Founded in 2013 by Alexandra Babbel and a group of local arts leaders, Opera Kelowna is a registered, non-profit, charitable status society and member of the Association for Opera in Canada. In 2020, company leadership changed and the company is now led by Rosemary Thomson, Artistic Director, and Brianna Wells, Managing Director, with support from an active and supportive Board of Directors. Opera Kelowna is a proud member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
Our Mission:
Bringing the power and passion of opera to our Okanagan community.
Our Vision:
A vibrant, innovative opera company that celebrates artistic imagination, reflects relevance for our time, and connects with our community.
Our Values:
- Accessibility: we create opportunities for everyone to engage in opera.
- Inclusivity: we are committed to inclusion and antiracism.
- Imagination: we work passionately to develop unique operatic experiences that inspire and embrace the human spirit.
- Collaboration: we are committed to strengthening our community and our art form through reciprocal relationships.
- Integrity: we do what we say, we are accountable to our partners, performers, and audiences.
- Education: we build appreciation for opera and capacity of our artists.
- Sustainability: we are focused on building our organizational capacity and resilience for the long term.