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Chandler Johnson

Chandler Johnson

Artistic Director of Dayton Opera (appointed July 2026); arts administrator and voice performer with experience at Santa Fe Opera, LA Opera, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Jul 16, 2026

1:04
So Chandler, what is your first day on the job like with the Dayton Opera?
1:08
orientation lots of paperwork meeting and greeting the staff and I actually started July 1st so I it was kind of nice I had two days in the office then we had a holiday and this week I've been in the office every day and lots of meetings donor and board meetings and those kinds of things
2:02
So when does the real fun begin with your job with the Dayton Opera?
2:06
It's already started.
2:08
Right now, we're looking to plan future seasons.
2:11
So throwing ideas at a wall is very exciting.
2:15
But as to Kathleen's point, then comes the research, then comes the Does it make sense to do this? Is there any big celebration, big birthday of some composer or big event in Dayton that we need to celebrate? So then there's, again, more planning on top of the planning.
2:32
So it's all fun, but there are some things we like to do more than others.

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