The South Bend Lyric Opera hired its first executive director, Rita Koehler.
Koehler has a long history with the arts community in North Central Indiana. She also was a member of the South Bend Lyric Opera's board of directors.
“The creation of our first executive director position represents an exciting next chapter for South Bend Lyric Opera,” said Emanuel-Cristian Caraman, founder and artistic director, in a press release. “Rita understands both our organization and our community. She brings tremendous creative energy, strong relationships and a clear vision for helping us grow while remaining true to our mission of making exceptional opera accessible and relevant to audiences across the communities we serve.”
Koehler's decades as a South Bend-based multimedia artist will help her to oversee the opera's strategic growth plans. Besides marketing and public engagement, Koehler also is a librettist, a writer who creates the dialogue or narrative for a musical.
“Having an executive director gives South Bend Lyric Opera the capacity to think bigger about what we can do and who we can reach,” said Coley Mroczek, board president. “This is an investment not only in the future of our organization, but in the strength and vitality of the arts in our region.”
Koehler earned a Master of Fine Arts in visual studies from Lesley University, a visual arts certificate in curation from the University of Chicago Graham School, an Associate of Applied Science in photography from the Art Institute of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology/theology from Saint Mary’s College.
The South Bend Lyric Opera is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Learn more about Koehler's photography and where she has served a residency here.
