OperaDelaware Launches Groundbreaking Company Artist Model - Redefining Creative Employment

OperaDelaware, the First State’s premier opera company, is setting a revolutionary precedent for the performing arts industry with its newly developed Company Artist model. Supported by funding from the Longwood Foundation and the Presser Foundation, this innovative initiative redefines the traditional relationship between artists and opera companies. Through a strategic blend of artistry and administration, OperaDelaware aims to transform Delaware into a thriving cultural hub while addressing widespread employment challenges faced by professional artists nationwide. 

As part of its comprehensive strategic planning process—supported by the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, Social Contract, and the Nonprofit Center at La Salle University—OperaDelaware has pioneered a full-time employment structure for artists. The Company Artist model moves beyond the outdated “starving artist” trope by employing creatives as salaried staff. These individuals will serve dual roles, contributing both on stage and behind the scenes in critical operational areas such as marketing, development, and education. 

OperaDelaware is proud to announce the first four artists selected for its groundbreaking Company Artist program: sopranos Toni Marie Palmertree and Emily Margevich, tenor Dane Suarez, and baritone Gerard Moon. These talented performers will not only take the stage in OperaDelaware’s upcoming productions but also play an integral role in the company’s operational success, utilizing their unique skills to enhance development, marketing, and education efforts. In 2025, audiences can look forward to a series of Company Artist-curated recitals and cabarets, including: Emily Margevich, soprano, on January 25 at 2 PM; the Company Artists Review on March 1 at 4 PM; Dane Suarez, tenor, on March 30 at 2 PM; Gerard Moon, baritone, on April 13 at 2 PM; and a Soprano Cabaret featuring Toni Marie Palmertree and Emily Margevich on April 25 at 7 PM and April 27 at 2 PM. 

By employing artists as both performers and administrators, OperaDelaware is creating a sustainable model that strengthens connections between its artists, the company, and the local community. The program’s success will be closely monitored, with plans to evaluate its scalability as an industry standard for regional opera companies nationwide. 

As the Company Artist model progresses, OperaDelaware invites community members, partners, and stakeholders to support this vital work. By fostering a creative workforce, the organization aims to inspire new possibilities for the arts industry and the cultural identity of Delaware. 

For tickets and more information about upcoming performances, visit OperaDelaware’s website.