LeighHolman
- Associate Professor of Opera
- Director, Eklund Opera Program + Resident Stage Director
- Artistic Director, 鶹ѰNew Opera Workshop (鶹ѰNOW)
- VOICE + OPERA + MUSICAL THEATRE
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A dynamic force in the opera world, moves seamlessly between her roles as a stage director, producer, educator and innovator. But you’re also likely to find her on stage as a professional jazz vocalist performing the Great American Songbook at local venues with members of the 鶹ѰBoulder jazz faculty and other leading musicians—a reflection of the versatile, holistic and vibrant artistry she brings to her leadership of theEklund Opera Program.
Holman’s work as a director and master teacher is acclaimed internationally. Her directing engagements include a critically acclaimed production of Mozart’s “Die Entführung aus Serail”for thePafos Aphrodite Festivalin Cyprus and Rossini’s“La cambiale di matrimonio”for thePiccolo Opera Festival Friuli Venezia Giulia. She is also a returning teacher for theAccademia Internationale del Musicalin Rome, Italy. In North America, she has directed forFlorida Grand OperaandOpéra de Montréal, among others.
Her commitment to developing the next generation of singing actors is a career-long passion. This mentorship is deeply informed by her background as a voice teacher, having previously chaired the voice faculty at the University of Arkansasand served as a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University. Before leading the Eklund Opera Program, she was director of education and resident artists at Opera Colorado, guiding emerging professionals at the start of their careers. At 鶹ѰBoulder, she channels that mentorship into directing three mainstage productions annually, treating the academic stage as a professional environment where students hone their craft to the highest industry standards.
As a scholar and practitioner of 21st-century American opera, Holman founded the nationally recognized鶹ѰNew Opera Workshop (鶹ѰNOW). This initiative provides an unparalleled laboratory experience allowing students to collaborate directly with world-renowned composers and librettists—including Jake Heggie, Mark Adamo, Tom Cipullo, Mark Campbell, Gene Scheer, Herschel Garfein, Kamala Sankaram and Lori Laitman—to develop and premiere new works. By placing students at the heart of the creative process, Holman ensures they graduate as artists fully equipped for the future of the art form.
Holman's leadership extends throughout the national opera community and the 鶹Ѱsystem. She serves on the Board of Directors for theNational Opera Association, contributes toOpera America’s Performer Development Network and serves on the University of Colorado's systemwideWomen's Committee. Her innovative work has attracted significant funding and numerous accolades including awards from the university'sResearch & Innovation Office, theBoulder County Arts Alliance (BCAA), theRoser Fellowship, Roser Visiting Artist grants and theBixler Family Award. At 鶹ѰBoulder, her leadership is recognized through her role as a Commencement Marshal.
Her approach is grounded in her own extensive experience as a performer. As a mezzo-soprano, she performed with companies includingPortland Opera,Nashville Opera and theNational Opera Companyon its national tour. Holman earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the鶹Ѱ, a Master of Music in Opera Performance from theEastman School of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from theUniversity of Southern California.