ANASTASIA INNISS
  • HOME
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • ON STAGE
  • OFF STAGE
  • DIARY

ANASTASIA INNISS
Current Residence - Ireland
+353 (0)83 0434121 | [email protected]

SUMMARY
Senior cultural executive and strategic leader with over 20 years of international experience directing complex, multi-disciplinary arts organisations and cultural programmes across Europe and beyond. Proven record of translating overarching cultural vision into operationally and financially sustainable programmes, building inclusive and accountable organisations from inception, and mobilising public and private partnerships at national and international levels. Deep expertise in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, the development of creative industries, and the integration of culture into sustainable development frameworks. Committed advocate for equity, access and the transformative power of culture as a global public good — with a strong track record in community-centred programming, anti-discriminatory practice, and international partnership development across Europe, the United States and beyond.


CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Leadership & Institutional Development  |  Cultural Policy & International Frameworks  |  Heritage Protection & Creative Industries  |  Large-Scale Programme & Festival Management  |  International Partnership Mobilisation  |  Change Management & Organisational Transformation  |  Equity, Diversity & Inclusion  |  Governance, Compliance & Board Reporting  | Financial Management & Public Funding  |  Educational & Community Outreach  |  High-level Representation & Advocacy  |  Digital Innovation & Hybrid Delivery


LEADERSHIP ROLES
Founder & Artistic Director  |  Nikolova-Wyma GbR, Berlin, Germany,  2018 – 2025
Accredited by the Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Europa & Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung. An internationally recognised classical music education and production organisation producing full-scale opera with orchestra, an international Lieder Festival, and a digital education platform serving artists from over 30 countries.
  • Provided overarching strategic direction and multi-year leadership for an internationally recognised cultural institution, balancing ambitious artistic programming with operational capacity, financial sustainability, and institutional accountability.
  • Led large-scale production of Wagner and Strauss operas with full orchestra and an international Lieder festival — ensuring high-quality end-to-end delivery: strategic planning, technical management, contracting, staffing, and artist welfare.
  • Built and managed complete operational infrastructure from inception: HR processes, contracting, payroll and tax compliance, cashflow planning, and management reporting — intentionally decoupling operations from founder dependency.
  • Secured and steered EU and local public funding; authored successful grant applications and delivered fully compliant monitoring and final reports to funders.
  • Recruited and led diverse, cross-functional international teams (faculty, orchestral musicians, technical, administrative, interns, volunteers), creating clear accountability structures and performance expectations.
  • Developed and embedded governance and compliance frameworks encompassing safeguarding, codes of conduct, equal pay, and EDI — and convened public-facing panels on discrimination in classical music, advancing anti-discriminatory practice across the sector.
  • Established and maintained extensive international professional networks and stakeholder relationships across Europe; represented the organisation publicly at national and international levels.
  • Led change management through COVID-19, transitioning to online delivery before implementing a sustainable, sector-leading hybrid model; achieved accreditation from two German federal government ministries.
  • Implemented long-term financial support initiatives for artists from marginalised and underrepresented communities, embedding equity at the core of organisational strategy.
  • Grew the organisation from zero and achieved a successful sale at an approximately 80,000% ROI — a testament to robust institutional infrastructure and sustainable operational design.
 
Executive Director  |  Lanzarote Opera Festival & Academy, Lanzarote, Spain, 2022 – 2024
The first initiative of its kind on the Canary Islands, co-founded in partnership with the Lanzarote Ensemble Orchestra and Centro Insular de Enseñanzas Musicales (CIEM), with financial support from Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo Lanzarote (CACT). Culminated in a 12-concert festival with orchestra at a UNESCO-protected venue.
  • Led the full lifecycle of a new international cultural festival and academy — from strategic conception through operational design, funding acquisition, and on-the-ground delivery.
  • Produced a 12-concert festival with orchestra at the UNESCO-protected Jameos del Agua Auditorium, overseeing end-to-end logistics, artist contracting, technical delivery, schedules, and participant welfare.
  • Built and managed annual and project budgets, accounting, and tax reporting; maintained rigorous financial controls and transparent stewardship reporting to institutional funders and partners.
  • Secured institutional partnerships with CIEM and the Lanzarote Ensemble Orchestra, and stewarded a grant from CACT — building collaborative frameworks aligned with UNESCO's cultural sustainability objectives.
  • Designed a curriculum and mentorship model supporting emerging artists through scholarships and wraparound professional development, directly aligning training outcomes with public programme delivery.
  • Recruited and led faculty, technical teams, and administration, implementing clear hiring, contracting, and fee negotiation processes.
 
