Aaron Beck

Aaron Beck joined the team at Tulsa Opera, the twelfth-oldest opera company in the United States, in 2010, and was appointed Artistic Director in 2022. 

As Artistic Director, Beck oversees the extensive artistic programs of the company, which include three annual mainstage productions, the Filstrup Resident Artist Program, the Tulsa Opera Orchestra, the Tulsa Opera Chorus, Tulsa Opera Signature Chorale, and Tulsa Youth Opera, and collaborates on dozens of annual outreach performances. As a native of southwest Missouri and an adopted Tulsan, Beck affirms a revitalized commitment to both local and international artists, bringing the best of both worlds together in Tulsa’s premiere performing arts organization.

The son of music teachers, Beck feels a strong commitment to the education of those students who will create the future of music. Under his leadership, Tulsa Opera’s education programs have grown to reach thousands of students and teachers annually across Oklahoma and the surrounding region. Beck is Music Director of Tulsa Youth Opera, Tulsa Opera’s prestigious vocal music training program for students in grades 3-12. Over forty Tulsa-area students receive free training through this program. Under Beck’s baton, Tulsa Youth Opera students have presented productions ranging from Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors to Dean Burry’s The Hobbit. Additionally, in 2017-2018, Beck spearheaded the development of Tulsa Opera’s Raise Your Voice program (now the Raise Your Voice Tour), bringing vocal music to disadvantaged schools throughout Oklahoma.

Beck received his Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music (with additional studies at the Eastman School of Music) and a Master of Music in Opera Coaching from Florida State University. As a pianist and music director, he has performed across the country, and is in demand as a vocal coach to opera and musical theatre singers. He lives in northeast Oklahoma with his wife and two children.