Description
Position Summary
Opera Montana seeks its first Education Director, a visionary leader and educator who will shape and grow our educational programs. The Education Director will develop a year-round youth opera program, expand and strengthen Wheels of Harmony—the nation’s first-ever Indigenous opera education tour—and oversee local school and community partnerships. This is a unique opportunity to build a program from the ground up while making opera accessible to young people, rural communities, and Tribal nations across Montana.
About Opera Montana
Opera Montana creates and inspires community through world class opera, musical theatre, and educational engagement. Currently in our 49th season, we are proud to be the state’s oldest opera company. We are committed to creating transformative musical experiences for our community, expanding access to opera across Montana, and ensuring that new generations discover a lifelong love for the art form. Our initiatives include the Wheels of Harmony school tour, featuring Indigenous music and culture, mainstage productions of opera and musical theatre, including the world premiere of A River Runs Through It, our Opera for All free ticket program, an ongoing Veterans Chorus, and the upcoming launch of a Youth Opera program.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Youth Opera Program
- In collaboration with OM staff and Youth Chorus Director, launch and direct a year-round youth opera program with regular rehearsals, performances, and a culminating summer production.
- Plan and oversee fully staged youth operas each summer, including collaboration with designers, directors, and professional artists.
- Provide meaningful musical and theatrical education to students while fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
- Wheels of Harmony Tour
- Expand and coordinate Wheels of Harmony, ensuring thoughtful and culturally sensitive outreach to rural and Tribal schools across Montana.
- Work alongside contracted cultural consultants to deepen relationships with Indigenous communities.
- Oversee scheduling, communication, and logistics for tour activities.
- Community and School Engagement
- Strengthen and expand Opera Montana’s partnerships with local schools, teachers, and community groups.
- Design educational curriculum and activities that illuminate and increase accessibility for our mainstage productions
- Coordinate classroom visits, artist residencies, and special workshops.
- Organizational Support
- Assist with box office and front of house duties during production times.
- Be able to sell subscription and individual tickets when needed
- Assist with front of house duties during production times
- Engage and serve as a positive ambassador for Opera Montana with patrons, parents, donors, board members, colleagues, and all Opera Montana constituents
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Background in music education, theatre education, arts administration, or related field.
- Experience working with young people in educational or artistic settings.
- Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple programs simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills, EQ, and ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities.
- Knowledge of opera and/or musical theatre strongly preferred.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in arts education.
Position Details
- Full-time, year-round position based in Bozeman, MT.
- Simple IRA retirement match
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Evening and weekend work required during productions, rehearsals, and tours
- Statewide travel on occasion for Wheels of Harmony and community partnerships.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter replying to the qualifications, a resume, and three professional references to General Director Susan Miller at susan@operamontana.org with the subject line: “Education Director Application – [Your Name]”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
