Eric Ferring has announced that he will shift his career focus to artist advocacy, taking on the full-time role of Business Representative at the American Guild of Musical Artists starting March 1, 2024.

Ferring will work as part of AGMA’s senior staff on several efforts – among them, executing national initiatives, organizing new campaigns, and supporting contract negotiations with many of the opera houses where Ferring is recognized for his roles onstage. He will maintain his longtime team of managers at Fletcher Artist Management and Askonas Holt, who have carried their dedication in service to his performance career into steadfast support of his expanded work in artist advocacy.

In a statement, Ferring said, “This artist advocacy work is such an integral part of who I am. I’m thrilled to be joining AGMA, and in doing so, aligning my personal values with the work-life balance I’ve been craving. I’m honored to be joining the team to create the just and thriving industry of tomorrow.”

As a result of his new role at AGMA, Ferring will no longer maintain a full slate of roles across leading international opera houses. In a press statement, Ferring noted that his new lifestyle will bridge his artist advocacy work at AGMA with time spent at home with his husband and great dane, Huey.

He will also keep a schedule of shorter period operas, concerts, recitals, and recordings.

He added, “These are the questions that I have mulled over these past few months. How can I create a work-life balance that feels healthy, fulfilling, and in line with my values and priorities? Are those values and priorities even the same as they were a few years ago? … The beautiful thing about this career, and life in general, is that there are so many different ways to live your mission.”

In the first of his performances since taking up his full-time position at AGMA, Ferring has announced three upcoming engagements for spring and summer 2024. He will sing the role of Confidente d’Erode in Haymarket Opera’s production of “La decollazione di San Giovanni Battista,” Don Ottavio in Opéra de Rouen Normandie’s production of “Don Giovanni” and will sing at the Seagle Festival Gala. He will also record an album of new commissions by composer Evan Snyder.