Cassidy-Dedics joins WNO from the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, where she is Global Director of Healing Arts and Director of International Engagement.

As Executive Director, Catherine will bring this extensive leadership and international experience to WNO, overseeing the Company’s business and operations and working across the organisation and with key external partners and stakeholders to support its long-term ambitions.

In a statement Cassidy-Dedics said, “It’s a privilege to join Welsh National Opera at a time of transformation and opportunity. Together we have the chance to reimagine what an opera company can be – honouring WNO’s remarkable heritage while creating the opera of the future: artistically ambitious, deeply connected to our communities, and relevant to audiences across Wales and beyond. WNO has an extraordinary artistic legacy, and I’m excited to work with colleagues, artists, audiences and partners to build an opera company that is bold, inclusive and sustainable for generations to come. I’m also delighted to be moving to Cardiff, a city with such a vibrant cultural identity. My partner and I look forward to becoming part of its community.”

Walsh brings over 20 years of producing experience across art forms including theatre, dance, site-specific and large-scale outdoor events across the UK and internationally. She specializes in artist-led new and cross-discipline work and was recently Head of Producing for the National Theatre Scotland.

Walsh noted, “I’m thrilled to be joining in this new role at such an important time in WNO’s history. I’ve loved the last 9 months at the Company working with my brilliant colleagues, who have such a depth of expertise and passion for the art form of opera. WNO holds a really special and important place in the arts ecology in Wales. Under Sarah and Adele’s leadership and artistic vision, I believe this will be the most exciting place to be making work in the UK. ”

WNO Co-General Directors and CEOs, Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine and Jo into these two vital leadership roles. They bring an exceptional breadth of experience, fresh thinking, and a shared belief in the transformative power of the arts.”