In a few sentences, what does impact mean in the context of your work?
The human voice is a powerful and mysterious force. When we are born, our first act is to come alive with a sound— announcing our arrival and crying out to another who will sustain and protect us. So, it’s a very primal and fundamental force that lives within each of us. Opera is the art form that showcases the splendor and emotion of that force more than any other. Our purpose at HGO is to ensure that all Houstonians have access to profound experiences with the human voice. We are a bridge back to the magic and beauty of vocal expression, back to that primal part of all of us that responds to the naked sound emitted from another person. Our impact is connection, communion, vulnerability, virtuosity, beauty, passion, truth— the things all of us need more of, now more than ever.
What aspect of your work’s process do you focus on most day-to-day, and why?
I try to spend the bulk of my time building HGO’s capacity to welcome and inspire a new generation of constituents. How do we learn more about those who don’t engage with our programming? What’s important to them? What value could HGO provide to them? Implicit in this is my core function of identifying, engaging, and empowering the cohort of artists whose inimitable brilliance and vision has the power to expand our impact and secure a strong future for the company.
Is there an innovation, new initiative, or new approach that has impacted, enhanced, or otherwise expanded/improved your organization’s work in recent years?
I think classical music long suffers from being quite inwardly focused. It has been the practice of the field to preach to the initiated, rather than devote significant resources and efforts to engaging new audiences in a serious way. One thing that has been transformational for us at HGO is the creation of our Business Intelligence unit. This team established and maintains data governance standards; aggregates and analyzes our data to inform progress and business decisions; and measures HGO’s achievements against historical data, our internal goals, external benchmarks, and metrics from our peer organizations. Their work equips us with a new and valuable understanding of our customer motivations and behaviors, ensuring we’re creating programming that inspires our diverse community to engage with opera and with HGO.
How do you balance mission-driven work with the need for financial sustainability?
Everything is mission. To secure a donation is to invite someone who loves great art to make something extraordinary happen for other people. Those conversations are a joy. To sell a ticket or subscription is to communicate the value of an evening of profound music, and to see that value acknowledged by a member of our community. That transaction is mission in action. Whether it’s hiring, managing our endowment portfolio, engaging in strategic planning, or IT infrastructure, HGO’s mission is at the core of everything we do. The wide variety of work is what I love most about my job.
In what ways do you see the role of arts leaders transforming in the years ahead?
What we need more of: Adaptability. Optimism. Transparency. Humor. A collaborative approach.
What we need less of: Silos. Fear. Self-sacrifice. Colonialist thinking. Rosy retrospection.
About Khori Dastoor | General Director and CEO at the Houston Grand Opera
Khori Dastoor has served as the General Director and CEO of Houston Grand Opera since 2021. The fourth General Director in company history, Dastoor embodies an unwavering dedication to the transformative power of art and its role in ensuring civic vitality. Her leadership has steered HGO against prevailing industry trends, fostering unparalleled fiscal stability, audience growth, and programmatic expansion. With an ardent belief in accessibility, Dastoor has championed initiatives to ensure every member of Houston’s diverse international community has access to fine art and has expanded HGO’s programming to cater to multigenerational audiences and extend beyond the theater walls.
About Houston Grand Opera
The Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is an internationally acclaimed opera company known for its artistic excellence and diverse repertoire. Based in Houston, Texas, it presents classic masterpieces and groundbreaking new works, featuring world-class performers. HGO is committed to making opera accessible through education programs and community engagement. The company’s home, the Wortham Theater Center, provides a state-of-the-art venue for optimal acoustics and an immersive experience. With numerous awards and a rich history, HGO continues to enrich the cultural landscape of Houston and inspire audiences worldwide through exceptional performances and a dedication to education and community engagement.
