Cristen Gregory joins the team at the Lancaster Opera House as Executive Director with a wealth of knowledge and experience from the perspective of both performer and administrator. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Cristen has lived in the Western New York area since 1996. She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto, and a Masters of Business Administration from Medaille College, Buffalo. Her performing career has taken her all over the world including the Aldeburgh Festival in England, concerts with the English Chamber Orchestra, recitals in England and France, the International Opera Festival in Bermuda, orchestral performances of Oratorio, Concert Pops and Opera across Canada and the United States, as well leading operatic roles worldwide. Among the many awards and recognition Cristen has won for her singing are the Puccini Foundation Award, the Jean Chalmers Award, the International Festival de Loire Atlantique, France, and the Opera Award of New York.  She has a great deal of experience in children’s programming having toured many productions, and was named the 2004 Educator of the Year for the show she created entitled Opera Over Easy, an introduction to the world of opera for all ages.

Cristen has been the executive director of the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony, and the business administrator for the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus; she has a real estate license, and created a consulting company called Rent-A-Consultant. She is member of the theatre department faculty at Niagara University and is listed in the Canadian Who’s Who for her cultural contributions. Cristen serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Arts Council of Chautauqua County.  She is married to the internationally acclaimed cellist and conductor, Bryan Eckenrode.

David Fillenwarth, Administrative Director - A native Western New Yorker, Dave joined the Lancaster Opera House as the Box Office Manager in 2001. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelors degree in Communication.
 
His career in the theater and the entertainment field started in 1986 as a manager for General Cinemas. While employed in the movie industry, Dave won numerous national awards promoting movies for Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox. His appreciation for the live arts developed in the mid 1990's as a manager and promoter of local music. His career path landed him as the Director of Ticketing and Marketing for Majestic Theater (Melody Fair), Promotional Director for Media Play, and a stint back in the movie business as a manager for Regal Theaters.
 
When not at the Lancaster Opera House, you can find Dave enjoying life with his wife and 2 daughters......and on the golf course, when they allow it.

Deb Wahl, bookkeeper, has been enjoying her position at the Opera House for the past 5 years. She has accounting experience with other non-for-profit organizations in the area, as well as the private sector, and manufacturing industry.

Alanna Pohl Hughes, House Manager – joined the staff in January of 1998 as House Manager bringing with her a background in award-winning Volunteer Management and customer service as well as experience in non-profit administration. Alanna holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Arts Management/Non-Profit Management and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Media Communications, both from Medaille College in Buffalo. Alanna is currently employed by day as the Assistant to the Director of Service Coordination for Aspire of WNY.  Prior to joining Aspire, she was with the Kenan Center in Lockport as the Events, Programs and Volunteer Manager.  As part of her duties with the Kenan Center, she acted as Managing Director of the Taylor Theater.  She spent 15 years as the Manager/Volunteer Coordinator for the award-winning Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. She is a member of the Volunteer Administrators of WNY (VAWNY).  Alanna has served on the Board of Directors for the Medaille College Alumni Association, including holding numerous offices, and the Board of Directors for the Never Stop Learning Program.