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Jeffrey Larson - Founder/President, L2 Artists
Jeffrey Larson is the founder and president of the L2 Artists management company in New York City. He has dedicated himself to the development and management of world-class artists for over a decade.
After seven years at Columbia Artists Management, followed by Artistic Services Manager at OPERA America, he has built and managed successful partnerships with a distinguished list of artists and performing arts organizations alike.
He served as an adjudicator for the Oratorio Society of New York’s Solo Competition, as well as presented master classes at Rice University and Westminster Choir College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree from University of Kentucky, both in Vocal Performance, and a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts Administration from New York University.
Carleen Graham - Director, HGOco
Carleen Graham has been director of Houston Grand Opera's community collaboration and education initiative, HGOco, since 2016.
Formerly a distinguished teaching professor at the State University of New York at Potsdam, Graham taught courses including Teaching Opera to Children and Opera, Research, and Advocacy. She was recognized by the university with its President’s and Chancellor’s awards for excellence in teaching. As director of the university’s Crane Opera Ensemble, she was instrumental in establishing and administering the Dominic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize for new works that explore themes related to tolerance, inclusion, and celebration of diversity. She also oversaw a program that enables regional schoolchildren to attend campus performances and engage in interactive workshops with college students.
Graham is a former director of the university’s Center for Undergraduate Research (2009–13), which promotes undergraduate research across the curriculum and fosters inquiry-based student learning. She has led forums for Opera America and the National Opera Association on new developments in community engagement and education.
Carleen Graham earned a bachelor of music degree from Ohio University, a master of music degree and graduate diploma in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a doctor of education degree in music and music education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Viswa Subbaraman - Conductor
Internationally acclaimed American conductor, Viswa Subbaraman, most recently led the premiere production of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston's A Topsy Turvy Mikado.
Raised in West Texas, he studied at Duke University where he earned degrees in both music and biology. After completing a master’s degree from Texas Tech University, he was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study conducting with John Nelson in Paris where he also worked as the Visiting Assistant Conductor of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. Shortly thereafter, Subbaraman was offered a post by Kurt Masur with the Orchestre National de France.
During his tenure as Artistic and Music Director at the Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, he expanded the company’s repertoire and placed it at the forefront of the industry in producing contemporary opera and reimaging traditional works. His most recent production was Thomas Ades’ Powder Her Face, directed by Robin Guarino, which was declared “a triumph for Skylight’s artistic leader” (urbanmilwaukee.com) and he was praised for his “sublime control of this music, and the singers” (broadwayworld.com). Other highlights include Beethoven’s Fidelio, set in a Bollywood production, which he conducted and stage directed; the world premiere of Somtow Sucharitkul’s Snow Dragon which traveled to Bangkok, Thailand; Philip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox; and acclaimed mountings of Puccini’s iconic Tosca and Rossini’s La Cenerentola, modified for Skylight’s unique, 200-seat Baroque theater.