Opera Academy Singapore names new director of marketing communications

The Opera Academy Singapore has appointed Jon Tan as its new director of marketing communications. 

In his new role, Tan will oversee integrated marketing, institutional communications, long-term brand strategy, and audience growth through digital pathways. He will also spearhead the development of the Academy’s Chinese Opera portfolio from curriculum and programme design to talent pathways and corporate collaborations.

This is part of a long-term roadmap to develop a multi-operatic ecosystem that mirrors Singapore’s diversity and positions the academy for the next wave of cultural innovation, Tan told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. 

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The appointment carries a personal resonance for Tan whose grandparents were early troupe members of the Chit Hoot Teochew Opera Company in the 1950s. “Discovering that my grandparents had performed with one of Singapore’s early Teochew opera troupes reminded me that tradition and innovation do not sit on opposite ends of a spectrum; they can fuel each other,” he said.

Tan brings years of experience in branding and communications, with prior collaborations with the academy’s founders dating back to the mid-2000s through creative start-ups and national community programmes at the Singapore Sports Council. “The shared history, trust, and clarity built over two decades gives us the momentum to build something meaningful for the next generation,” he added.

In his previous roles, Tan was senior vice president, brand, communication and partnerships at OrangeTee, marketing team lead at Far East Organisation and senior vice president, corporate communications at ERA Singapore among others. 

“Stepping into this role marks both a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey. At Opera Academy, we have the opportunity to bring Asian operatic arts into a new era, shaped by technology, fresh storytelling, and an inclusive spirit," Tan said. 

Looking ahead, Tan will lead the launch of the Asian Operatic Museum, an ambitious project in partnership with SCAVAI Alliance, blending immersive storytelling, AR, VR, and interactive media to reimagine Singapore’s Five Kings and regional legends. The academy will also continue community-level engagement campaigns, youth programmes, and collaborations with orchestral and cultural institutions.

Opera Academy has built a track record of engaging the community and reviving traditional operatic art forms. Its Malay Bangsawan programmes have proven especially successful, and past initiatives include the Singapore Bangsawan Festival, a multi-day festival featuring performances, workshops, and digital exhibitions that bring traditional opera to modern audiences across community venues.

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