5 things to know about Opera Carolina's new leader
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Shanté Williams, Ph.D., is a Charlotte native. She started as an Opera Carolina board member before assuming the role of general director on July 1, 2024. Photo: Brandon Grate Photography
Shanté Williams' love affair with opera began during her time at The Ohio State University, where her adviser suggested she listen to opera to help her study.
Why it matters: Williams, a venture capitalist, is the first person of color and the first woman to lead Opera Carolina.
Driving the news: Williams assumed the role of general director on July 1. She succeeds James Meena, who remains with the organization as artistic director.
Here are five things to know about Opera Carolina's new leader.
Williams is a Charlotte native.
Williams, who was born in 1982, grew up in east Charlotte and graduated from Independence High School.
What she's saying: "Charlotte isn't afraid to grow and change," Williams tells Axios.
She's an HBCU grad.
Williams earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Winston-Salem State University.
- Then, she studied at Ohio State where she earned her Ph.D. in integrated biomedical science. She went on to earn a master's degree in business administration from Queens University of Charlotte.
- Today, she's the CEO of Black Pearl Vision and global CEO of its parent company, Black Pearl Global Investments, a $25 million venture capital fund.
She loves to travel.
She has lived all over the world, including Brazil, Tennessee and Miami, but has chosen to call Charlotte home. Williams can get anywhere in the world from Charlotte's airport, she says.
- "Charlotte will always be home," she says. "It's home even if I were a transplant."
Williams will focus on Opera Carolina's business side.
She'll continue to collaborate with Maestro Meena. She also has three goals:
- Establish a new works fund that will allow people to see new work and maybe even shorter works, as opera is known for being a lengthy art form.
- Get people to try opera.
- Drive the development of Opera Carolina's resident company — meaning people who are based in the Charlotte area — and perform onstage with international artists throughout the season. The goal is to become more of an economic driver for the arts.
Her favorite opera? Well, it's not just one.
Williams's favorite operas include "Carmen," "Madame Butterfly" and "The Magic Flute." Opera Carolina will perform "Carmen" and "The Magic Flute" during its upcoming season.
- She recommends "Carmen" as someone's first opera.
- "You already know some of the music, even if you don't realize it," she says.
- Her other tips for first-timers: be prepared for a long show and wear what's comfortable to you. If that's a ballgown or a tuxedo, wear that.
What's next: Opera Carolina's 75th season begins with renowned Italian singer Andrea Bocelli performing a benefit concert at Belk Theater on Oct. 30.