The idea for Opera Atlantic emerged from our desire to create a space where more people in our communities could engage with opera and classical music. As a centuries-old art form, opera has struggled over the years to stay relevant in popular culture, in large part due to the enormous costs of producing traditionally extravagant shows and the lack of accessibility. Opera’s exclusivity has dwindled our audience to the urban 1%.

It is imperative, for the development of our industry and the world, that we continue to create culturally diverse and inclusive spaces where the beauty of the voice and the storytelling bridge gaps in the human connection. We believe that opera can be as relevant as ever if it is shared in an accessible, culturally-aware, and justice-minded way. Singers deserve to sing and grow and audiences deserve to hear them, regardless of where they come from.

That’s where we come in.

Opera Atlantic is dedicated to supporting and empowering young professionals in the North Jersey area by providing them with paid, professional performance opportunities that are enriching to both performers and audience members. We are committed to placing particular emphasis on including repertoire for dramatic and larger voices that are often overlooked in the early stages of a singer's career.  Additionally, we seek to foster a nurturing environment for emerging talents to explore and develop their skills and creativity within the opera industry. Our mission extends to enriching the North Jersey community and surrounding areas by delivering high-quality operatic and classical performances, while striving to expand accessibility and educational opportunities to all communities. Furthermore, we encourage industry networking in a healthy and innovation-driven space allowing young singers to connect and collaborate.

Enriching communities by harnessing the transformative power of opera, storytelling, and education while creating meaningful connections and inspiring lifelong appreciation for the art is our purpose.

Our Mission

Who we are


  • Executive Director, Founder

    Helena Waterous is a New Jersey and NYC–based operatic soprano, recitalist, voice teacher, pedagogue, and Executive Director of Opera Atlantic. As a performer, Helena has been praised for her rich, dramatic soprano voice and magnetic stage presence. She has sung across the United States and Europe in opera, oratorio, and recital, appearing recently with Berlin Dramatic Voices, Cali Opera, SAS Performing Arts, Chicago Summer Opera, the Brooklyn Telemann Chamber Society, the Trentino Music Festival, New York Lyric Opera, and Capitol Opera Albany. Some of her favorite roles include Madame Lidoine in Dialogues des Carmélites Chrysothemis/Die Aufseherin in Elektra Desdemona in Otello, Senta in Der fliegende Holländer, Poppea/Ottavia in L’incoronazione di Poppea and Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw. She made her German debut in August 2024 with Berlin Dramatic Voices in their production of Elektra and Lieder Festival. A versatile performer, Helena has also been featured in three feature film productions of operas with Brooklyn Teleman Society, L’incoronazione di Poppea (Ottavia), Orfeo ed Euridice (Euridice), and Hypolite et Aricie (Aricie).

    Helena is a passionate educator and teaches voice at Montclair State University as well as studio of private voice students. She has received an Artist Diploma from Montclair State University, an M.M. from Indiana University, and a B.M. from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. Helena also has extensive arts administration experience, completing internships with the Phoenicia Festival of the Voice and Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar, as well as holding an administrative assistantship at Montclair State University and serving as a board member of the Brooklyn Telemann Chamber Society.

  • Artistic Director, Founder

    Acclaimed for her luscious voice and "enviable top notes"- OperaWire, Puerto Rican soprano Clara Luz Iranzo has made her appearance in opera and concert work in Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. She has portrayed various operatic roles including Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites, Ilia in Idomeneo, Theresa Álvarez in Missy Mazzoli ́s The Listeners, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Buoso ́s Ghost (Michael Ching). In 2022, she made her company debut as Prima Maschera in Teatro Grattacielo’s production of Zandonai’s Giulietta e Romeo after making her appearance as a young artist in Houston Grand Opera’s prestigious Young Artists’ Vocal Academy. Additionally, she made her role debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni both at Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice and the Rhodes International Festival in Greece. Ms. Iranzo has been a young artist with Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy (2020-2022), Mannes Opera (2018-2021), and a studio artist at International Vocal Arts Institute in New York (2019), Savannah Voice Festival (2016) and Campamento de Canto Lírico (2016). She has collaborated with the Symphonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico, the Foundation of Zarzuela and Opereta of Puerto Rico, the Lyric Choral of Puerto Rico and the United Nations in numerous concerts and productions. A graduate from Mannes School of Music (B.M) and Montair State University (M.M), Clara Luz is currently pursuing her Artist Diploma  at Montclair State University under the tutelage of Beth Roberts  where she was named winner of the 2nd Annual Cali School of Music Vocal Scholarship Competition, awarding her a full scholarship for her graduate studies. Additionally, she was named winner of Montclair State University ́s Concerto Competition, winner of the Graduate in Opera Excellence Award, Finalist of the VanderLaan Prize at Opera Grand Rapids (2021), Third Place in the Zarzuela, Voz y Olé International Competition (2021), Finalist in Schmidt Vocal Arts Undergraduate Awards, Semi-Finalist in the Pasadena Vocal Competition (2022) and Carmerata Bardi ́s International Vocal Competition (2021) and is a Schmidt Vocal Arts Scholar since 2018. Inspired by young talent and building community, she co-founded Opera Atlantic this summer and is now the Artistic Director.