James M. Norman and Kevin Bylsma have been appointed as the new leadership of Toledo Opera upon the retirement of current Executive Director Suzanne Rorick on May 31, 2024. James M. Norman will serve as the General Director and Kevin Bylsma will serve as the Artistic Director. Norman and Bylsma bring a combined 45 years of experience with Toledo Opera as a company. This announcement comes following a Toledo Opera Board-led interview process.
“As a board, we are incredibly pleased to find the future leadership of Toledo Opera within the organization,” shared Toledo Opera Board President Barbara Oostra. “Jim Norman will take the position of General Director, and Kevin Bylsma will be the Artistic Director. Both of them have been vital members of Toledo Opera, as well as the Toledo community, for many years and we are excited for the continued success of our organization.”
Native Toledoan James M. Norman began his relationship with Toledo Opera in 1981 as a freshman at the University of Toledo, singing in the chorus of Aida. He sang with the company for two seasons, returning to the chorus in 1987 at the request of Maestro James Meena. He performed in both chorus and comprimari roles until 2000. In 2011, he was once again called upon by Meena to serve as a stage manager for Turandot. Following the conclusion of that production, Executive Director Suzanne Rorick brought Norman onto the staff to serve as Production Manager on a part time basis. His role shifted to full time in June of 2016, when he was appointed Director of Production. In the fall of 2019, Norman was named as Co-Artistic Director (in addition to Director of Production) upon the departure of James Meena. Norman has since collaborated with Kevin Bylsma and Suzanne Rorick to select and cast Toledo Opera productions. Norman has enjoyed a long career in the Northwest Ohio arts community as a director, costumer, stage manager, educator, and performer.
“I am truly humbled to have been entrusted with the future of Toledo Opera,” shared James M. Norman. “My primary goal is to align with the vision of our esteemed board to build upon the remarkable achievements of my predecessors as we embark on an exciting phase of increasing our influence and relevance within the Toledo community.”
“I am honored and thrilled to be named Artistic Director of Toledo Opera,” shared Kevin Bylsma. “Not only is it my goal to maintain the high artistic level that is the hallmark of Toledo Opera productions, but also to introduce even more Toledoans to the passion and joy that is opera!”
Kevin Bylsma began his relationship with Toledo Opera upon his departure from Detroit Opera (formerly Michigan Opera Theatre) in May of 1997. He was appointed as the Head of Music Preparation and Musical Assistant to Maestro James Meena. Bylsma soon moved to the Toledo community and served in his role for seven seasons. In 2011, he returned to Toledo Opera at the request of Executive Director Suzanne Rorick. Bylsma’s role at Toledo Opera has grown in the 12 years that he has been with the company. Most recently, he has been the principal rehearsal pianist for all mainstage operas, chorus master, Co-Artistic Director, and Head of Music Preparation. In collaboration with Suzanne Rorick and James Norman, he has aided in selecting and casting all of the operatic offerings of Toledo Opera since the fall of 2019. Bylsma has served at Bowling Green State University as an Associate Teaching Professor of Opera since 2006 and acts as a liaison between Bowling Green State University and Toledo Opera – who have enjoyed a longstanding partnership.
For current Executive Director of Toledo Opera, Suzanne Rorick, Norman and Bylsma are uniquely qualified to take the reins: “In my years at Toledo Opera, I have learned that managing a nonprofit is not a straight line. You take information from the community and those around you to create a straight line out of the circumstances at hand. How lucky we are at Toledo Opera to have two gentlemen on our team who are willing and more than able to take on the job. The timing is right and they are right for the job,” shared Rorick.
For more information about Toledo Opera please visit toledoopera.org. For media access, please contact Rachael Cammarn at rcammarn@toledoopera.org.
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