On Friday, February 28, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced to its members that formal union disciplinary charges were filed against opera singer Plácido Domingo. This came three days after the Union confirmed its investigation had concluded and had substantiated sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Domingo. “AGMA stands with the brave individuals who came forward and fought against the crisis of sexual harassment that greatly pervades our industries,” said Ray Menard, AGMA President, who filed the charges in his capacity as a member of AGMA. “Given the seriousness of the confirmed allegations, and the number of members who have been affected, I believe the right, and only thing to do at this stage is ... Read More -->

This afternoon, The New York Times published a piece titled “Disclosure of Plácido Domingo Allegations Scuttles $500,000 Deal.” AGMA seeks to clarify the misperceptions of this article and in recent reports by NPR: the anticipated fine, to our knowledge the largest to be imposed on a union member, was NOT in exchange for AGMA’s silence or to make any “secret deal.” The potential fine was part of a series of proposed measures to resolve potential internal union discipline which included: a lengthy suspension; mandatory training/coaching; and a sincere public apology.  In addition to offsetting AGMA’s legal fees incurred in the investigation, the fine was earmarked to support the Union’s ongoing efforts and new initia... Read More -->

NEW YORK CITY - On September 6, 2019, The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced the union had retained an independent investigator to examine allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination made by AGMA members against Plácido Domingo. The investigation concluded that Mr. Domingo had, in fact, engaged in ​inappropriate activity, ranging from flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside of the workplace. Many of the witnesses expressed fear of retaliation in the industry as their reason for not coming forward sooner. The AGMA Board of Governors has accepted the findings of the report and will take appropriate action.  “AGMA is the connective tissue of our industry. We owed it to our members to conduct... Read More -->

Via Playbill Zoe Caldwell, widely known for her work in Master Class and Medea, died on February 16 of complications due to Parkinson’s disease. She was 86 years old. Caldwell joined AGMA in 2004, when she was cast as a lead in the Los Angeles Opera presentation of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. She remained a member until her death. With Kristen Bell in A Little Night Music (2004) According to People Magazine, she moved from her home in Australia to London in 1959 to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. She began her American acting career as an original member of the company at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. Caldwell made her Broadway debut in 1965’s The Devils. She went on to appear in Tenn... Read More -->

On Tuesday, March 3, Lyric Opera Stage Artists (of Lyric Opera of Chicago) will host a benefit concert for Australian Bushfire Relief, with all proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Second Presbyterian Church, the benefit concert will feature AGMA members of the Lyric Opera Chorus; pianist Noah Lindquist; and Lyric Opera Chorus Master, Michael Black. Michael Black was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and was at Sydney Opera House for 13 years. Black returned to his home to see friends and family over Christmas. It was during that visit that he experienced the enormity of the bushfires. The 2019–20 Australian bushfire season started with several serious fires in June 2019.... Read More -->

After 22 seasons with the Colorado Ballet, Chandra Kuykendall, a Principle Dancer with the AGMA signatory company, will retire in April of this year. When taking into account her schooling, she has been with Colorado Ballet for 31 years. Chandra Kuykendall. Don Quixote in 2019. Photo by Mike Watson "My proudest time at Colorado Ballet is right now," stated Kuykendall said in a video via Colorado Ballet’s official YouTube account. "To a young dancer just starting their career, my advice would be to soak everything in; really learn what you can from your coaches and peers and enjoy every moment. While a rehearsal may go by very slow, the years go by very, very fast.” She is from Parker, Colorado and trained at the Academy of Col... Read More -->

Phyllis Brissenden, a founding supporter and Life Board Member of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), left the Company a record-shattering gift in the wake of her death. Brissenden, who died on Dec. 17, 2019 at 86 years old, bestowed the company an endowment gift, estimated at $45 million. Phyllis Brissenden and OTSL general director Andrew JorgensenPhoto: SUZY GORMAN "This gift, the largest in Opera Theatre's history and one of the largest ever recorded for an American opera company, will offer OTSL a new level of financial stability as the company prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2025," the AGMA signatory company said in a press release. According to the press release, Brissenden’s gift will more than double OTSL’s en... Read More -->

In honor of Black History Month, the latest from HuffPost explores the unique set of challenges that face dancers of color. AGMA ballet dancers Miranda Silveira, member of San Francisco Ballet, and Olivia Boisson, of the New York City Ballet, are interviewed in the article. They share why diversity and representation in the Industry matters to not only those currently dancing professionally, but the young people dreaming of being on stage one day.  “Feeling represented in what you do for a living is crucial,” Silveira told HuffPost. From Silveira's Instagram Account Silveira grew up in Barcelona, Spain. She moved to Madrid at 14 to pursue ballet at the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma. At just 16, she... Read More -->

Two of AGMA’s very own appear together on the stunning winter 2020 cover of Pointe Magazine. Catherine Hurlin, 24, and Aran Bell, 21, are both recently promoted soloists with American Ballet Theatre.  New York City-born Hurlin began her training at Scarsdale Ballet Studio and Westchester Dance Academy. She received a full scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. She attended American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) Summer Intensive as a National Training Scholar during the summers of 2010, 2011, and 2012. Hurlin joined ABT as an apprentice in December 2013 and the corps de ballet in June 2014.  She was promoted to Soloist in September 2018.  Bell was born in Maryland and wa... Read More -->

Flyers of American Airlines who find themselves flipping through its first and business class in-flight magazine this month will be able to get to know some of the top opera houses in America, all of which are AGMA signatory companies. The magazine, Celebrated Living, features Opera Philadelphia, Santa Fe Opera, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis on page 40 of its January/February issue. Written in honor of Opera America’s 50th anniversary, the three-page spread includes quotes from David Devan, Philadelphia’s general director and president; Robert Meya, Santa Fe’s general director; and Andrew Jorgensen, Saint Louis’ general director. Following the publication, AGMA reached out to the opera houses for further thoughts. Opera Ph... Read More -->