General Director and CEO
Deborah Sandler Kemper became General Director and CEO of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in 2012. Named one of the top thirty music professionals by Musical America in 2022, she is recognized throughout the opera industry for her strong commitment to artistic excellence, company growth, and fostering deeper community connections.
Before joining Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Sandler Kemper served as General Director of Kentucky Opera, where she earned acclaim for productions of exceptional artistic quality. Under her leadership, the company implemented a strategic plan that expanded its audience, strengthened financial stability, and broadened its educational and outreach initiatives. She established a young artist training program and developed innovative educational offerings that introduced opera to young audiences through the use of puppetry. Known for assembling well-balanced casts and recognizing emerging talent, Sandler Kemper was the first General Director to cast a young Joyce DiDonato as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, early in the now-celebrated mezzo-soprano's career.
Sandler Kemper began her career as General Manager of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and later became General Director of Opera Theatre of New Jersey, where she oversaw both artistic and administrative operations. In New Jersey, she was recognized for elevating the company's artistic standards, expanding its capacity, and cultivating community awareness through innovative artistic initiatives and dynamic education programs. During her tenure, the company's budget tripled, reflecting her effective leadership and visionary programming.
A dedicated advocate for the advancement of women in opera, Sandler Kemper helped catalyze the first field-wide discussion on women's leadership in opera, hosted by OPERA America in 2015 in Washington, D.C. She went on to serve as the founding chair of OPERA America's Women's Opera Network, continuing to mentor and convene women across the industry to expand their leadership opportunities.
With a distinguished record of leadership in the arts and her ongoing commitment to advancing opera both locally and nationally, Sandler Kemper was inducted into the Recording Academy in 2025 and served as Executive Producer for Lyric Opera’s landmark, GRAMMY®-nominated recording of The Shining, released on the Pentatone label in 2024.
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sandler Kemper earned a bachelor's degree in music from Temple University and a Master of Arts in Musicology from New York University, where she also completed her doctoral coursework. She has pursued additional studies at the Mandel Center for Nonprofits at Case Western Reserve University and at the Fundraising School at Indiana University.
