Heartbeat Opera has announced that as of July 1, 2021, bass-baritone Derrell Acon will be the company’s first Associate Artistic Director.

Acon previously performed with the company in “Fidelio,” “Der Freischutz,” and “Breathing Free” and will serve as a Creative Producer with the company on its 2021 “Quando il Glück monta i Verdi,” a short opera film with live excerpts from operas by Gluck and Verdi.

“I am delighted and honored to join Heartbeat as Associate Artistic Director and Creative Producer. I am impressed by the company’s ability to consistently produce high-quality and meaningful theater, while maintaining a firm commitment to its artists and their values,” Acon said in a press release. “My greatest hope is that my new roles here and at Long Beach Opera as Associate Artistic Director and Impact Director will help drive far-reaching change across the entire art and management landscape of the opera industry.”

The company also announced the Louisa Proske will be transferring to Germany as the Associate Artistic Director of Opera Halle and will now be Co-founder and Resident Director of Heartbeat Opera. Meanwhile, Ethan Heard will be the sole Artistic Director of the company.