Meet James Kenon Mitchell, the new Director of Opera Theatre at the UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. On November 14 – 16, UT Opera Theatre will be performing its first opera performance under the direction of Mitchell with an Italian Double Feature: La cambiale di matrimonio and Amelia al ballo.
When James Kenon Mitchell was five years old, his first yearbook photo featured a half mask, already emulating the Phantom of the Opera. That early fascination set the stage for a lifelong passion.
“I fell in love with opera at a very young age,” Mitchell said. “I loved musical theater first, but then I saw a PBS broadcast of La Traviata when I was eight, and I was hooked.”
Mitchell’s early years were steeped in both American and European musical traditions. After growing up in Rochester, New York, his family moved to Germany when he was 12, immersing him in one of the world’s richest operatic cultures. “I could see three operas every night if I wanted to,” Mitchell said. “That experience really cemented my love for the art form.”
From Pianist to Director
Originally trained as a pianist, Mitchell earned his Bachelor of Music in music theory from the Eastman School of Music in 2009. He later received a Master of Music in collaborative piano and opera coaching from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2013 and a Master of Music in opera stage direction from Eastman in 2023.
While his studies focused on analysis and structure, it was behind the piano, accompanying rehearsals and watching directors’ work, that his creative path began to shift.
“I was a collaborative pianist, always sitting behind the piano, but I found myself getting drawn into the conversations about acting, plot and motivation,” Mitchell said. “A mentor of mine noticed that and encouraged me to explore directing.”
Several key mentors shaped that transition. Among them was Susan Ashbaker, then general director of Tri-Cities Opera in upstate New York, who offered Mitchell his first directing opportunity: a full production of Poulenc’s La Voix humaine (The Human Voice). “That really put me on the path to make directing my focus,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell also credits directors Steven Daigle at Eastman and the late Sandra Bernhard, who worked with Houston Grand Opera, for nurturing his artistic instincts and encouraging him to merge his analytical background with his theatrical curiosity.
Building a Career in Opera Education
Before joining the University of Tennessee, Mitchell spent six years at West Virginia University, where he served as assistant professor of voice and opera and head of opera theatre. He directed numerous full-scale productions and led WVU Opera on Wheels, an outreach program that brought live, accessible performances into local schools and community spaces.
Mitchell also previously taught as an adjunct professor of musical theater at the University of West Florida, where he directed productions of Brigadoon and A Christmas Carol.
I’ve always believed that opera should be part of everyday life, not something distant or intimidating. Outreach is how you grow the next generation of opera lovers.”
James Kenon Mitchell
Drawn to Knoxville
When the opportunity arose to join the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music as director of opera, James Mitchell said the decision was easy. “The faculty here was a big draw,” he said. “The voice faculty is incredibly strong, and the partnership between UT Opera and Knoxville Opera is unlike anything else in the country.”
Mitchell said he was also drawn to Knoxville itself, calling it vibrant, creative and full of potential. “There’s so much art happening here already,” he said. “And I love that it’s surrounded by mountains. I grew up near the Alps, so I feel right at home.”
That sense of place connects closely to his vision for UT Opera, which emphasizes accessibility, education, and community engagement. “At its best, an educational performance program should reflect the community it’s part of,” Mitchell said. “Opera brings together music, theater, design and movement, but at its heart, it’s about storytelling. I want our students to help bridge that connection between the art form and the community.”
A Season of Growth and Individuality at UT Opera
UT Opera Theatre enters a season of growth under James Mitchell with two productions at Knoxville’s historic Bijou Theatre. The fall 2025 Italian Double Feature, a cambiale di matrimonio and Amelia al ballo (Nov. 14–16), showcases comedic energy, while spring 2026’s The Cunning Little Vixen (April 24–26) explores themes of change and renewal. “Each production gives students a chance to grow and connect with the community,” Mitchell said.
That growth reflects Mitchell’s philosophy of individuality. “Every artist who comes into our program already has a toolbox,” Mitchell said. “My job is to help them find the tools that work best for them.” By emphasizing adaptability, UT Opera prepares students not just to perform but to contribute meaningfully to the cultural life around them. This approach is key to the program’s growth and the versatility of its students.
Looking Forward
As Mitchell looks ahead, he envisions UT Opera expanding its reach, both on campus and beyond.
“In the years to come, I’d love to see us doing even more productions and creating more opportunities for students to develop their own projects,” Mitchell said. “And I want us to continue building partnerships with Knoxville Opera, with local organizations and with the wider community.”
For Mitchell, the ultimate goal is simple: to make opera an integral, living part of Knoxville’s cultural landscape.
“I want audiences to see renewal,” Mitchell said. “Each season is just a snapshot of what our students are becoming. The real story is how their growth today will shape the music we all experience tomorrow.”
To learn more about UT Opera and upcoming performances visit: https://music.utk.edu/performances-and-events/opera/. Tickets for the November 14-16 performances are available for purchase on the Bijou Theatre website.