NEW ROCHELLE, NY (September 25, 2025) — The New Rochelle Opera has named Maestro Jason C. Tramm as its new General and Artistic Director, ushering in a new era for the celebrated company, officials announced Wednesday.
Tramm, a seasoned conductor, educator, and arts leader, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Currently, he serves as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of MidAtlantic Artistic Productions, where he made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2015, Executive Director of Light Opera of New Jersey, Music Director of the Taghkanic Chorale, Music Director of the Putnam Chorale, and now General and Artistic Director of New Rochelle Opera. From 2008 to 2012, he was Artistic Director of the New Jersey State Opera, collaborating with renowned opera voices such as Samuel Ramey, Vladimir Galouzine, Angela Brown, Gregg Baker, and Paul Plishka.
His 2009 HDTV broadcast of “Verdi Requiem: Live from Ocean Grove” with PBS affiliate NJN earned an Emmy Award nomination.
Renowned for his dynamic conducting and dedication to broadening opera’s appeal, Tramm has led acclaimed performances in the United States and internationally, including in Italy, Romania, Hungary, and Albania.
His 2024-2025 season includes engagements with Teatro Lirico D’Europa in Florida, South Carolina, and New Jersey, White Rose Classical Concerts in York, Pennsylvania, the Washington Opera Society in Washington, D.C., the Summer Stars Classical Concert Series in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and the New Voice Festival in Rome, Italy.
“New Rochelle Opera has always been a vital cultural treasure for our community,” Tramm said. “I am honored to lead this company into its next era, and I look forward to building on its rich legacy by presenting inspiring productions that resonate with both longtime opera lovers and new audiences alike.”
Tramm is entering his 20th season as Director of Music in Residence at the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, where he leads choral, orchestral, and oratorio performances in the historic 6,500-seat Great Auditorium. He oversees the Ocean Grove Choir Festival, a beloved event in its 64th year attended by thousands, and has appeared on two National Public Radio broadcasts with organ virtuoso Gordon Turk and a symphonic orchestra.
An accomplished educator, Tramm serves as an Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Seton Hall University, leading the University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Orchestra, and conducting program. In 2017, he was awarded Seton Hall’s University Faculty Teacher of the Year. He holds degrees from the Crane School, the Hartt School, and a DMA in Conducting from Rutgers University, where he received the Presidential Fellowship. In 2003, he was honored with the Rising Star Award from the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, joining the ranks of Metropolitan Opera stars Renee Fleming and Stephanie Blythe.
Tramm, alongside his son Quinton, a videographer and producer, founded Music Matters with Jason Tramm, a musical culture podcast with over 300,000 YouTube views. Launched two years ago, the podcast has featured over 300 interviews with distinguished artists and innovators across genres, focusing on artistic creativity and self-discovery.
Founded in 1985 by Camille Coppola and Billie Tucker, the New Rochelle Opera has earned a reputation for artistic excellence and community engagement through high-quality productions and educational outreach.
Coppola, the Founding Artistic Director, reflected on the company’s impact: “As the Founding Artistic Director for more than 40 years, it has been extremely fulfilling to work with so many talented singers, with more than 30 going on to internationally acclaimed careers in the opera world. I look forward to working with New Rochelle Opera and Maestro Tramm to continue to provide those opportunities for the next generation of artists.”
The public is invited to a Meet and Greet with Tramm on Sunday, October 25, at 3:00 p.m. at Asbury Crestwood United Methodist Church, located at 167 Scarsdale Rd, Tuckahoe, NY. Tramm will discuss the upcoming season and his vision for the company. The event, which includes light refreshments and musical entertainment, is free, with reservations available at www.nropera.org.
For more details on New Rochelle Opera and its upcoming productions, visit www.nropera.org.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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