K. James McDowell
Executive Director and Producer
Texas native K. James McDowell attended Furman University as a chemistry major before beginning his musical career as an apprentice with Santa Fe Opera. He then began his formal musical education at The Curtis Institute of Music, and later attended The Academy of Vocal Arts, where he performed numerous baritone roles, including Papageno in The Magic Flute, Junius in The Rape of Lucretia, and Sharpless in Madama Butterfly. In addition, he sang Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos and Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte when the AVA Opera Theatre performed at The International Corfu Festival in Greece. Other roles include Germont in La traviata and Escamillo in Carmen.
In 1985, Mr. McDowell began work on a master of business administration in management and finance at Temple University and joined AVA as the director of public relations. One year later, AVA's board of directors appointed him to the position of executive director. Under his exceptional guidance and direction, AVA has further developed its fine reputation as a training and performing arts institution noted for both its artistic excellence and financial stability.
While at the helm of AVA, Mr. McDowell maintains a busy schedule of opera, recital, and oratorio appearances throughout the Delaware Valley. He made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut in De Falla's La Vida Breve, and performed Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn in Philadelphia's Art Song Series. He has been featured with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia as well as 1807 & Friends, and continues to schedule duet recitals with his wife, mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis.
