The Fort Worth Opera has appointed Afton Battle as the new General Director.

Battle graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Voice Performance, before attending Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She has also received a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy.

After a career performing, she did consulting work with such companies as Red Clay Dance Company, the National Black Theatre, the African American Policy Reform, Red Olive Consulting. She also worked as Director of Development for the New York Theatre Workshop, Director of the Annual Campaign for the Joffrey Ballet, and the Corporate and Foundation Relations and Individual Giving Manager for the National Museum of Mexican Art.

She also served as the Program and Grants Manager for Bank Street College of Education in New York.

“Fort Worth Opera is in an incredibly unique position — one of rebirth, evolution, and change,” said Afton Battle in an official press release. “I have been chosen to steer this amazing company, and together we will focus on expanding our reach and engagement into communities that have been historically marginalized (Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, LGBTQIA) by forging relationships with community leaders and stakeholders. Through innovative programming and rich partnerships, we will commune a vibrant network of engaged young professionals, build back the trust and support of the community who hold us up, and gradually move away from the festival season back to a year-round format.

“The work ahead of us will undoubtedly be difficult, but I am confident in the abilities of this incredible staff and Board to inspire this great city. We will become the People’s Opera Company,” concluded Battle.