Meet Dr. Bree Nichols | Operatic Soprano & Founder of Opera Arlington

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Bree Nichols and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bree, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I founded Opera Arlington because I am passionate about bringing communities together through music and creating opportunities for artists. This journey began when I was 23 years old and founded Stafford Opera Troupe in my home town in Virginia. Coming from a town with no opera at all, I ran into some surprises transitioning from high school choirs to a collegiate vocal program. I realized my team and I could do something to bridge that gap for future Stafford students, and we launched the free Summer Opera Program serving high-school and young collegiate singers. This volunteer-driven program was tuition-free for students, and was our answer to the problematic “pay-to-sing” structure for many Young Artist Programs in opera, which have deepened the socioeconomic divide in our industry for decades by only providing opportunities to those who can pay thousands to participate. I was pleased to serve as General Director of Stafford Opera Troupe for three seasons.

Another driving factor in Opera Arlington’s inception was my experience living in the Czech Republic last year on a Fulbright grant. Europe’s booming opera scene was a stark contrast to the extremely competitive job market in the U.S. While America has some of the best music education in the world, we do not have a job market that supports the number of singers we’re training. I see so many world-class vocal professionals in the Dallas–Fort Worth area who, in my opinion, could have full-time performing careers in Europe, yet are still relegated to “Young Artist” opportunities on our side of the pond. Through Opera Arlington, I seek to showcase the talents of emerging artists to our community and provide them with performance opportunities that will help advance their careers; in other words, to do my small part to fill this gap in our industry.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an opera singer, I have always had a deep fascination for the many languages in which we sing, and the cultural traditions that have shaped the works we perform. For me, that curiosity led me to specialize in Czech opera and art song. After writing my dissertation on Czech opera, I spent a year living in Prague, Czech Republic on a Fulbright grant that enabled me to research and perform many outstanding and forgotten works by Czech composers from the dawn of the 20th century.

Through Czech music, I discovered a culture whose national pride did not lie in government or politics, but in its music, literature, and art. Coming from the recent U.S. climate of political polarization and ideological division, this was like a salve for my heart.

I believe that live opera—story-telling in music and art—is a bold act of community and humanity; that art has the power to change attitudes and lives; that music can sing to the most secret places of our hearts; and that this work can help our community become a more beautiful and compassionate place. It is a privilege to celebrate works, new and old, that are an outpouring of the human spirit from cultures and languages across the world.

It is my hope that Opera Arlington will build and engage a thriving music community in Arlington and DFW, connecting us like never before. It is also my goal to become a place that fosters and celebrates emerging musicians, propelling them to sustainable and successful careers in an industry that too often treats singers as replaceable. My deepest thanks to all who have already become a part of this dream, whether by attending a performance, making a donation, volunteering, or performing with us.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Once you’ve seen the Dallas Arboretum, you need to spend the day walking the halls of the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center! If you’re looking for a special night out, have dinner at La Stella and walk across the street to the Meyerson or the Winspear to enjoy the symphony or the opera.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without Martin Vodrážka, a Prague-based baritone and voice teacher who became my mentor throughout, and leading up to, my Fulbright year in the Czech Republic. As I pursued the research and performance of Czech vocal music, Martin taught me everything I know about singing in Czech, with a passion that I am now able to pass on to others. He invested countless hours sharing not only his knowledge, but also wisdom, artistry, resilience, and a persistence that helped open the doors of my future. His unassuming generosity of spirit and his belief in me have truly changed my life.

Website: https://www.operaarlington.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operaarlington/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opera-arlington/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/operaarlington/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/operaarlington

Other: If you like, you could also share my artist links: https://www.breenichols.com/ https://www.instagram.com/singbree/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QWdl5Ef3AfdR1Rsq30VHs https://www.youtube.com/@breenichols