Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fairfax, VA (June 30, 2025) – Virginia Opera is pleased to announce the appointment of John-Paul Schaefer as its new General Director and CEO, effective July 1, 2025. The appointment was approved by the company’s Executive Committee following his six-month service as Interim General Director.
“John-Paul has demonstrated steady, capable leadership during a critical time for Virginia Opera,” said Mike Lott, Chair of the Statewide Board of Directors. “He guided the company through the successful completion of our 50th Anniversary Season, reengaged donors and civic partners, stabilized operations, and brought a thoughtful and disciplined approach to the role.”
During the 2024–2025 season, Mr. Schaefer managed the company through the premiere of Loving v. Virginia, a groundbreaking new work co-commissioned with the Richmond Symphony that had been five years in development. The production received national attention and underscored Virginia Opera’s commitment to artistic excellence, innovative storytelling, and civic engagement. Its success was the result of teamwork across the organization, reflecting the dedication of leadership, staff, artists, boards, guild, patrons, and community collaborators.
Mr. Schaefer enters the role with a strong partnership already in place with Adam Turner, Virginia Opera’s Artistic Director and Chief Conductor. Together, they will guide the company’s artistic and operational direction, blending bold artistic vision with organizational focus to sustain Virginia Opera’s statewide impact.
Schaefer has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit arts leadership, including key roles at the Aspen Art Museum, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and Virginia Opera, where he previously served as Managing Director. His expertise spans financial strategy, marketing, and fundraising, and he has built deep relationships across Virginia’s arts community.
“I am honored to be entrusted with this role at such an important moment for Virginia Opera,” said Schaefer. “Our mission is more vital than ever—to bring bold, relevant, and artistically excellent opera to communities across the Commonwealth. I look forward to working with our boards, staff, and partners to strengthen our foundation and deepen our community engagement.”
Mr. Schaefer’s vision emphasizes long-term sustainability, growth in fundraising and education, artistic excellence and positioning Virginia Opera as a resilient and innovative cultural leader across Virginia.
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About Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation and is the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Organized in 1974, Virginia Opera is 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.
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