JULIA NOULIN-MÉRAT
GENERAL DIRECTOR + CEO
“The last five seasons of Opera Columbus, under General Director Julia Noulin-Mérat, have been characterized by a collaborative spirit and no patience for complacency, huge swings that, when they hit, hit big. Their landmark production of West Side Story – working with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and BalletMet and CAPA – is a jaw-dropping reminder of the power of these arts-focused companies.” Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground, Feb 2025
Photo credit: Adam Cairns
Julia Noulin-Mérat is an American, Canadian, and French producer, designer and has been the General Director + CEO of Opera Columbus for the past 5 seasons. Noulin-Mérat has brought her extensive experience with immersive theatre and operatic performances to OC and is redefining the very concept of regional opera, with original productions that celebrate emerging talent, fresh perspectives, and modern technology, engaging a new, diverse audience. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honored as the NonProfit Executive Director of the Year 2024 at the Central Ohio Pillar Awards.
Previously, Noulin-Mérat was for 9 years the Associate Producer at Boston Lyric Opera and was the co-Artistic Director of Guerilla Opera having begun her tenure as their Producer + Director of Production for 11 years. She is the creative director for Hong Kong-based More Than Musical. In addition, Noulin-Mérat has worked on over 430 opera, theater, and television productions, including 28 new operas, 22 new plays.
Other projects include a TEDx talk on site-specific opera productions in the modern age, Neverland (China Broadway): a $20 million, 50,000 square immersive theater piece in Beijing based on Peter Pan directed by Allegra Libonati, which required collaboration with 650 people, a PPE friendly outdoor Fall Festival productions (the Atlanta Opera) directed by Tomer Zvulun, an immersive Pagliacci (Boston Lyric Opera) production complete with fair grounds inside an ice rink directed by David Lefkowich and Playground (Opera Omaha) a National touring operatic sound sculpture in collaboration with composer Ellen Reid.
She has served on the panel for OPERA America adjudicating the Tobin Director- Designer showcase and is actively involved in the Women’s Opera Network, first as a mentee (General Director distinction) and now as a mentor. Noulin-Mérat is a part of the OA Leadership Intensive cohort and currently serves on the OPERA America Board as Council Co-Chair, Learning & Leadership. She was selected to be one of the 10 delegates to represent the United States at the World Opera Forum 2024 in Los Angeles.
With over 25 years of experience in the performing arts industry and a big advocate for cultural equity in opera, she is a graduate of Boston University with a Masters in Business Arts Administration, an MFA in Set Design, a Diversity Inclusion certificate from ESSEC Business School, a social media marketing specialization from Northwestern University, a Fundraising Development Specialization from UC Davis, a Finance & Leadership certification from Harvard Business School. Her work has been featured in Opera News, LiveDesign, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to name a few.
OC Leadership History
- Julia Noulin-Mérat, General Director + CEO, 2021-present
- Peggy Kriha, General Director + CEO, 2019-2020
- Peggy Kriha, General and Artistic Director, 2017-2019
- Chad Whittington, Executive Director, 2016-2017
- Peggy Kriha, Artistic Director, 2014-2017
- William Conner, Managing Director & CEO, 2011-2016
- Press Southworth, Executive Director, 2006-2011
- William Boggs, Artistic Director, 2002-2011
- Philip Dobard, General Director, 2002-2006
- William Russell, General Director, 1991-2002
- John Gage General, Director, 1989-1991
- Michael Harrison, General Director, 1983-1989
- Vivian F. Zoë, Executive Manager, 1982-1983
- Lee Schaenen, Artistic Director, 1982-1984
- Evan Whallon, Artistic Director, 1981-1982
