Kostis Protopapas

Kostis Protopapas is an accomplished conductor and director with extensive experience in the opera industry. Currently serving as the Artistic and General Director at Opera Santa Barbara since July 2015, Kostis previously held the position of Artistic Director at Tulsa Opera from September 2001 to May 2016, where additional roles included Interim Executive Director and Associate Conductor and Chorus Master. Guest conducting engagements include work with El Paso Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Opera Columbus, and Des Moines Metro Opera, among others. Prior positions also feature assistant conductor roles at LA Opera, The Santa Fe Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Kostis holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Boston University and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.