Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 6 - Champion

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 72 What is your role here at Lyric? I am in charge of the talent acquisition for all administrative positions, which includes full-time staff, part-time staff, and interns. I also assist with hiring for the front of house—ushers, bartenders, and coat checkers, for example. And I run the paid internship program, which is made possible by the generosity of the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Jim Alexander, co-trustees. I also onboard new hires. Essentially, I work with staff from the moment they apply for a position to the moment I send the offer and their first day. What was your path to working at Lyric? I’ve always known about Lyric. My grandparents were season ticket holders here. I played piano for my whole life, so when I saw the position posted, I thought, “Why don’t I throw my hat in the ring and see what happens?” I did the entire interview process while I was studying abroad in Florence, Italy, which is crazy, since Italy is the birthplace of opera. I got the offer in Florence, and after I returned to Chicago I started three weeks later. Can you describe your typical work day? I work on all positions in any phase they’re in. Something that a lot of people don’t know is that I sort through every candidate for each position. I read every resume, and then I work on the interviewing and the scheduling of the interview. While I’m working on that, I’m working on the onboarding process, which could be for any position. And I’m already working on positions for the next summer and fall seasons. It doesn’t sound like there is a typical day! I don’t necessarily have the same schedule every week. I also work on employee engagement; any time there’s an event hosted by the People & Culture department, it’s all hands on deck. A lot of my hours will coincide with the hours of the new hires and interns because I need to be there for their onboarding process. I like that my schedule changes. What do you love about your role at Lyric? Every interviewee asks me the same question. I love getting to know people from the moment they apply to seeing them a year in and seeing how much they’ve grown. It’s fun to give tours on the first day. Besides knowing all 120-plus people in the administrative department, I also know where they sit. I like to make sure that, on an employee’s first day, they feel really comfortable and welcome. What do you like about working in the arts? I enjoy being surrounded by art all the time, whether that’s hearing music on the speakers while sitting at my desk or going into the theater during a rehearsal. So many people here are artists themselves, whether they’re still practicing or not. I stopped playing piano competitively at 18, but being here has made me want to go back to it. Any time I see a piano here, I start to play. People of Lyric A behind-the-scenes conversation Hometown: Arlington Heights First opera you saw live: I took my father to see Tosca and, since I’m a pianist, the music means a lot to me. At the end of the first act, there’s this big chorus scene. It’s just so powerful—I got shivers! Music really fuels my passion for opera. Favorite Lyric production: West Side Story . It was the first time I got to see a dress rehearsal and, at some point, a song had to be restarted. The singer started over and it was so magical. I proceeded to see it four more times. Hobbies: I love to do yoga, and I love to travel. I’m also a foodie, so I like trying new restaurants. That’s one of the benefits of working in the People and Culture department—you get to choose what food is catered. Camilla Fernandez Talent Management Coordinator