LEIGH HOLMAN NAMED DIRECTOR OF CU OPERA

Leigh Holman, Stage Director and Director of the Opera Colorado Ensemble Artists, has been appointed Director of CU Opera at the University of Colorado at Boulder beginning in August 2009. Holman will leave her position at Opera Colorado in June of 2009."We are delighted that Dr. Leigh Holman has accepted our invitation to join the College of Music faculty to serve as Director of CU Opera," said Daniel Sher, Dean of the CU-Boulder College of Music. "Leigh brings a world of energy, creative ideas and talent to this important position, and we look forward to welcoming her to campus this fall.""During Leigh's three years as Director of Education and Community Programs at Opera Colorado we have experienced unprecedented growth in the quality and quantity of our offerings to school children and adults," said Greg Carpenter, General Director of Opera Colorado. "Through Leigh's talented leadership we have grown from serving 25,000 youth and adults annually to nearly 50,000. Her work in building our Young Artist Ensemble has resulted in the hiring of highly talented young singers who are going on to enjoy successful careers. Her nurturing spirit, musical knowledge and artistic talent will be an outstanding addition to the University of Colorado College of Music, and she will be greatly missed by everyone at Opera Colorado."The Director of CU Opera is responsible for directing three productions per calendar year, selecting operas in cooperation with the voice faculty and Opera Music Director, teaching and leading an undergraduate and graduate opera theater training program, serving on graduate committees, and actively participating in student advising and other College and University service activities. The Director's responsibilities also include oversight and coordination of all aspects of production with the assistant program director, Opera Music Director, and other opera personnel.Leigh Holman will serve as stage director for CU Opera's productions of La Traviata (October 23-25, 2009) and Don Giovanni (March 12-14, 2010). For more information or tickets for these productions, visit www.cupresents.org/opera.html or call 303-492-8008.