We are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Volpe OBE as NYJO’s new Development Director. Michael, widely renowned for his contribution to widening participation within the world of opera and the arts, will bring with him an incredible variety of experience and a passion for jazz, music outreach and cultural education.
The founder of Opera Holland Park, Michael took an early retirement from his role there after 31 years and was most recently the Executive Director of pioneering opera company ‘If Opera’. Michael is also a writer and cultural commentator on opera, contributing regularly to arts publications. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music by Oxford Brookes University in June 2016 for services to music education and granted an OBE for services to opera in 2020.
Michael’s approach is a powerful example of how something as seemingly rarefied as opera can be presented in a visceral and convincing way to those who have never considered it. His approachability coupled with his effervescent persuasiveness makes him an ideal messenger for the arts.
Michael tells us he also has appeared in movies directed by Woody Allen (You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger) and Dustin Hoffman’s Quartet, appearances that came about in unusual circumstances. From time to time he made films for Opera Holland Park, including From Footy to Verdi, a short film following the journey of Chelsea fans into opera. In 2018 his film Hip Hop to Opera followed a similar journey by young working-class, inner-city teenagers. The films were featured on both the BBC website, BBC Arts Online and BBC iPlayer and both won several international awards. In autumn 2019, a third film, Into The Light was released and features the stories of three veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues.
His first love, however, is jazz, jazz funk and soul – he is a drummer and enjoys playing jazz himself. In his new position with NYJO he looks forward to drawing on his rich professional experiences to contribute meaningfully to the NYJO Development mission, helping us begin this 2026 full of promise.