People

Artistic and Creative Director

Christopher Allen

Recipient of The Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, Christopher Allen is featured in Opera News as “one of the fastest-rising podium stars in North America.” He has led acclaimed performances with the Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Opéra de Montréal, English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Symphony, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Wolf Trap Opera (National Symphony Orchestra), Detroit Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Atlanta Opera, OSESP, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Daegu Opera House in South Korea and China National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Recognized as a Musical America Artist of the Month and one of their “25 Stars Still Rising,” Allen is also an International Opera Awards nominee. He recently received the Young Alumni Award from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Allen was fostered by Plácido Domingo and James Conlon, who brought him to Los Angeles Opera as Associate Conductor.

Allen’s artistic pursuits extend beyond his role as conductor. He demonstrates his commitment to education through his work with young artists at Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique, Los Angeles Opera, Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Aspen Music Festival and School, New England Conservatory, and A.J. Fletcher Institute at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Allen has been heard on NPR speaking about the importance of the arts in American society. Most recently, as a pianist, he was heard on film in La Voix Humaine starring Patricia Racette, and in Emily, a production he created with Johnathan McCullough that premiered at Opéra de Montréal.

For more information, please visit: http://www.christophergallen.com/

Executive Director

Johnathan McCullough

GRAMMY® nominated baritone and director, Johnathan McCullough, recently premiered his production of David T. Little’s Soldier Songs produced by Opera Philadelphia which was nominated by the Recording Academy for Best of Recording, an International Opera Award nomination, and won the Artistic Creation Prize at the inaugural Opera America Awards for Digital Excellence. He recently made his Canadian directing debut this season with the Atelier lyrique of Opéra de Montréal with a program entitled “Emily” centered around works written by Emily Dickinson, which he co-created with conductor and pianist Christopher Allen. Other recent appearances include singing the baritone soloist in Britten’s “War Requiem” at Walt Disney Concert Hall and recital with pianist Carol Wongs as part of the Carnegie Hall Citywide Series.

He has sung leading roles at Opera Philadelphia, Komische Oper Berlin, English National Opera, Opéra de Lausanne, Portland Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and many more. Johnathan was selected by Renée Fleming to participate in the Weill Institute Song Studio at Carnegie Hall where he has also performed in concert. Upcoming singing engagements include appearances with Pittsburgh Opera as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Opera Philadelphia as Ophémon in The Anonymous Lover, and Lyric Opera Kansas City as Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette.

He holds a B.M., M.M., and Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music and has been engaged as a guest speaker with institutions across the US and Canada including Yale, Curtis, UCLA, Young ARTS, Opéra de Montreal, and Pacific Opera Victoria. He currently serves as the Opera Program Director for the National Children’s Chorus leading Vail Opera Camp. As a director, McCullough’s work has been noted by The New York Times as “a pacesetter for cinematic opera”.

For more information, please visit https://mcculloughbaritone.com/

Choreographer Movement Coach

Andrea Beasom

Hailed as “Visually Stimulating” by OperaWire, “Ethereal and Intimate” by Broadway World, and “Sexy” by the LA Times, Andrea Beasom's work has graced the stages of opera houses nationwide. Her direction and award winning choreography has been seen at the Washington National Opera, The Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Atlanta Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera San Antonio, The Glimmerglass Festival, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and Bard Summerscape. Andrea has collaborated closely with luminaries such as renowned opera director and artistic director of the Washington National Opera, Francesca Zambello, as well as other celebrated directors. She has worked alongside Tony & Olivier Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, Tony Award-winning director Warren Carlyle, American theater director Anne Bogart, and worked closely with A-list artists like Plácido Domingo, Reneé Fleming, Kelsey Grammer, Christine Ebersole, and many other remarkable talents. In addition to her work as a choreographer, Andrea Beasom has captivated audiences as both a professional singer and dancer. Throughout her multifaceted career, she has performed at the Royal Opera House of Muscat, The Kennedy Center, Hawaii Opera Theater, Off-Broadway at New York City Center, Los Angeles Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Glimmerglass Festival, and the Dallas Opera. She has also danced professionally with Alonzo King's Lines Ballet Studio, Pasadena Dance Theater, in numerous commercial industrials for Sony, Puma, Moncler, Microsoft and in the film The One That I Want. Andrea holds a B.M. in operatic vocal performance from Mannes School of Music.

For more information, please visit: www.andreabeasom.com