David Walker Named New Director of Development of North Carolina Opera

North Carolina Opera has announced the appointment of David Walker as its new Director of Development. Mr. Walker comes to NC Opera with years of institutional experience, including driving development and fundraising campaigns for arts organizations around the country, and is an internationally known countertenor whose 18-year performance career took him to many of opera's greatest stages.

Mr. Walker joins NC Opera from his position of Associate Director of Institutional Advancement for the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY, where he was a key member of their fundraising team and assisted in overseeing the company's $3.7 million contributed income goal. He has also worked in development and marketing with Sarasota Opera, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Worth Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as served as a consultant for several national arts organizations. He has been a guest lecturer on the business of opera, and was invited to serve as a guest speaker/panelist for the 2012 Opera America Conference, the annual conference of administrative professionals from opera companies nationwide.

Prior to his arts administration career, Mr. Walker performed at some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Los Angeles Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, and the English National Opera in London, and has been praised for his work by The New York Times and The Times (London) among others. He appears on several CDs and DVDs, and has won many awards, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Australian Helpmann Award, the ARIA (Awards Recognizing Individual Artistry) Award, the Florida Grand Opera Competition, and a Sullivan Foundation Career Grants.

"NC Opera and its incredibly supportive community have already made a strong impact on me, and I feel fortunate to be able to put my talents and experience toward the sustainability and growth of this important artistic institution," said NC Opera Director of Development David Walker. "I am thrilled to be working with such a talented and caring group of people."

"With David's understanding of fundraising and development for opera organizations and his extensive career as a performer, we are excited to see the creativity and unique perspective he'll bring to the growth and success of our organization," said NC Opera General Director Eric Mitchko. "We are thrilled to have David join our team, and look forward to the amazing work he'll accomplish here."

Mr. Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Engineering from Lafayette College, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance with a certificate in Opera Performance from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Arts Administration and a Master of Business Administration (Beta Gamma Sigma distinction) with an Arts Administration focus from the College-Conservatory of Music and University of Cincinnati, respectively.

To post a comment, you must register and login.