ERIC MARGIORE
President & Founder
President and Founder, New York native and Lincoln Center based, Eric Margiore, prides himself on a deep knowledge and understanding of the full throated vocal technique and style of the Golden Age Italian School, as well as a thorough comprehension and intense appreciation of the great singers of that same era. That histrionic understanding and passion for opera singing and classical music, inspires Eric's interest and talent in the developmental & entrepreneurial components of the business of music.
Eric has been singing at a top international level as a Leading Romantic Tenor, under the baton of many world class maestri at a multitude of prestigious international opera houses, and with top symphony orchestras; through which he has acquired a unique global perspective, and a notable fluency of skills, leading him to found and manage a suite of highly successful related ventures; as President of the internationally recognized non-profit Premiere Opera Foundation, that houses the Premiere Opera International Vocal Competition, which for the past few years has boasted some of the most esteemed operatic judging panels ever assembled (Ken Benson, Beatrice Benzi, Richard Bonynge, Barbara Frittoli, Catherine Malfitano, Jack Mastroianni, Aprile Millo, Eve Queler, Lenore Rosenberg, Neil Shicoff, and many other illustrious conoscenti), and as the Artistic Director of the Premiere Opera Vocal Arts Institute, in Trani, Italy which is fast becoming one of the most influential and important summer operatic training programs in the world.
Eric has been recognized by many prestigious music foundations, and holds degrees in Music, Classical Voice Performance, and Philosophy from New York University, as well as a Graduate Professional Studies Diploma in Opera Performance from the Mannes School of Music. Further, Eric has completed coursework for New York University’s School of Professional Studies, ‘Nonprofit Arts Management’ Diploma Certificate. The stratagem into developing an artists management firm is a natural progression, stemming from Eric's singing career, as well as the success of the Foundation, Vocal Competition, and Summer Program; through which the Premiere team is privy to discovering some of the top operatic talent in the world today, and with that, implementing a careful and precise method in procuring artists of the highest standard, that we wish to represent.
DAVID BLACKBURN
CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT
David Blackburn is one of the world’s premiere talent scouts and consultants for discovering operatic talent and making connections worldwide in all facets of the opera industry. With contacts at top international opera houses, festivals, agencies and other presenting organizations, and almost two decades of high-level international presence, few people in the opera business have a wider reach to connect the opera world and to help emerging artists with their careers.
David Blackburn founded and manages NYIOP, which scouts singers and organizes professional opera auditions around the world. Since its creation in 2002, the NYIOP Auditions have brought over 150 opera houses to hear singers in New York City, San Francisco, Beijing, Berlin, Bologna, Napoli and Vienna, and over 30 other cities internationally, on 5 continents.
Mr. Blackburn acts as an artistic consultant to a number of major opera houses and agencies worldwide on casting and collaborations at every level. In the past, he has served in the role of Director of Artistic Administration for the Palm Beach Opera and also as a Vice President for IMG Artists, opening their Berlin office. Since 2015, he also serves as the Chief Consultant to the Young Artist Studio at the Bolshoi Opera in Moscow and since 2019 he is the International Strategic Consultant for the Ibáñez-Atkinson Foundation in Santiago, Chile.
KIEANNA MCCLOUD
Brand manager
Kieanna McCloud is an aspiring opera singer, Art Director, Consultant, and Brand Therapist, Kieanna is keenly aware that blending business with artistry is an absolute must for creatives! Her passion lies in creating experiences in everything arts, entertainment, and media. Kieanna’s clients span across various industries, with artists, non-profits, and small businesses.
Since starting out as a freelance creative in 2008, Kieanna has spent over 12 years creating stories, collaborating, deep diving, and building brands with artists, organizations, and businesses large and small. Kieanna’s goal isn’t for clients to just exist within their industries. Her goal is to help clients tell their story. How does the brand sound? It’s tone of voice. What are its likes, aspirations? Why is it relevant? What does it mean? These are just a few of the questions that help her get to the heart of a brand’s story.
As Founder and Art Director of Aviena Sky, her methodology and combination of marketing, design, and transformative tactics have been used for million-dollar product launches, helping individuals discover their voice within their industries, and most importantly creating “The Experience,” a tailored transformation of a brand that creates a streamlined tone and personality that has value, relativity and identity.