Recent Press Releases
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Arizona Opera announces David Speers as General DirectorApril 3, 1998
Rudy Hernandez, President of the Board of Trustees of Arizona Opera, announced today that David Speers has been selected as the new General Director for the Opera. Mr. Speers comes to Arizona from Calgary Opera where he has served as General Director since 1988. Mr. Speers was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees of Arizona Opera after an extensive search that included over 100 outstanding artistic leaders from around the United Sam and Canada. Commenting for the Board, Mr. Hernandez said, "The Board of Directors feels that Mr Speers has the right combination of administrative and artistic skills to lead Ariwna Opera into the 21st century." During his eleven year tenure with Calgary Opera, the company has averaged 80% of capacity in attendance, and seen average age of its audience drop by 15 years. Mr. Speers has guided the development of professional fund-raising campaigns and processes within the company, leading to 190% increase in fund-raising over 9 seasons. During the 25th Anniversary Season (1996-97), he led the company to an artistically-acclaimed season and achieved a major operating surplus - allowing Calgary Opera to qualify for application into the "Alberta Performing Arts Stabilization Fund" and a potential entitlement of $500,000. With educational development, Mr Speers' successes include the cultivation of numerous educational programs including School and Adult Education, Teacher In-Service, Adult Continuing Education programs with the local University and Public School Boards among others. A formally trained conductor from Julliard, Mr. Speers relinquished his conducting career in 1992 to focus on the duties and responsibilities of General Director. Since 1995, he has served on to Board of Opera America, the national organization of the United States and Canada, with posts on the Membership, Nominating, Professional Development and Information Services Committees. He has also been the chairman of the Professional Opera Companies of Canada since 1993. Mr. Speers holds a B.A. and M.A. of Music from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Julliard School of Music, post Graduate Conducting Studies. Mr. Speers, commenting on his appointment, said, "My family and I are truly excited at the prospect of becoming a part of such an energetic and dynamic community. I look forward to working with the board, staff and the large community of arts organizations and supporters to achieve the goals and objectives of Arizona Opera's future. Arizona Opera is poised to become one of the leading regional opera companies in the country. The groundwork has been laid, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help lead this organization into the next century." Mr. Hernandez said, "David will be an excellent General Director for Arizona Opera. He has many years of experience and knows both the artistic and business side of Opera. David's lifestyle in Calgary should fit very well with our western family customs. I believe that David will be one of the best General Directors in the country."
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![[David Speers]](speers.jpg)
