July 28, 2016 – Virginia Opera announced today the appointment of Anne-Carolyn Bird in the newly reorganized position of Executive/Artistic Coordinator; she will begin with the company on August 1.
An opera singer in her own right, Ms. Bird has sung on Virginia Opera stages, as recently as the Opera’s production of The Marriage of Figaro (2013), and will be singing with the company this season at the Opera in the Park performances on August 27 at Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre in Richmond and on September 10 at Town Point Park in Norfolk.
The new position of Executive/Artistic Coordinator was created with three primary areas of responsibility that include: to serve as artistic coordinator for the Artistic Department; to be a general assistant to the Boards of Virginia Opera; and, to serve as support for the President and CEO, Russell P. Allen, and the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Adam Turner. This position combines responsibilities from two other positions eliminated in departmental reorganization.
Russell Allen, President and CEO, commented, “Not only does Anne-Carolyn have the artistic experience and acumen to be a strong support in the Artistic Department, she has significant experience in administration and management. She will be the perfect addition to our Virginia Opera management team.” Ms. Bird’s strong background in opera will also enable her to successfully fulfill assignments on specific special projects with independent responsibilities.
In anticipation of beginning work with Virginia Opera, Ms. Bird notes: “I am thrilled to be taking such a big step toward a new career path, and even more so that it is happening with Virginia Opera. I loved my time working here as a performer, and I am looking forward to joining the “family” of the administrative team. I am hopeful that I can be a pivotal part of the continued growth of this vital and vibrant organization.”
Ms. Bird moves to Norfolk from Richmond, VA accompanied by her husband, baritone Matthew Burns – a native of Richmond, and two children. Mr. Burns has performed in two Virginia Opera productions over the past five years (The Marriage of Figaro (2013) and Orphée (2012), and returns in this season’s upcoming The Barber of Seville as well as with Ms. Bird in the previously mentioned Opera in the Park productions.
Adam Turner, Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, noted, “We’re excited to welcome Anne-Carolyn to the artistic team of Virginia Opera in this important new role. With her significant experience as a performing artist throughout the operatic industry, she offers Virginia Opera a wealth of knowledge and expertise, ensuring a commanding contribution to our organization. It is important to our artistic team to have her level of artistic expertise on a day-to-day basis.”
Ms. Bird will immediately be thrust into preparations for the December Emerging Artist Auditions held annually by Virginia Opera, and into reporting assignments generated for both the Finance Committee and Executive Committee of the Board. She also will be immediately involved in chorus coordination and activity, as well as numerous other responsibilities related to her three areas of concentration.
About Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera Association, Inc., performs at the Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, Virginia, the Dominion Arts Center Carpenter Theatre in Richmond, Virginia and The Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Now in its 42nd season, the company is known and respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs. Mainstage performances across the Commonwealth reach nearly 50,000 attendees annually. In March of 1994, by unanimous vote of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Opera was named The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition of the organization’s contribution to the state as well as to the world of opera. For more information, visit vaopera.org or call 866.673.7282.