Curt Olds
General Director
With international experience in both classical music and musical theatre, Curt has built an impressive career specializing in these two distinct art forms. He is an important producer and advisor to organizations interested in combining operatic, symphonic, and theatrical elements into newer innovative programming options. He curates events and concerts for companies across the globe, and as an experienced talent manager, helps in bringing world-class performers to international stages. Additionally, he leads
workshops in personal artistic development and is a sought-after consultant for production companies, universities, young artist programs, and individual performers. Curt is the founder of Black-Tie Broadway, a new company which develops cutting edge programming for audiences looking to experience a mix of both classic and contemporary repertoire of musical theatre. BTBalso works with international organizations to bring artists from around the world together. Additionally, BTBbrings new programming and adapted musicals to symphonic concert stages. Go to blacktiebroadway.com for more information.
Curt branched out as a producer/manager following a Fellowship in Arts Management with the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the DeVos Institute’s Professional Development Program in partnership with the Kennedy Center. This led to his tenure as Vice President of Concerts and Special Projects with ADA Artist Management overseeing 70 artists. During his time with ADA, he created ADA Ovations, an interior programming branch of the company. Curt has also developed and directed programming in coordination with UIA Talent Agency, bringing his adapted concerts to the stages of Milwaukee Symphony, Raleigh Symphony, and Utah Symphony.
As a sought-after performer, Curt has been seen with opera and musical theatre companies across the U.S. and has performed on Broadway, at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he has been seen in concert with over 40 symphony orchestras. As a voice-over artist, he has recorded commercials and promotional materials for clients including Planet Hollywood Casinos, Books Beyond Pages, Ethan Allen Furniture, and the syndicated PBS feature Northwest Explorer. Curt recently appeared as Monsieur Andre in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. He has also been seen on Broadway in Riverdance, Cats,at Carnegie Hall in Guys & Dolls with Nathan Lane and Meagan Mullally, and at Lincoln Center in Hal Prince’s Candide with NYCO.
Curt holds a master’s degree in Vocal Performance/Opera from Boston’s New England Conservatory and an undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Montana. He resides in New York City and is a proud Montana native.
Shirley Leiphon
Relationship Director
Shirley Leiphon joined Fargo-Moorhead Opera as Relationship Director in September 2015. Prior to that, Shirley most recently lived in Boston, MA where she held the position of Administrative Director for the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) for 8 years and Associate Director for the Preparatory School at New England Conservatory for 2 years. Originally from Devils Lake, ND, she received her undergraduate degree from North Dakota State University in Music Education (Voice and Piano emphasis) and taught at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, ND before relocating to Boston to pursue her MM degree in Vocal Performance at Boston University. She also worked on her DMA in Voice at the University of MN – Twin Cities.
While in Minneapolis/St.Paul she taught at Apple Valley High as well as sang professionally with Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Minnesota Chorale. Her vocal career also included solo performances with various regional, national & international orchestras & ensembles including: Venezuela Youth Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival, Norman Luboff Singers, Masterworks Chorale, Dallas Symphony Baroque Festival and several appearances as soloist at the NDSU Baroque Festival.
Along with her work at FM Opera, Shirley also serves on the voice faculty of Concordia College as an adjunct professor of private voice.
Zeapoe Matalda
Office Manager
Zeapoe Matalda is thrilled to join Fargo Moorhead Opera as the Office Manager. Zeapoe earned a BA in Music Composition from Seattle Pacific University in 2016 and has worked with non-profit arts organizations such as Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, The 5th Ave Theater, Seattle Children’s Theater, and Taproot Theater. Zeapoe looks forward to learning more about the arts community in Fargo Moorhead and helping FM Opera to continue growing its audience base.