Who We Are

Opera has been part of island culture for more than a century…
Its history in Hawaiʻi, which dates back to the 1850s, includes stories of Queen Emma singing in the chorus of Verdi’s Il Trovatore while her husband, King Kamehameha IV, served as the stage manager! Today, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre is known for its vibrant and creative season productions, engaging STUDIO101 events, and award-winning education programs.

Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre is a proud member of Opera America! Visit https://www.operaamerica.org/ to learn more. 


A New Vision
This is an exciting time for your Hawai’i Opera Theatre’s future, and we are proud to announce our rearticulated Mission, Vision, and Values statements, which will guide the continued development of our organizational culture and shape our purpose in Hawai’i and beyond.
Mission
Hawai’i Opera Theatre enriches the quality of life in our island communities through the inspirational power and joy of opera.
Vision
Hawai’i Opera Theatre (HOT) believes that different perspectives, cultural histories, life experiences and personal stories enrich the operatic repertoire and have the potential to make meaningful local and worldwide impacts. As a regional company, HOT is committed to supporting and engaging creators and music lovers who reflect the diversity of Hawai’i.
Values
Hawai’i Opera Theatre believes that:
Opera is for everyone
Opera can tell all stories through music
Opera is a complete and collaborative artform, integrating the elements of visual art, words, vocal and instrumental music, drama, and dance
Opera plays an important role in building a robust and sustainable community that can have worldwide impact
Opera is integral to a well-rounded education, teaching valuable skills in teamwork, personal expression, literacy, and confidence

We hold these core values close to our hearts:
Aloha
Approaching everything we do and say, every day, with utmost respect
‘Ohana
Extending our family to include everyone of all backgrounds
Mālama
Caring for and cherishing our community, our artform, our company and everyone in it
Integrity
Conducting our business in ways that are trustworthy, honorable, and transparent


Since 1961, Hawai’i Opera Theatre (HOT), founded as a division of the Honolulu Symphony Society and incorporated in 1980, has served to enhance the quality of life in Hawaiʻi by presenting opera performances and education programs of the highest standards.  With its upcoming commemoration of 60 years as the only professional opera company in Hawaiʻi, HOT is one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state with performances and education presentations on all of the major islands.  In May 2019, General Director Andrew Morgan became the company’s fifth executive leader, bringing over 25 years of experience as a non-profit leader, singer, and stage director. 

Meet the General Director – Andrew Morgan

A seasoned arts administrator, Hawai’i Opera Theatre (HOT) General Director Andrew Morgan has over 25 years of comprehensive, hands-on experience as a manager, performer, and stage director.  Since his appointment, Andrew has continually found ways to creatively guide the company from its most successful Opera Ball in recent memory to the HOT Digital Initiative, which was launched in direct response to COVID-19. 

Andrew was appointed to lead HOT in May 2019.  Prior to this, he served eleven years at San Francisco Opera in roles of increasing importance that culminated in his assuming the position of Director of Development, where he managed a staff of 25.  Among his accomplishments during that tenure was leading that company’s largest-ever single year of operations fundraising, with the department achieving over $40 million in contributed revenue.  

Earlier in his career, Andrew served as Executive Director for American Bach Soloists in San Francisco, where he oversaw the areas of Development, Marketing, Public Relations, Box Office, Union Relations, and Administration, leading the company through an era of tremendous growth.  He also worked for ten years with the famed men’s a capella ensemble Chanticleer, first as a tenor and subsequently as Artistic Assistant, with duties that included education program coordinator, contracts and schedule manager, music librarian, and program book editor. 

As a tenor and stage director, Andrew appeared with numerous ensembles throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, participating in over 50 opera productions in various capacities. Andrew holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education-Voice from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana.

HOT Staff

Meet the people who work year-round to bring you the best in opera and reach thousands of children through our award-winning programs.

Name Title Extension Email Address
Andrew Morgan General Director 201 a_morgan@hawaiiopera.org
Ysabelle Cerrafon Box Office & Marketing Assistant 208 y_cerrafon@hawaiiopera.org
Erik D. Haines Director of Education Programs 207 e_haines@hawaiiopera.org
Blythe Kelsey Artistic Manager 215 b_kelsey@hawaiiopera.org
Regi Lammers Director of Development 225 r_lammers@hawaiiopera.org
Natalie Mitchell Special Events Coordinator
Kawaiola Murray Education Operations Manager 205 k_murray@hawaiiopera.org
Jamie Offenbach Artistic Director 214 j_offenbach@hawaiiopera.org
Lore Ramiro Box Office Manager 210 l_ramiro@hawaiiopera.org
Suzanne Ruiz Director of Finance & Administration 204 s_ruiz@hawaiiopera.org
Eric Schank Education Music Specialist 206 e_schank@hawaiiopera.org
Gordon P. Svec Director of Production 212 g_svec@hawaiiopera.org
Karen Uehara Artistic Administrator 226 k_uehara@hawaiiopera.org
Elizabeth E. Wilson Director of Marketing & Communications 209 e_wilson@hawaiiopera.org
Stuart Zwagil Chief of Staff 202 s_zwagil@hawaiiopera.org

Board of Directors

A diverse group of community leaders, opera patrons, business professionals, and arts supporters comprise the volunteer board of directors for HOT who support the organization throughout the year with their time, talent, expertise, and network of resources.

President

Steven Prieto

Vice President
Curtis T. Thompson, M.D.

Secretary
Marrie Schaefer

Treasurer
Linda C. Nelson

Counsel 
John L. Knorek, Esq.

President Emeritus 
James H. McCoy

Directors

Linn Alber
Joe Bock
Pamela Andelin Cameron
Julia Frohlich Cherry
Marilyn “Lyn” B. Clarkin
Robert K. Daley​​
Suzanne B. Engel
David Franklin
Keith Kalway
David A. Keli’ikuli
Floria “Lori” Komer
Beverly Kravitt
Jason Kravitt
James T. Leavitt, Esq.
Dorette P.S. Luke
Noreen Mulliken
Daniel Nishikawa
Sarah M. Richards
Jean E. Rolles
Aaron J. Salā
Juli Shaindlin
David Y. Takagi
Carolyn A. Berry Wilson
Veronica Wong
Leighton Yuen
Andrea Zannoni

Emeritus Members

Margaret B. Armstrong
Frances “Patsy” Bunn
Robert B. Bunn*
June Chambers
Leonard Chow
Helen Gary
Thomas P. Huber
Robert S. Katz, Esq.
Ralph Kiessling
Evelyn B. Lance
Christine “Chris” O’Brien
Richard Palma*
Joyce Tomonari
Marilyn Trankle
Stephen H. Turner
Maggie S. Walker
Cori Weston
Charles Wichman
Adrienne Wing, M.D. 
*Deceased