Opera Sarasota in Florida has announced that Martha Collins has been appointed to the position of Director of Education.

In her new role, Collins will be at the forefront of Sarasota Opera’s Youth Opera and Adult Education programs and community engagement efforts.

“I am excited to take on an expanded role in passing on this art form that I love to others,” Collins stated about her new position in a press release.

Collins first joined Opera Sarasota in 2004 as a stage director in the Apprentice Artists programs. She would direct a number of productions including “Dialogue of the Carmelites,” “Nabucco,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and and “The Happy Deception,” among others. She has directed the annual Sarasota Youth Opera production since 2005. Even in her new role, she is scheduled to continue directing productions with the company.

In addition to her work with Sarasota Opera, Collins has directed productions for such companies as  Tri-Cities Opera, Opera Southwest, New York University, and New England Conservatory. She has also taught at New York University, Swarthmore College, Brevard Music Center, and the Florence Voice Seminar in Italy.

Prior to directing, she had a career as a performer, notably appearing as a finalist at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 1985 and starring as Mimì in the iconic “Bohème” scene from “Moonstruck.”