Alejandra Valarino Boyer Appointed Seattle Opera's Director Of Programs & Partnerships

By: Feb. 27, 2019
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Alejandra Valarino Boyer is now Seattle Opera's Director of Programs and Partnerships-the department which plays a crucial role in bringing opera to more than 400,000 people through engagement and learning programs. Valarino Boyer is focused on expanding civic impact, building future audiences, and enriching the audience experience.

After appointing Valarino Boyer to her role in September 2018, General Director Aidan Lang said:

"Seattle Opera's goal is to connect with and enrich the lives of the diverse peoples of Puget Sound. Thus, Valarino Boyer's vision, impressive track record with community arts programs, and leadership through a racial equity lens are critical to our success."

Previously, as the Director of Community Programs at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Valarino Boyer oversaw Lyric Unlimited's community engagement initiatives, including creative youth development programs and artistic productions. Valarino Boyer worked closely with community organizations to grow Lyric's presence outside of the Lyric Opera House. She developed Lyric's Caminos a la ópera initiative, which engaged Chicago's Latinx communities through collaborative and culturally relevant events and programs.

She also created Chicago Voices Community Created Performances. Working with local organizations, Valarino Boyer enabled new, original musical works depicting untold stories of Chicagoans. Based on that framework, she partnered with the Chicago Urban League to envision EmpowerYouth!, an after-school program where African-American high school students worked with professional artists to produce an original work, Empower. She also played an integral role in the development of Lyric Unlimited's productions, including several new operas: El Pasado Nunca Se Termina (Foglia/Vargas), Second Nature (Aucoin), and Jason and the Argonauts (Spears/Wallat).

Prior to her work in community engagement, Valarino Boyer was a member of Lyric Opera of Chicago's Development team, where she helped to facilitate many of Lyric's key fundraising events including the Lyric Wine Auction. She also practiced as a private voice teacher for youth and adults in Chicago and Orlando. Valarino Boyer is an alumna of Opera America's Leadership Intensive (2017) and Opera Europa's Opera Management Course (2015). She holds degrees in music from Florida State University and Northwestern University.

"I am thrilled to be joining Seattle Opera during an exciting new phrase for the company," Valarino Boyer said. "I look forward to engaging with communities in the Pacific Northwest, and to creating vast opportunities in the arts for people at McCaw Hall, at our new civic home on the Seattle Center campus, and throughout Washington State."

About Seattle Opera

Established in 1963, Seattle Opera is committed to serving the people of the Pacific Northwest with performances of the highest caliber and through innovative educational and engagement programs for all. Each year, more than 85,000 people attend Seattle Opera performances, and more than 400,000 people of all ages are served through school performances, radio broadcasts, and more. By drawing our communities together, and by offering opera's unique fusion of music and drama, we create life-enhancing experiences that speak deeply to people's hearts and minds. Connect with Seattle Opera on Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, and on Classical King FM. 98.1.



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