Inspiration From Our Expert Speakers

2026 Speakers

Toria Banks
Toria Banks
HERA
Artistic Director & Producer
Emma Black
Emma Black
National Opera Studio
Head of Artistic Planning
Michael J. Bobbitt
Michael J. Bobbitt
Opera America
President/CEO
Jacqui Cameron
Jacqui Cameron
Opera North
Director of Learning & Engagement
Laura Canning
Laura Canning
Opera North
General Director and CEO
Michael Chance
Michael Chance
Leeds Song
Formerly Artistic Director The Grange Festival; Chair
Yamin Choudury
Yamin Choudury
National Theatre
Director of Learning
Melvin Claridge
Melvin Claridge
Pegasus Opera Company
Talent Director
James Clutton
James Clutton
Opera Holland Park
Director of Opera and Chief Executive
Debbie Coates
Debbie Coates
The Mozartists
Chief Executive
Sarah Crabtree
Sarah Crabtree
Welsh National Opera
Co-General Director and CEO
Aoife Daly
Aoife Daly
Irish National Opera
Director of Development
Richard Davidson-Houston
Richard Davidson-Houston
Glyndebourne
CEO
Thangam Debbonaire
Thangam Debbonaire
UK Opera Association
CEO
Guy Everington
Guy Everington
Wild Arts
Chair
Diego Fasciati
Diego Fasciati
Irish National Opera
Executive Director
Edilia Gänz
Edilia Gänz
Fedora-Circle
Director
Emily Gottlieb
Emily Gottlieb
Longborough Festival Opera
Executive Director
Charles Haddon-Cave
Charles Haddon-Cave
President of The Grange Festival and Trustee, Laidlaw Opera Trust
Bex Hand
Bex Hand
English Touring Opera
Head of Learning and Participation
Simon Haslam
Simon Haslam
Buxton International Festival
Chair
Joseph Hookway
Joseph Hookway
Scottish Opera
Emerging Artist Casting Officer
Tristram Hunt
Tristram Hunt
V&A
Director
Hannu Järvensivu
Hannu Järvensivu
Finnish National Opera & Ballet
Assisting head of the set workshop / Virtual Stage Project Manager
Marina Jones
Marina Jones
English National Opera
Executive Director of Development & Public Affairs
Sophie Joyce
Sophie Joyce
Paris Opera
Executive Producer
Emily Jundi
Emily Jundi
OperaUpClose
Development Manager
Peter Katona
Peter Katona
The Royal Opera
Director of Casting
Susanna Kempe
Susanna Kempe
Laidlaw Foundation
CEO
Eva Klein
Eva Klein
Journalist & Content Manager
Stephen Langridge
Stephen Langridge
Glyndebourne
Artistic Director
Henry Little
Henry Little
Opera Rara
Chief Executive
Rhiannon Llewellyn
Rhiannon Llewellyn
Shadwell Opera
Executive Producer
Ville Matvejeff
Ville Matvejeff
Savonlinna Opera Festival
CEO & Artistic Director
Jennie McCusker
Jennie McCusker
English National Opera
Executive Director: Creative Engagement
Colette McGahon
Colette McGahon
Opera Collective Ireland
Artistic Director/CEO
Catherine Mckinney
Catherine Mckinney
Park Theatre
Executive Director
Eric Melear
Eric Melear
National Opera Studio
Artistic Director
Simon Mellor
Simon Mellor
Arts Council
Deputy Chief Executive
Cameron Menzies
Cameron Menzies
Northern Ireland Opera
Chief Executive and Artistic Director
Jenny Mollica
Jenny Mollica
The Roundhouse
Chief Executive
Nathan Morrison
Nathan Morrison
Intermusica
Director / Head of Vocal & Opera
Sally Newton
Sally Newton
Laidlaw Schools Trust
CEO
Charlie Palmer
Charlie Palmer
Steadman
Consultant
Anna Patalong
Anna Patalong
British Youth Opera
Chief Executive
Mark Pemberton
Mark Pemberton
Mark Pemberton Arts
Arts Consultant
Lucy Perry
Lucy Perry
Glyndebourne
Head of Learning & Engagement
Alex Reedijk
Alex Reedijk
Scottish Opera
General Director
Ally Rosser
Ally Rosser
OperaUpClose
Executive Producer
Amanda Saunders
Amanda Saunders
Royal Ballet & Opera
Chief Development & Advocacy Officer
John Savournin
John Savournin
Waterperry Opera Festival
Artistic Director & CEO
Lea Shaw
Lea Shaw
Mezzo Soprano
Deborah Shaw
Deborah Shaw
Marlowe Theatre
Chief Executive
Emily Simpson
Emily Simpson
Opera North
Director of Audiences & Brand
Sue Spence
Sue Spence
Askonas Holt
Director
Tyler Stoops
Tyler Stoops
The Grange Festival
Chief Executive
Adele Thomas
Adele Thomas
Welsh National Opera
Co-General Director and CEO
Kate Valentine
Kate Valentine
Valentine Voice Care
Founder
Julien Van Mellaerts
Julien Van Mellaerts
Baritone and Trustee
Kate Varah
Kate Varah
National Theatre
Executive Director and Co-CEO

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