Naama Zahavi-Ely

Naama was born and raised in Israel, and grew up listening to Classical music. She taught Biblical Hebrew at the College of William and Mary for years, while visiting Israel regularly. In 2006 Naama encountered Joan Dorneman’s International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI) in Tel Aviv, and from 2007 and on she was a regular audience member at the IVAI’s public events. In 2012 Naama founded Opera in Williamsburg, Virginia, as one more place where outstanding opera productions could take place. The company performs at the 410-seat Kimball Theatre. From the start, the company’s focus was on outstanding vocal and dramatic talent and on excellent conducting and directing. The company has produced two fully-staged Classical operas each year since 2012. Opera in Williamsburg also collaborates with the IACF to bring outstanding vocal talent from Israel to Williamsburg, Virginia, to perform side by side with USA artists. For details of Opera in Williamsburg please see www.operainwilliamsburg.org

In 2018 Naama chose the name “Opera ve-Zimra” (Opera and Singing) for activities in Israel. Currently she organizes concerts of Opera singing; she hopes eventually to create in Israel also outstanding chamber operas with full staging, with Israeli and international artists.

For details of Naama’s activities with Opera in Williamsburg (Virginia) please see here .