Lauren Yokabaskas currently serves as Administrative Director of ChoralArt, Assistant Director of the Rehearsal Department at The Santa Fe Opera, and General Director of Opera in the Pines, the alternative opera company she co-founded in 2021. At Opera in the Pines, Lauren leads all aspects of artistic administration, development, fundraising, and marketing, guiding the company through five sold-out seasonal productions that have reimagined the opera experience for Maine communities.
Recognized as one of Mainebiz’s “40 under 40” outstanding young leaders, Lauren previously held key administrative and artistic roles at The Glimmerglass Festival, Palm Beach Opera, and the Music Academy of the West, managing scheduling, artist logistics, and production coordination, building a reputation for organizational excellence and creative problem-solving in the operatic field.
Lauren began her career as an opera singer, earning an MM and Performance Diploma from Mannes: The New School for Music and a BM from SUNY Purchase College. Praised for “a melting voice and youthful radiance” by The New York Times and “tonal sheen, impressive accuracy and remarkable dynamic control” by Opera News, she performed most notably with Wichita Grand Opera, Portland Opera, and The Chautauqua Opera Company, among others.
Originally from Cape Elizabeth, Lauren grew up in the local choral music tradition, as a long-time member of Musica de Filia Girl Choir and University of Southern Maine Choral Academy.