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Ryan Marchand is smiling and wearing a gray sweater

Ryan Marchand
Interim Director, Department of Diversity, Equity and Community

Ryan Marchand is an actor, stage director and theatremaker. He is experienced in new work development, devised theatre and traditional Japanese Noh and Kyogen theatre. Marchand works with inner city youth facilitating a range of culturally responsive capacities. He has also worked extensively with leading Bay Area tech, finance, and governmental institutions in workforce development. Marchand is a fervent believer in, and witness to the transformative power of the arts, and he is able to leverage all of his skills and talents in his work at San Francisco Opera.

Cole Thomason-Redus has a beard and wearing glasses with a black shirt and brown jacket

Cole Thomason-Redus
Educational Content Curator

Fifth-generation San Franciscan, educator, conductor and composer, Cole Thomason-Redus, serves as a Program Manager for the company's Department of Diversity, Equity & Community. As a member of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, he performed in sixteen productions with the company between 1987-1994 and went on to train boy choirs for numerous SFO productions. His diverse credentials include Director of Education for the renowned vocal ensemble, Chanticleer, Curator of Classical Music for Apple, Inc., Classical Music Analyst for the Music Genome Project at Pandora Media, Inc., and over two decades of teaching for schools and organizations throughout the Bay Area.

Chelbi Harvin-Dickens
Community Engagement Manager

Chelbi (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist with a background in dance, theatre, and music. They are dedicated to arts education and have worked within academic and artistic institutions in Washington D.C., New York, and California. Chelbi specializes in bold ideas that elicit the implementation and expansion of DEI initiatives. In their work, Chelbi focuses intently on devising creative ways to build safe, affirming space for marginalized communities, with particular emphasis on intersectionality, social justice, and reform. Chelbi is driven by the belief in artistic storytelling as the most powerful form of communication, education, and expression. Chelbi’s mission is to illuminate ways for institutions to reflect, respect, and collaborate with the communities that they serve and expand community access to institutional resources. Beyond their professional work, they have an intense love of reading, writing, photography, film, fashion, and painting. 

Meet Our Current Scholars in Residence

 

Our work would not be possible without the continued dedication and support from our DEC Facilitators. We express our sincere gratitude for their work.

  • Jordan Amann, General Director's Associate
  • Michael Bragg, Marketing Manager, Digital Content
  • Maude Engström, Legacy Giving Associate
  • Farrah Hammond, Marketing Manager, Engagement and Partnerships
  • Devin Hinzo, Artistic Operations & Technology Coordinator
  • Ellen Presley, Special Projects Manager
  • Joanna Taber, Associate Director, Campaigns and Sponsorships

Contact Us

We are always here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us:

DEC@sfopera.com

415-551-6296

Diversity, Equity and Community Suggestion Form

Diversity, Equity and Community PProject Request Form