EU Operations Leader  |  CS Music (USA, remote consultancy), Europe, 2022 – 2025
CS Music is the world's largest platform for vocal arts, publishing quarterly and monthly industry publications.
  • Planned and delivered industry panel auditions across Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom — coordinating multi-country logistics, assessors, and candidate communications to tight deadlines.
  • Built and managed a Europe-wide stakeholder network across opera houses, agencies, managers, festivals, and casting teams — strengthening partnerships and expanding the organisation's European reach.
  • Developed a 12-month strategic content plan to expand European audience engagement; produced editorial and industry intelligence through commissioned content and interviews.
  • Led selection and assessment processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and clear decision-making frameworks.
 
Founder & Artistic Director  |  Berlin Song Festival, Berlin, Germany, 2016 – 2019
Berlin's first art song festival to offer full-length concert programming, a fully-funded educational module for emerging artists, and a series of community events and outreach initiatives — funded entirely through private philanthropic support.
  • Conceived and delivered a new multi-genre music festival model integrating mainstage programming, structured talent development, and community engagement — placing culture as a driver of social cohesion and access.
  • Raised and managed private philanthropic funding; built lasting donor relationships and provided transparent budget oversight and stewardship.
  • Embedded structured mentorship pathways between internationally established and emerging artists, fostering intergenerational knowledge-sharing and professional development.
  • Led all festival operations including administration, staffing, production, and stakeholder communications — ensuring high-quality participant and audience experience.
 
Director of Educational Programs & Industry Auditions  |  The Opera Stage, Germany, UK, Sweden, 2015 – 2018
  • Designed and delivered cross-border classical music training programmes and industry auditions, aligning curricula and outputs with professional sector standards and expectations.
  • Built and managed programme budgets and supplier contracts; negotiated venues and faculty fees to achieve delivery within financial constraints.
  • Coordinated multi-country schedules and operational delivery, maintaining accuracy, risk awareness, and adherence to deadlines across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Established and expanded a network of contacts within EU theatres, agencies, managers, and casting personnel, contributing to the organisation's European strategic positioning.
 
EU Director of Content & Data  |  Gracenote (Nielsen), Germany, USA, 2011 – 2015
  • Led and scaled Gracenote's first European metadata acquisition team, delivering multilanguage data pipelines that supported regional product launches, compliance requirements, and faster time-to-market.
  • Fostered cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and talent development across Europe; collaborated with HR HQ to codify European HR policies.
  • Steered the European team through the Sony acquisition, contributing to leadership alignment and risk management during major organisational restructuring — demonstrating calm, effective change management at scale.
 
Executive Assistant to the Administrative Dean  |  Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA, 1999 – 2003
  • Managed senior leadership calendars, high-volume administration, and cross-departmental communications for the Administrative Dean; supported faculty HR training with the Registrar's Office.
  • Oversaw confidential records, database governance, expense reporting, and budget tracking; ensured audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

BOARD EXPERIENCE                                                                                                         
Advisory Board Member  |  Fresno Opera, California, USA, 2026 – Present
  • Provide strategic counsel to executive and artistic leadership on organisational growth, audience development, and financial sustainability.
  • Serve as ambassador for the company within civic, cultural, and philanthropic networks; enhance organisational visibility within and outside the industry.

PRODUCTION AND CASTING DIRECTION                                                                                                           
  • Nikolova-Wyma GbR — Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos; Strauss: Elektra; Wagner: Die Walküre; Wagner: Das Rheingold; Wagner: Die Walküre (multi-media film); Trans*Voices (digital masterclass series)
  • Deutscher Musikrat — The Folk Songs Project for soprano & steel drum (world premiere)
  • Die Etage Schule für Darstellende Künste — Robert Brown: The Last Five Years
  • Berliner Opernverein — Geboren Alma Schindler (world premiere)
  • Berliner Aids-Hilfe — AIDS Quilt Songbook, Berlin Edition (world premiere)​

SELECTED ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS                                                                                                                                          
  • Assistant Chair, Musical Theatre Department — Die Etage Schule für Darstellende Künste, Berlin, Germany, 2015–2019
  • Vocal Pedagogue — Private studios, Germany, USA, Spain, Ireland, and online, 2003–2025
  • Assistant, Head of Voice Department — Longy School of Music of Bard College, Cambridge, MA, US, 1999–2003
  • Assistant Stage Director & Costume Designer — Tufts University, Medford, MA, US, 2008–2009
  • Resident Artist — Central Florida Lyric Opera Young Artist Program, Orlando, FL, US 2003–2005

EDUCATION                                                                                                                                                             
  • BA in Vocal Pedagogy — Plovdiv Conservatory of the Arts, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (exp. 2026)
  • Undergraduate, Voice Performance (Janet Irving Award) — Longy School of Music of Bard College, Cambridge, MA, USA (1999–2003)
  • Percussion Studies in Contemporary Music — Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, USA (1998–1999)

