Nina Draganic, Administrator

“I wanted to show people, through the work and through those collaborations, that opera is more than the sum of its parts, that when you bring positive change into the ecosystem, the whole ecosystem benefits.” – Nina Draganic

Photo credit: Kaytlyn Devyani Photography

Opéra Magnolia, Change Maker

Originally founded as Musiques 3 Femmes and focused on fostering gender-diverse leadership in opera, “Opéra Magnolia aims to create bold work that illuminates unheard perspectives and has, since 2018, blossomed into a leading force for change in contemporary opera creation, exending its branches across the country.” – Jane Forner, musicologist

Photo credit: Opéra Magnolia

Guillermo Silva-Marin, General Director

“I am an optimist at heart and am always perplexed at the constant allusion to the ‘death of opera’ as an art form. …Contemporary opera composers have suprised many in the field with their excellent output. Opera is far from done!” – Guillermo Silva-Marin

Photo credit: Gary Beechey, BDS Studios

John Tessier, Tenor

“Because his discipline when preparing a role is so strong, he can be playful during rehearsals – he’s learned everything else so well already.” – Tracy Dahl, soprano and former Rubies recipient

Photo credit: Ann Baggley