Opera Birmingham is proud to announce the appointment of Natalie Bergeron as its new Executive and Artistic Director, effective August 1, 2025. Bergeron brings to the role a rare combination of international operatic acclaim and executive-level leadership in global business—making her uniquely positioned to guide Opera Birmingham into a dynamic new era.
A Birmingham-area native, Bergeron returns to her roots after spending more than a decade performing throughout Europe and the Americas as an Italian dramatic soprano, while simultaneously building a distinguished career in human resources and financial management across the corporate and nonprofit sectors.
“Opera Birmingham is thrilled to welcome Natalie Bergeron,” said Matthew Penfield, Chair of the Opera Birmingham Board of Directors. “She brings not only extraordinary musical talent and vision, but also deep expertise in business strategy and organizational leadership. Natalie’s unique background will help us grow artistically and with renewed purpose. The Birmingham arts community will benefit from her leadership.”
Bergeron most recently served as Director of Human Resources at EWTN, following 18 years of consulting and leadership roles in global HR and financial operations. She previously held positions including Global Head of HR for a multinational software company spanning 21 countries, and Business Process Manager for the Europe and Americas Technology division of Standard Chartered Bank, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. She has also consulted for numerous U.S. startups, specializing in business planning, HR systems, and budgeting.
At the same time, Bergeron maintained a vibrant international opera career, with a home base in Manhattan and extended residences in Madrid and Cremona. Her signature roles include Elsa in Lohengrin, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Abigaille in Nabucco, Tosca, Turandot, Leonora in Il Trovatore and many more.
Bergeron holds a BA in Music from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a MM in Vocal Performance from The University of Alabama and is “all but dissertation” on a DMA at the University of Memphis. She has also served as a mentor and competition judge at the Zahn Innovation Center, CCNY’s venture incubator in Manhattan, where she helped guide multiple teams to first-place wins.
As Opera Birmingham looks toward its 2025–2026 Season, the company is poised for growth—with a renewed commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, and financial sustainability under Bergeron’s leadership.