Opera 5 is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Derventzis as Artistic Director of Opera 5. Jessica’s appointment follows the recent departure of Aria Umezawa from the role. Jessica is no stranger to Opera 5. She has worked with Opera 5 since 2016 as Production Manager, as well as co-directing the company’s 2016 production of Die Fledermaus, and directing the ground-breaking production of Suffragette in June 2017. Previous to these positions, Jessica was a volunteer for Opera 5 since 2014. Jessica next directs Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Opera 5 in June 2018.
The Board of Directors and the current staff could not be more thrilled to work with Jessica in a deeper artistic way to shape the future direction of Opera 5. Jessica is exactly the collaborative and visionary artist who will help take Opera 5 to the next level.
Since Jessica has been working for years with Opera 5, her transition to Artistic Director has been easy, and Jessica has quickly come up to speed in her new position. The team trusts Jessica to continue to set Opera 5 apart in the independent opera scene in Toronto.
Jessica Derventzis began her career in the arts with studies in piano performance at Queen’s University where she simultaneously worked as an accompanist for opera productions and collaborating with singers in the Voice Department. Following graduation, Jessica taught theatre studies at the High School level for five years directing over twenty productions while mentoring her students to achieve a well-rounded theatrical education, including acting, designing, technical theatre, and theatre history. Leaving teaching to pursue a professional career in opera, she has worked as a director and assistant director with Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Winnipeg Opera, Vancouver Opera, Tapestry Opera, Opera Kelowna, Opera McGill, Opera Nuova and more. Jessica is also very active in and has deep connections to the indie opera scene. Under her own company, Stu&Jess Productions, Jessica has produced three programs in Montreal in eclectic and unique venues. She currently holds a place on the executive committee of Indie Opera TO and most recently was awarded the Metcalf Foundation Performing Arts Internship grant for 2018 to work with Tapestry Opera on directing, dramaturgy, and artistic direction.
