Fort Worth Opera has announced major changes to its leadership.

Fort Worth Opera General Director Afton Battle was elected to the OPERA AMERICA Board of Directors and will serve as Co-Chair of the Membership and Development Council. Battle took over in September 2020 for Nelson Claytor, Ph. D., who has served for eight years on the board (including the last two as Chair) and was the Acting General Director of the company for seven months.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve Fort Worth Opera as Chair for the past two years,” Dr. Claytor said in a press release. “The past 18 months have been extraordinarily difficult for opera and the performing arts, but Fort Worth Opera has weathered the storm, and I cannot wait for our 75th Anniversary Season to begin. We are exceptionally fortunate to have Afton Battle as our General Director; her focus on engaging the entire Fort Worth community through the beauty and power of the voice has led to a remarkable and vibrant plan for our 75th year.

Meanwhile, the Fort Worth Opera Board of Trustees has elected Ryan Krause, Ph. D. as new Chair and announced Keon Anderson, DDS, Ashley Lacamp, Katherine Hernández Polenz, Ebony R. Rose and Hayne Shumate as new board members.

Nicole Duvall has been elected Secretary and Barbara Jordán returns as Treasurer. They have been elected as Co-Vice Presidents.

“I am honored to assume the role of Chairman of the Board when we return to theaters with our 75th anniversary season,” said Dr. Krause. “In addition, Afton is a true visionary and I share with her her ambition to make opera accessible to all the people of Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, I am very happy.”