Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts 
Welcomes New Executive Director, 
Aren Der Hacopian

Der Hacopian joins the organization on September 1, 2026, offering a vision of engagement, collaboration and growth

After a nationwide search, the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts (CMF & CMA) Board of Directors announces the appointment of Aren Der Hacopian as the organization’s new Executive Director. Der Hacopian joins CMF & CMA as a senior arts executive with more than 20 years of experience advancing cultural organizations at the intersection of performance, education and community engagement.

“After an extensive national search, we are delighted to welcome Aren as the new executive director of the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts. In addition to his experience with one of the nation’s leading performing arts groups, Aren brings a true passion for classical music and music education,” said Board President Jim Heeter. “We look forward to his leadership in continuing the excellence of our internationally-acclaimed Colorado Music Festival and to building even greater success for the Center for Musical Arts’ outstanding community music education programs."

Music Director Peter Oundjian said, “Over the past 20 years, Aren has worked closely with artists and artistic leadership to translate vision into high-impact results. With his background in building relationships with musicians, donors and community partners, I look forward to our collaboration."

"The opportunity to lead an organization where world-class performance and deeply rooted music education coexist is particularly compelling to me. This integrated model reflects how I believe musical institutions create lasting impact by connecting artistic excellence with lifelong learning and meaningful community engagement,” said Der Hacopian.

Aren Der Hacopian has held leadership positions at the Seattle Opera since 2010.  He was responsible for artistic administration, production planning, workforce leadership and financial oversight across major institutional programs and productions. Prior to his director roles, he managed the Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program starting in 2007. From 2006-07, he supported the launch and operations of Los Angeles Opera’s Domingo Thornton Young Artists Program. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from California State University, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in voice and opera from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Der Hacopian begins work with the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts on September 1, 2026, following Elizabeth McGuire, who has led the organization since 2016. He will be moving to the Boulder area with his husband and two toy poodles. His interests include mentoring young artists and gardening.