Leadership
Artistic leadership.
Katrina Thurman is a dynamic arts administrator, producer, and performer with over 24 years’ experience in the opera industry. Originally trained as an operatic soprano, Katrina’s passion for supporting the opera community led her to take on artistic administration alongside her performing career. She spent a decade at ADA Artist Management, where she began as Marketing and PR Manager and advanced to Director of Marketing and Community Engagement. In 2023, Katrina played a pivotal role in ADA’s merger with UIA Talent Agency, leading key projects during the transition as Director of Communications with UIA.
In 2019, Katrina founded East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP), a Philadelphia-based organization dedicated to increasing community engagement and access to opera, musical theater, and art song, and currently serves as its General and Artistic Director. In recognition of her dedication to both the arts and social impact, she was nominated to run for Woman of the Year with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2021, raising over $90,000 in just 10 weeks and earning the Mission Integration Award. In 2023, Katrina joined Opera Omaha as Director of Artistic Administration, where she leads the Artistic department.
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Katrina has earned widespread recognition for her performances of both traditional and contemporary operatic repertoire throughout the United States and beyond. Her deep knowledge of both traditional and contemporary opera, combined with her extensive network of composers and performers, has solidified her reputation as a passionate advocate for the art form.
In her community.
Even beyond the musical landscape, Katrina is a passionate and involved member of her community. She was named the Mission Award Winner and Runner-Up for Woman of the Year of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising over $90,000 for the LLS, both through private fundraising and through a partnership with the East Passyunk Opera Project, of which she is the Founder and General & Artistic Director.
Katrina's affiliations.
Beyond Katrina's current work with Opera Omaha and ePOP, she is regularly seen in collaboration with arts organizations throughout the country. A passionate mentor and educator, she is also a frequent masterclass clinician and panel guest for organizations supporting the next generation of opera performers and administrators.
