Todd Porter appointed Chief of Staff for Opera America
Todd Porter (BA '05) has been appointed Chief of Staff for Opera America, the major leadership and service organization that promotes the creation, presentation, and enjoyment of opera for all major and minor opera companies in the United States.
"I am thrilled to accept this role," said Porter. "This is an organization devoted to serving the opera community through professional and artistic development, grant making, public policy, and advocating for the ongoing creation, presentation, and enjoyment of this beautiful art form.
In his new role, Porter will work with a team of individuals that are committed to ensuring that opera companies across the country thrive as they produce classic repertoire and develop new works that tell modern stories, as well as advocating that operas increase accessibility and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into their foundations.
"I think it is truly thrilling that this organization is devoted to mentorship, racial justice, gender parity, and accessibility as we look to cultivate new audiences to cherish opera for generations to come," continued Porter. "Opera is truly a unique and beautiful way to present art, consisting of theatrical narrative, intriguing and complex music, as well as production design that tells individual stories that contain universal themes. I am excited to be on a journey to support the brilliant artists, technicians, and administrators that work diligently to bring opera to audiences across the country."
As an arts administrator, advocate, and educator, Todd Michael Porter has constantly sought to improve the lives of young artists for over a decade. A Denver native, Porter attended the University of Denver where he studied cello with Richard Slavich and was active as a musician, teacher, and leader across the university. It was there that he developed his love for chamber music, opera, and music history. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a minor in Sociology before attending Ball State University where he received a Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education and a Graduate Certificate in Institutional Research. Committed to improving the lives of students, Porter served as an administrator at universities throughout the east coast in roles that included the Assistant Dean of Students at the Juilliard School and General Manager for Performing Arts at Georgetown University. Porter went on to complete a second Master’s degree in Arts Administration at Baruch College—City University of New York, where he was awarded the Marlow Prize for Arts Leadership.
In addition to his administrative roles, Todd has performed as a cellist in the Green Mountain Mahler Festival, Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, Doctors Samaritan Orchestra, Litha Orchestra, and Queer Urban Orchestra, for which he also served as General Manager. He is a member of Americans for the Arts and Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
