Hello {firstname},
Welcome back to AOC Opera Round-Up!
We have some exciting updates to share from AOC this month. We’re especially energized by the work and collaborations happening across the sector right now, and it’s inspiring to see so many organizations and artists continuing to connect, create, and move the field forward!
Happy reading!
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Monthly Newsletter
April 30, 2026
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In this month’s edition:
- AOC News
- People
- OPERA America
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Calendar of Opera
- Job Listings and Auditions
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AOC’s Diffusion Sparks New Opportunities at Contact East
Joel Klein, project manager for Diffusion, AOC’s national initiative connecting equity-deserving opera creators with Canada’s multidisciplinary presenter networks, was at Contact East (Atlantic Canada’s biennial performing arts booking conference) in Saint John this April to plant seeds: introduce presenters to what equity-deserving opera artists are making, and start building the relationships that lead to bookings down the road.
What he didn’t expect was how fast things would move. Presenters weren’t just politely curious, they were ready to act, and several did. Two new Atlantic dates were confirmed for Take This Waltz (Idan Cohen) within days of the conference, Inuit Connections (Deantha Edmunds) has fresh interest from multiple presenters now in active follow-up, and a major Halifax festival is exploring a role in the next Bijuriya (Gabriel Dharmoo) premiere. It turns out there’s a lot of appetite out there right now.
We’d like to shine a spotlight on artists participating in this year’s Diffusion program, sharing reflections on how the initiative has supported their work!
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Following AOC’s recent participation in the Team Canada trade mission meetings in Mexico, Professional Company Members (PCMs), AOC staff, and delegates from Mexican cultural organizations came together this month for a Canada–Mexico Meet & Greet Session, hosted by Joel Klein, AOC’s International Market Consultant.
The virtual session brought together leaders from Canadian opera organizations alongside representatives from Mexican festivals, venues, and cultural institutions who have expressed strong interest in collaboration with companies across Canada. Designed as a focused exchange, the session created space to explore touring opportunities, co-productions, and future artistic partnerships. Among those in attendance was Paulina Ricciardi, Executive Director of Ópera Latinoamérica, marking a first step toward formalizing a partnership between AOC and Ópera Latinoamérica.
We look forward to seeing the collaborations that emerge from these connections!
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AOC is pleased to share recent highlights and accomplishments from across the Canadian opera community!
- Artists of the Opera Missing (ATOM), a collective of Indigenous and settler artists, was nominated for the 2026 Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) for their recording of Missing, a powerful chamber opera honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
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Marc Chalifoux (Against the Grain Theatre) and Robert G. Milne (Pacific Opera Victoria), recipients of the 2025 AOC Best in Governance Award, were honoured guests at the OPERA America Salutes Gala on March 20, 2026, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
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Opera Conference 2026
OPERA America and OperaDelaware will welcome the opera community to Wilmington from May 12–15, 2026 for Opera Conference 2026.
Day passes are now available, starting at $195.
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We Are Here: Indigenous opera professionals discuss opera in America
Opera America Magazine spoke with a range of Indigenous opera professionals about their work, as well as the history and future of Indigenous opera in North America.
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Douglas McLennan: Taking opera back from big tech
Can AI help opera companies reconnect with their communities?
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Understanding Conflict: An Introduction
Career Sustainability Workshop with Ground Floor
May 12, 2026 | 1–2:30 PM ET | 10–11:30 AM PT | Zoom
The AFC and Ground Floor presents Understanding Conflict: and Introduction. Have you ever navigated tension with a colleague or collaborator and wished you had the tools to respond more effectively?
In this FREE 90-minute introductory session, instructors from Ground Floor will explore the patterns that cause conflict to escalate, offering practical insights into why tension arises and how to move projects and collaborations back toward alignment.
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To check out the new job listings on our website, or add a job listing click here
To check most recent calls for auditions click here
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