October 13, 2022
Chris Cox, Director of Marketing and Communications
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Pittsburgh Opera is proud to announce that Jonnet Solomon has joined its Board of Directors.
Jonnet Solomon. Photo by Diondre Johnson.
Ms. Solomon is the Executive Director and a founding member of National Opera House (NOH), a nonprofit organization working to restore and maintain the historic headquarters of the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC), the first African-American opera company in the United States.
The NNOC was founded in Pittsburgh by Mary Cardwell Dawson in 1941 and operated until her death in 1962. The NNOC headquarters building, located in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2020 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, and is the subject of a massive rehabilitation effort.
“Jonnet joining our Board further solidifies the partnership between Pittsburgh Opera and National Opera House,” says Pittsburgh Opera Board Chair Michele Fabrizi.
The partnership includes developing curricula and programming in music education, artistic development, and community engagement. These curricula and programming will take place throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area, including at Pittsburgh Opera’s Headquarters the Bitz Opera Factory and at the NNOC House as various stages of renovation are completed, and beyond.
“Being on the Board of Pittsburgh Opera helps fulfill Mary Cardwell Dawson’s mission, and will help enable continual close partnership between National Opera House and Pittsburgh Opera”, says Ms. Solomon. “Together, we will ensure that our shared programming and vision truly serve the needs of the entire community. I see this as a significant symbol of reconciliation.”
Jonnet has an accounting degree from Duquesne University and is the founder of JSA, LLC, an accounting firm focused on start-ups and small business accounting, consulting and advising. She is also an artist and has been performing and teaching for many years.
About National Opera House:
‘National Opera House’ or ‘NOH’ is a Nonprofit Organization with 501(c) (3) status, working to restore and maintain a historic home at 7101 Apple Street in Pittsburgh PA. The house rose to national significance in 1941, when Mary Cardwell Dawson, a celebrated musician and educator, rented the third floor of the house as an office and rehearsal space for the National Negro Opera Company, the first permanent African-American Opera company in the nation. The NOH also provides National Negro Opera Company™ programming. The NOH is supported through National Negro Opera House™ fundraising through donations and grants. To learn more about our mission and current project needs, email us at info@nationaloperahouse.org to see how you can get involved!
