Eliza Escalante is a classically-trained singer, director, educator and arts advocate in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex with over eight years of experience in the nonprofit, education, and fine arts sectors. She received her Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas and her Bachelor of Music from Iowa State University. Before stepping into the role of General Director of Opera Arlington, Eliza was the head of the Arts Department at Dallas International School and a Senior Music Instructor at the DFW Institute of Musical Advancement. She is a recipient of the Nicholas and Anna Ricco Ethics Award for her writing on the ethics of Young Artist Programs.

In the stage director's chair, Eliza’s main objective is to create fantastical productions that highlight the ever-evolving human experience. Her love of learning fuels her desire to find new and relevant ways to bring opera into the hearts and minds of audiences and musicians alike. She served as the Creative Director and Film Director for Lumedia Musicworks until 2022, where her work in short film received international recognition.

During Opera Arlington’s inaugural season, Eliza Escalante co-directed Così fan tutte in 2023 before producing and directing the acclaimed production of Dvořák’s Rusalka in 2024. Since then, Eliza has been at the helm of the organization’s growth, making opera accessible to hundreds of community members annually and supporting the careers of early-career musicians.

Bree Nichols is a soprano, vocal educator, and arts professional who has performed across the United States and internationally. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of North Texas and a Master of Music degree from University of Georgia. A Fulbright grantee to the Czech Republic in 2021–22, Bree is known for her interpretations of Czech vocal music in addition to a diverse operatic repertoire. Her career has taken her to Glyndebourne, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Tulsa Opera, Opera Bergen, International Janáček Music Festival, National Moravian-Silesian Theatre, North Czech Philharmonic, and many more. In 2020, she was the winner of the Presser Award in support of her performance and study of Czech opera. Off the stage, Bree Nichols is a scholar and innovator in community opera initiatives. In 2016, she founded Stafford Opera Troupe in her hometown of Stafford, Virginia, where she created the Summer Opera Program offering free training and performance opportunities to young singers. She founded Opera Arlington in October 2022, serving as General Director through the company’s inaugural season before transitioning to the role of Artistic Director. During her time as General Director, Bree raised nearly $30,000 in private donations, produced Mozart’s Così fan tutte and Dvořák’s Rusalka in addition to numerous public and private concert performances, and employed over 60 emerging musicians at Opera Arlington. Now based in Prague, Czeshe continues to support the creative vision and direction of OA’s season offerings and serves as the President of the Opera Arlington Board of Directors.