Nashville Opera Association
615-832-5242
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The Noah Liff Opera Center 3622 Redmon Street
Nashville, TN 37209
Organization Details

Executive Director


Executive Director Mr. John Hoomes
E-mail jhoomes@nashvilleopera.org
Term Start June 1995
John's Experience: John Hoomes - CEO and Artistic Director: Mr. Hoomes has been Artistic Director of Nashville Opera since 1995. He is also in demand as a freelance director and has directed over 150 productions of opera and music theater in the US, South America, and Canada.

"Hoomes has proved himself one of the most interesting stage directors in the regional market today with a seemingly limitless knowledge of repertoire." (Opera News)

Since receiving his master's degree at Indiana University, Hoomes has worked for many companies including Opera Lyra Ottawa, Teatro Colon, Cincinnati Opera, The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Indianapolis Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera.

In June 2016, Hoomes' production of Florencia en al Amazonas traveled to New York to be performed in Lincoln Center. In January 2017, Hoomes directed the company's world premiere of Three Way, composed by Robert Paterson, and took the production to the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music's Fishman Space for its New York Premiere in June 2017. Under Hoomes' leadership, the company has launched itself to the forefront of community engagement for arts organizations citywide. With his eye for diverse programming and telling stories through song, Nashville Opera connects the programming to diverse populations, bringing added value to the expressive experiences offered through the company's core product.

With support on cultural competency, accessibility and sensory friendly performances, the company has positioned itself as a foundation of the Nashville creative community, and is deeply committed to serving the region through its mission of creating, educating and performing opera.

Senior Staff


Name Title
Ms. Claudia McCauley Development Director
Mr. J. Randall Williams Director of Production
Ms. Lee Carroll Chief Development Officer
Ms. Tammy Joseph Director of Finance and Administration
Will Shutes Director of Marketing & PR
Anne Rogers Director of Artistic Administration
Stephen Carey Director of Engagement
AM Mizzoni Director of Facilities

Staff

Full Time Staff 14
Part Time Staff 0
Volunteers 200
Contractors 150
Retention Rate 83%

Plans & Policies

Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan? Yes
Does your organization have a Strategic Plan? Yes
Years Strategic Plan Considers 5
When was the Strategic Plan adopted? July 2022
Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan? Under Development
Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan? Yes
Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? Yes
Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy? Yes
Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy? Yes

Evaluation

Is there a formal evaluation for... Frequency (if applicable)
CEO/Executive Director Yes Annually
Senior Management Yes Annually
Non-Management Yes Annually

Affiliations

Affiliation Year
Affiliate/Chapter of National Organization 1981
Afterschool Alliance 2013
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce 2005
Business Committee for the Arts 2006
Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network 1997
Leadership Nashville 2005
Metro Arts Commission 1996
Metro Nashville Public Schools/Chamber of Commerce Alignment Process 1996
Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2005
Nashville Arts Coalition 1998
Nashville Chamber of Commerce 2012
Nashville Rotary Club 1996
NowPlayingNashville.com 2007
PENCIL 2011
Performing Arts Center Consortium 2008
Tennesseans for the Arts 2004
Tennessee Arts Commission 1997

Awards


Award / Recognition Organization Year
3 Awards for Print Designs Addy Awards 2009
Best of; Recognizing Excellence - Noah Liff Opera Center South Central Construction 2009
Bravo - Business of the Year Opera America 2006
Bravo - Success Award Opera America 2006
Bravo Award Opera America 2000
Excellence in Design - Noah Liff Opera Center Urban Land Institute 2009
History/Biography - BRONZE Telly Award: A Nation Crossing A Field (Non-Broadcast Productions) 2013
Invitation Design - 2010 La Bella Notte & 2014 Mad Men Addy Awards 2014
Kresge Challenge Grant Award Kresge Foundation 2011
Partners in Excellence Opera Guilds International 2002
Social Issues - SILVER AWARD Telly Award: A Nation Crossing A Field (Non-Broadcast Productions) 2013
SunTrust Business Acumen in the Arts - finalist Center for Nonprofit Management 2013
Trustee Recognition Award Opera America 2012
Writer's Choice Best of Nashville Nashville Scene 2012
Writers' Choice: Best Mobile Outreach Program Nashville Scene 2021
Writers' Choice: Best Virtual Artistic Fellowship Nashville Scene 2021

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments


Because Nashville Opera owns its own building, the company reports a non-cash expense of depreciation on IRS Form 990, which directly impacts the operating surplus/deficit. A copy of Nashville Opera's most recent audit is will be available on Giving Matters by March 31, 2021.

In FY-16, an extraordinary gift of $1 million enabled Nashville Opera take the following steps for fiscal health:

• Eliminated all debt
• Canceled one line of credit, leaving a single line of credit for cash flow (hasn't been used in three years)
• Saved $18,000-27,000/yr in annual fees
• Restructured staff and cut three positions to reduce administrative overhead
• Increased oversight via monthly review of budget by Board Executive Committee and Board Finance Committee, and weekly review of cash flow by senior staff and Executive Committee.

In FY-19 Nashville Opera launched an Anniversary Endowment Campaign for sustainability, with a goal of increasing the current endowment to $10 million by FY-21. A lead gift has been secured.

Thanks to Nashville Opera's generous supporters, the company has continued to provide meaningful content to the public during the pandemic, has provided employment opportunities to artists, and has maintained staff at full capacity.