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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2025
PRESS CONTACT: Scott Arens, Director of Advancement

Indianola, IA—Des Moines Metro Opera’s Linda Koehn General & Artistic Director, Michael Egel, announced today the appointment of Scott Arens as Director of Advancement. Arens brings over a decade of experience with Des Moines Metro Opera as both an administrator and a musician. Most recently, he has served as the company’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations since September 2017.

"Fostering career growth and development for talented individuals is a key strategic priority for Des Moines Metro Opera, both on and off the stage," said Egel. "In his 10 years at the organization, Scott has distinguished himself as a professional and a leader whose instincts, dedication and hard work have produced record-breaking results in the marketing department at a time when many arts organizations are experiencing just the opposite. In his new role, he will oversee external activities of the company including marketing, fund-raising and guest services. I know Scott and his team will bring the same rigor, quality of work and high-level thinking to our fund-raising efforts. It is a thrill to see him advance in the company."

Arens got his start at Des Moines Metro Opera in 2014 as the music director and pianist for the organization’s OPERA Iowa Educational Touring Troupe, serving in this role for three years. During that time, Arens travelled over 18,000 miles across the state with the OPERA Iowa artists to present music education workshops and opera performances for elementary schools and communities. All told, he played 136 performances of The Billy Goats Gruff, 74 performances of The Three Little Pigs, 33 performances of Cinderella, 17 aria concerts, 16 high-school masterclasses and 8 performances of The Elixir of Love. In 2016, Arens joined the full-time staff as Marketing and Campaign Coordinator, assisting the marketing department and fundraising efforts surrounding the renovation and expansion of the company’s administrative headquarters, the Lauridsen Opera Center. In 2017, he was promoted into the role of Director of Marketing and Public Relations. During his tenure, Des Moines Metro Opera has experienced record-setting ticket sales, leading to sold-out festival seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and has been reviewed in prominent national publications, including The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and several international opera publications.

About Des Moines Metro Opera
Lauded by The New Yorker as “one of America’s boldest smaller companies,” Des Moines Metro Opera is a progressive opera company located in the heart of Iowa that has taken its place as one of the world’s leading opera festivals. Founded in 1973, it’s one of the largest performing arts organizations in Iowa, annually producing over 100 performances in the metro area and across the region. In 2024, Des Moines Metro Opera was the only American company selected as a finalist in the Festival of the Year category at the International Opera Awards.

The 2025 Festival Season runs June 27 – July 20 and includes the long-awaited return of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, a new production of Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen and a new production of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. Season subscriptions and individual ticket reservations are currently available for purchase online at dmmo.org/tickets or by calling the Box Office at (515) 209-3257.

Learn more about Des Moines Metro Opera.

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