of $145 for members or $220 for non-members (including a one-year individual digital OPERA America membership).
Schedule
All sessions will take place from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. E.T. Session recordings are available to participants afterward.
| September 9, 2025 | Session 1: Overview & Introductory Framework |
| September 11, 2025 | Session 2: Introduction to Individual Giving |
| September 16, 2025 | Session 3: Marketing for Beginners |
| September 18, 2025 | Session 4: Introduction to Opera Finance |
| September 25, 2025 | Session 5: Opera Production Primer |
| September 30, 2025 | Session 6: Governance: Working with Boards |
| October 7, 2025 | Session 7: Civic Practice: Strengthening Communities |
| October 9, 2025 | Session 8: New Works Development: Creating a New Repertoire Landscape |
| October 14, 2025 | Session 9: Focus on the Future: Season Planning |
| October 16, 2025 | Session 10: Cultivating Leadership |
Program participants will be invited to attend an optional in-person meetup at Opera Conference 2026 in Wilmington, DE, May 12-15, 2026. Conference registration is not included in the program fee. For more information, visit Opera Conference.
How to Register
Registration opens on July 29, 2025, and closes on September 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Register early to secure your spot. Registration is limited and on a first-come basis. A waitlist will be created when registration is full, and applicants may apply to that waitlist through September 4.
There is a registration fee of $145 for members or $220 for non-members (including a one-year individual digital OPERA America membership).
Program Guidelines
The rubric below should be used by individuals interested in participating in the Leadership Launch to determine whether they are at an appropriate stage of their careers to participate.
- Participation Rubric (PDF)
Applicants who are in a more advanced stage of their leadership development may want to consider the Mentorship Program for Opera Leaders of Color, the Mentorship Program for Women Administrators, or Leadership Intensive. Dates for 2025-2026 leadership programming will be announced in Fall 2025.
For questions, contact Vincent Rutter-Covatto, director of learning and leadership, at VRutterCovatto@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5237.