Opera MODO Announces a New Directory for Trans, Non-binary, and Gender Diverse Opera and Classical Voice Professionals

PRESS RELEASE     FOR RELEASE:

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

**Opera MODO Announces a New Directory for Trans, Non-binary, and Gender Diverse Opera and Classical Voice Professionals**

Directory will bring much-needed visibility to singers and other professionals who work in opera and music-theatre, allowing them to express their unique professional goals and needs 

Opera MODO, a Detroit, MI-based OPERA America member company, is the first sponsor of a new publicly accessible online directory of trans, non-binary, and gender diverse opera and classical voice professionals. This directory was developed by Katherine Goforth (True Voice Award winner), Danielle Wright (Opera MODO), Bryce McClendon (Beyond Travesti podcast), and Dorian Block (OPERA America & Sphinx Leader), all trans and non-binary opera and classical music professionals from a variety of disciplines. 

The purpose of this directory is to:

• Provide opera companies, symphony orchestras, and other arts organizations with a direct list of qualified individuals to consider for roles and positions,
• Serve as a network for other artists through a clear list of individuals available to connect with for collaboration opportunities,
• Increase visibility and place-making for the trans community, which is under-represented and historically excluded from the opera and classical music fields, and
• Allow individuals to self-define work they are interested in, how they want to promote themselves and identify aligned professional pursuits.

Interested participants are encouraged to fill out a Google intake form on the Opera MODO website (https://www.operamodo.com/tnbgddirectory) where they can respond to questions regarding their professional experience, their professional interests, and upload supporting information. After answers are submitted, individuals will be contacted with questions or to confirm their information is updated in the directory. 

**It is important to emphasize that participants should only include information in responses that they are willing to share publicly to be included in a publicly accessible online professional directory.**

In a joint statement, Goforth, Wright, McClendon and Block write: 

“Historically, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people haven’t been invited to participate in classical music. Our goal is to change that. We knew that we would personally benefit from a searchable, publicly available directory and believe such a resource will facilitate connections between trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse opera and classical voice professionals and organizations. In the future, we hope that there will be a network of arts organizations supporting and using this resource. Each question is phrased with intentionality, asking for responses in the ways we would want to be asked. The directory will be built by and for our community in the ways we choose to engage and contribute. We hope it will help us envision and realize the artistic work that we need to do.” 

About Opera MODO

Opera MODO is a new and exciting opera company in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated to creating opportunities for young and emerging artists. Founded in 2011 in Princeton, New Jersey, Opera MODO brings opera to the people through intriguing and modern productions of classical to contemporary operas.

For inquiries about the directory, please contact admin@operamodo.com 

Interviews with the developers are available upon request, please contact them directly at: 

Katherine Goforth, katherinejensengoforth@gmail.com, 503-914-7449;

Danielle Wright, danielle@operamodo.com, 313-451-0806;

Bryce McClendon, bryce.mcclendon93@gmail.com, 864-918-0638; or,

Dorian Block, dorianblockprofessional@outlook.com, 587-988-4625.