LANGUAGES                                                                                                                                                             
English (Native)               German (Working Knowledge, A2)              Italian (Basic, A1)   
Bulgarian (Native)            Russian (Working Knowledge, A2)              Broad comprehension of Slavic language family

DIGITAL & TECHNICAL SKILLS                                                                                                                             
Productivity & Collaboration: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Mac & iOS, PC
Communications, Marketing & Platforms: Canva, Trello, Notion, Brevo, Mailchimp, Zoom, Web & E-commerce, Weebly, SquareOne, Wix
AI & Emerging Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

SOCIAL & DIGITAL CHANNELS                                                                                                                             
TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook & Meta Business Suite, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Discord

PERFORMANCE     (w) - World premiere, (e) - European premiere, (s) - staged
Staged Works                                                                                                                                                   
2025, BARBER: Knoxville Summer of 1915 (s), SOLOIST, Bürgersaal Zehlendorf, Zehlendorf, Germany
2022, BARTÓK: Bluebeard’s Castle, JUDITH, Grimeborn Opera Festival, London, United Kingdom                    
2021, LARSON: Try me, good King! (s), SOLOIST,  The Ballery Ensemble, Berlin, Germany, cancelled COV19
2018, DICKENS: A Christmas Carol, CAROLER, Berlin English Repertory Theatre, Berlin, Germany                 
2018, WAGNER: Das Rheingold, WOGLINDE, Berliner Wagner Gruppe, Berlin, Germany                           
2018, WAGNER, Lohengrin, ELSA, Berliner Wagner Gruppe, Berlin, Germany                           
2017, STRAUSS: Ariadne auf Naxos, ARIADNE, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh United Kingdom    
2017, MOZART: Don Giovanni, DONNA ANNA, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, United Kingdom   
2014, BRITTEN: Turn of the Screw, GOVERNESS, Opera Seria, Manchester, United Kingdom                           
2011, PERGOLESI: La serva padrona, SERPINA, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
2008, BIZET: Carmen, MICAËLA, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Orlando, FL, USA                     
2009, VERDI: La Traviata, VIOLETTA, Fine Arts Chorale & Orchestra, Waltham, MA, USA
2005, VERDI: La Traviata, VIOLETTA, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Orlando, FL, USA
2004, LEONCAVALLO: Pagliacci, NEDDA, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Orlando, FL, USA              
2004, BIZET: Carmen, MICAËLA, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Orlando, FL, USA          
2003, MOZART: Le Nozze di Figaro, CONTESSA, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Orlando, FL, USA
 
New Works & Premieres
2023, VARIOUS: The Folk Songs Project for soprano & steel drum (w), Deutscher Musikrat, Neue Start Kultur Grant, Germany
2020, VARIOUS: The Life of a Woman (w), DEUTSCHE FRAU, Goethe Institut Grant, Tour, Germany, UK, India, cancelled COV19
2019, MAHLER: 
Geboren Alma Schindler (s, w), ANNA VON MILDENBURG, Berliner Opern Verein, Berlin, Germany        
2018, VARIOUS: Multi-discipline: AIDS Quilt Songbook (s, w), SOLOIST  Berliner Aids-hilfe, Berlin, Germany  
2018, GALEANO: Pathologies Of The Image Installation (s, w), SOLOIST   Grimmuseum, Berlin, Germany                                        
2015, DJUPSTROM: hree Teasdale Songs (e), Specs On - International Music Festival, Berlin, Germany 
2015, ELLIS: One Act Multimedia Opera: Darling (w), DARLING, One of Us Foundation, London, United Kingdom                 
2013, AGHABABIAN: Songs of the Swallow (w), National Radio Emerging Artists Recording, Bulgaria        
2008, AGHABABIAN: Ernste Stunde: For  Soprano & Orchestra (w), Pickman Hall, Cambridge, MA, USA
2008, HENNING: Matthew’s Passion (w), SOLOIST, Tremont Street Cathedral, Boston, MA, USA
2009, GILLIGAN: Cabaret Songs (w), Pickman Hall, Cambridge, MA, USA
2005, SAWYER: Our President (w), CHAMBER MEMBER, Composers in Red Sneakers, Boston, MA, USA                    
 
