LAUREN YOKABASKAS brings a broad range of experience in arts administration and is excited to be joining ChoralArt as its new Administrative Director.

Lauren joins ChoralArt following three years as the General Director of Opera in the Pines, an alternative opera company committed to reinventing the opera experience in Maine. Since co-founding the company in 2021, she has led the organization in three sold-out seasonal productions, responsible for all aspects of artistic administration, including development, fundraising, and marketing.

Recognized as one of “40 under 40” outstanding young leaders by Mainebiz: NextUp, Lauren also serves as Scheduling Manager for The Glimmerglass Festival, New York State’s second largest opera company behind The Metropolitan Opera, overseeing artistic scheduling for over 350 employees during their summer season. Previously, she worked with Palm Beach Opera as Artistic and Production Assistant and Music Academy of the West as Artistic Coordinator of the Lehrer Vocal Institute.

Lauren began her career as an opera singer, earning an MM and Performance Diploma from Mannes: The New School for Music and a BM from SUNY Purchase College. Praised for “a melting voice and youthful radiance” by The New York Times and “tonal sheen, impressive accuracy and remarkable dynamic control” by Opera News, she performed most notably with Wichita Grand Opera, Portland Opera, and The Chautauqua Opera Company, among others.

Originally from Cape Elizabeth, Lauren grew up in the local choral music tradition, as a long-time member of Musica de Filia Girl Choir and University of Southern Maine Choral Academy.