Austin Opera Names Interim General Director

 

The Austin Opera announced today the appointment of Jane Weaver-Sobel as Interim General Director, a position she will hold while the company conducts a nationwide search to fill the General Director position left vacant in June with the departure of Joseph Specter.

“Jane brings invaluable experience to the Austin Opera and will help the company build upon the great momentum established under Joseph Specter’s thoughtful leadership.  Jane is a tremendous talent, understanding the nuances of non-profit management and fundraising and bringing a modern approach to the future of opera.  We are thrilled to have Jane lead us into our 30th Season,” said Elisabeth Juen Waltz, Chairman of the Board, Austin Opera.

Weaver-Sobel is relocating to Austin from Charlotte, N.C., where she ran Weaver & Weaver, a consulting firm specializing in non-profit management, fundraising and board development.  Her interim position with the Austin Opera is a homecoming for Weaver-Sobel, who previously held positions as General Director of Texas Opera Theater and Production Manager of Houston Grand Opera.  She then moved to Charlotte, where she held positions as President of the Community School of the Arts.  Originally from Iowa, she began her career in the arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

“‘I am delighted be a part of this wonderful opera company on the eve of what will be a very exciting 30th Season, and to return to Texas where the ‘can do’ attitude has always prevailed,” said Weaver-Sobel, Interim General Director, Austin Opera.  She continued, “I have known Austin Opera Artistic Director Richard Buckley for many years and look forward to supporting his artistic vision and increasing awareness of the great jewel Austin has in this adventurous company!”

Austin Opera has retained cultural management consulting firm Genovese Vanderhoof & Associates to assist the Board-appointed Search Committee in their quest for a permanent General Director.