Cantatas & Oratorios

2022, MOZART: Requiem, SOLOIST, Berliner Dom, Berlin, Germany
2020, FAURÉ: Requiem, SOLOIST, Solanim Ensemble, Tour Germany, cancelled COV19
2019, HÄNDEL: Messiah, SOLOIST, Brandenburgisches Orchester, Tour, Germany
2017, MOZART: Requiem, SOLOIST, Berliner Dom, Berlin, Germany
2016, BACH, J.S.: Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen, SOLOIST, Galerieforum am Meer, Berlin, Germany
2012, HÄNDEL: L'Allegro, il Pensieroso ed il Moderato, IL PENSIOROSO, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany                              
2012, MOZART: Requiem, SOLOIST, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
2011, PERGOLESI: Stabat Mater, SOLOIST, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
2011, MOZART:  Exsultate, jubilate, SOLOIST, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany                              
2011, BACH, J.S,: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, SOLOIST, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany                                 
2010, BACH, J.S.: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, SOLOIST, Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
2010, BACH, J.S.: Missa Brevis in A, SOLOIST, Fine Arts Chorale & Orchestra, Waltham, MA, USA              
2010, BACH, J.S.: Magnificat in D, SOLOIST, Fine Arts Chorale & Orchestra, Waltham, MA, USA
2010, MOZART: Requiem, SOLOIST, Fine Arts Chorale & Orchestra, Waltham, MA, USA
2009, BACH, J.S.: Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, SOLOIST, Old North Church Chorus & Orchestra, Boston, MA, USA
2007, BACH, J.S.: Weihnachtsoratorium, SOLOIST, Old North Church Chorus & Orchestra, Boston, MA, USA
2004, HÄNDEL: Messiah, SOLOIST, College Park Chamber Orchestra, Orlando, FL, USA
2004, DUBOIS: The Last Words of Christ, SOLOIST, College Park Chamber Orchestra, Orlando, FL, USA
 
Concert Work

2026, STRAUSS: Vier letzte Lieder, Lanzarote Ensemble Orchestra, Lanzarote, Spain
2026, VARIOUS: Harlots & Queens (s), a program of female living composers, Inniss-Filardo Duo, National Tour & Recording, Ireland

2024, LISZT: Tre Sonetti di Petrarca, Jameo del Agua, Lanzarote, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Spain
2024, VARIOUS: Rachmaninoff Songs, Jameo del Agua, Lanzarote, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Spain
2022, VARIOUS: Liederabend, Schwartzsche Villa, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Germany
2021, BERG: Sieben frühe Lieder (livestream), Studio Knutson, Steglitz, Germany
2021, VARIOUS: Save The Children Fundraiser (livestream), Studio Knutson, Steglitz, Germany
2021, VARIOUS: Liederabend, Bürgersaal Zehlendorf, Zehlendorf, Germany
2020, VARIOUS: CoronaCare Fundraiser Liederabend (livestream), Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin, Germany
2020, VARIOUS: Italian Madness, Studio Knutson, Berlin, Germany, cancelled COV19
2020, VARIOUS: Liederabend, Studio Knutson, Berlin, Germany, cancelled COV19
2019, VARIOUS: Italian Opera Gala, Scena Kameralna, Wroclaw, Polen
2019, MAHLER: Rückert Lieder, Berlin Song Festival, Berlin, Germany
2019, STRAUSS: Vier letzte Lieder, Berlin Song Festival, Berlin, Germany
2017, VERDI: Viva Verdi! Opera Gala, Scena Kameralna, Wroclaw, Polen
2017, GRIFFES: Three Poems of Fiona MacLeod, Music-At-Hill Concert Series, London, United Kingdom
2016, VERDI: Viva Verdi! Opera Gala TV Broadcast, Teatr Zdrojowy, Szczawnie-Zdroj, Poland
2016, STRAUSS: Vier letzte Lieder, Walbrook Music Trust, London, United Kingdom
2014, STRAUSS: Vier letzte Lieder, Music Festival Schloss Kirchberg an der Jagst, Germany
2014, VILLA-LOBOS: Bachianas Brasilieras No.5, Music Festival Schloss Kirchberg an der Jagst, Germany
2014, TAVENER: Akhmatova Songs, Chamber Music Festival, Basel & Fribourg, Switzerland 
2014, BERG: Sieben frühe Lieder, Music Festival Schloss Kirchberg an der Jagst, Germany
2014, SHOSTAKOVICH: 7 Romances on Alexander Blok Poems, Music Festival Schloss Kirchberg an der Jagst, Germany

GRANTS, AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2024, CACT Artist Grant, Centro de Arte, Cultura y Turismo, Lanzarote, Spain
2023, Dezentrale Kulturarbeit Grant, Reinickendorf Kunst, Berlin, Germany
2022, Neue Start Kultur Grant, Deutscher Musikrat, Germany
2021, Neue Start Kultur Grant, Deutscher Musikrat, Germany
2018, Scholarship Recipient under the tutelage of Angelika Kirchschlager, Meisterklassen Gutenstein, Gutenstein, Austria
2017, Scholarship Recipient under the tutelage of Angelika Kirchschlager, Meisterklassen Gutenstein, Gutenstein, Austria
2015, Scholarship Recipient, Crear Masterclass Residency, Scotland, United Kingdom

Memberships:
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
©Anastasia Inniss 2016-2026. All Rights Reserved.
  • HOME
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • ON STAGE
  • OFF STAGE
  • DIARY