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Meet the Team

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Founder and Director

Bo Shimmin

Bo was raised on the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico and is an internationally acclaimed operatic tenor. He now resides in Tucson, Arizona with his partner, John, and their dog Masa!

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Principal Artist - Pianist

J. Cruise Berry

J. Cruise Berry (Chickasaw) is a composer, pianist, and educator from the Chickasaw Nation dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices through classical music, creative collaboration, language revitalization, and community engagement. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

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​https://www.jcruiseberry.com/

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NDN OPERA

About NDN Opera

NDN Opera is a Native-led touring opera initiative founded by Indigenous tenor Bo Shimmin (Pueblo of Acoma) to bring world-class vocal performance, music education, and meaningful cultural exchange to Indigenous communities and underserved audiences. Through performances, educational workshops, artist residencies, community collaborations, and the creation of new works, NDN Opera celebrates Indigenous voices while making opera more accessible, relevant, and inspiring.

The idea for NDN Opera grew from Bo's experiences touring rural Montanan communities with pianist and composer J. Cruise Berry (Chickasaw) as part of Opera Montana's Wheels of Harmony education program. Together, they shared performances, storytelling, and educational outreach with students across Montana, demonstrating the power of Indigenous artists leading conversations through classical music. Their collaborations on the 2025 tours reinforced a shared belief that Native communities deserve greater access to opera and opportunities to see themselves reflected on stage.

Building on that experience, Bo developed NDN Opera through the support of the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Music to Life Musician Changemaker Accelerator Academy. These programs helped refine the organization's mission, strengthen community partnerships, and create a sustainable touring model dedicated to uplifting Indigenous artists and expanding access to the performing arts.

Learn more:​

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