The Houston Grand Opera has announced that Colin Michael Brush has taken over the position of Director of the Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio.

Brush, whose tenure started on Oct. 3, will be in charge of the artistic development of the young artists in the program and will also recruit future candidates.

“I am so passionate about this art form,” Brush said in an official press statement. “I am honored by the faith HGO has put in me to further its mission. Our choices today profoundly influence opera’s future. We must champion extraordinary new talents as we honor our traditions. Throughout my career, I have sought to prepare artists for not only their own success, but also the success of the operatic art. I can think of no better place to continue this work than with HGO in Houston.”

Brush previously worked with ADA Artists / UIA Talent and was also the artistic administrator for the Washington National Opera.