JUSTIN WERNER
Founder and President
Justin Werner is an operatic professional with extensive experience in production, education, and artist representation. Mr. Werner is the Founder and President of Stratagem Artists in 2018, which cultivates and represents a select roster of operatic artists through artist driven collaboration.
Between 2014-2018, Mr. Werner was a co-founder and artist manager at Couret & Werner (C&W) Artist Management. Mr. Werner gained his initial Artist Management experience at IMG Artists, where he served as an Artist Management intern.
Mr. Werner was the founder and Artistic Director of New York Opera Exchange (2011–2015), which afforded numerous opportunities for emerging singers, directors, and designers to mount critically acclaimed productions. According to Opera Today, "Artistic Director Justin Werner manages to infect others with his enthusiasm through sheer force of charisma and passion." Additionally, Mr. Werner founded the Independent Student Opera Initiative at Boston University.
A valued advisor for emerging artists, Mr. Werner is a frequent panelist for Opera America's Career Blueprints and Feedback Audition programs. He has presented masterclasses and workshops for institutions such as Emerging Leaders of New York Arts (ELNYA), Yale School of Music, the Stratford Summer Music Vocal Academy, Des Moines Metro Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival, CCM, Boston University, Fort Worth Opera / Texas Christian University, Oklahoma City University, the University of North Texas, the New York Opera Alliance, the University of Delaware, Opera NextGen and the Seagle Music Colony. In the spring of 2021, Mr. Werner joined the Atelier Lyrique at L’Opéra de Montréal and Mannes School of Music at The New School as an Artistic Advisor in Residence to the Mannes Opera where he will return for the 2021/2022 academic year.
In past seasons, Mr. Werner served on the adjudicating panels of the McCammon Vocal Competition, Talents of the World Annual Voice Competition, MetroWest Vocal Competition, CS Music Vocal Competition and Opera Ithaca Competition. In the spring of 2023, he will judge the finals of the Cooper-Bing Competition at Opera Columbus.
Mr. Werner earned his BM in Vocal Performance from Boston University and his Advanced Certificate in Vocal Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Mr. Werner is also proud to be the chair of the On Site Opera Artistic Advisory Council.
ANDREW GILSTRAP
Associate Artist Manager
Andrew Gilstrap recently joined the team at Stratagem Artists as an Associate Artist Manager, bringing to the role a rich combination of professional performance experience and a deep understanding of the classical music industry. As a bass-baritone, Andrew has performed with organizations such as Wolf Trap Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Minnesota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Bayerische Staatsoper, in repertoire ranging from Mozart and Rossini to contemporary American works. His career has also included concert appearances with ensembles such as the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, the Chattanooga Symphony, and the Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra.
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Andrew holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Voice Performance from the University of Houston, with additional training as a Filene Artist at Wolf Trap Opera, a Resident Artist at Minnesota Opera, and an Ensemble Artist at the Bayerische Staatsoper. This diverse background equips him with a first-hand appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s artists.
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In his role at Stratagem, Andrew is passionate about supporting and advocating for artists, helping them shape sustainable and artistically fulfilling careers.
NICOLE KHOUZAMI
Operations Manager
Nicole Khouzami is a Lebanese-American soprano and arts administrator from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Vocal Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music, where she was recently selected to be a Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Fellow through Eastman’s Institute of Music Leadership. As a fellow, she explores the intersection between performance and arts leadership in her work with the George Walker Center, and in roles as the Assistant to the Director for the Institute of Music Leadership and the Digital Communications/Production intern with Gateways Music Festival.
Nicole recently earned her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, where she held roles in public relations and led various organizations, from cultural clubs to acapella groups and music fraternities. Nicole also studied Italian extensively throughout her undergraduate years. This summer, she was able to bring her passion for languages, performing, and broadening the typical opera audience into her work with the Todi Musica 2025 Festival (OperAffinity).
Nicole’s identity as a member of the Middle Eastern North African community has deeply influenced her perspective as an artist and administrator; she is committed to bringing classical music to new audiences, and continually seeks new ways to carry this commitment forward in both areas of her career.
LYNDSI MAUS
Artistic Consultant and Collaborator
Lyndsi Maus is an award-winning collaborative pianist who specializes in Lieder and working with singers. She holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as well as a Master’s degree in Klavier Vokalbegleitung from the Kunst Universität Graz where she was a student of acclaimed British pianist, Julius Drake. During her studies in Austria, she was the recipient of several awards, including the Pianist Prize in the 2016 International Brahms Competition in Pörtschach, Austria and in the same year, the “Outstanding Lieder Pianist Prize” at the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. She is also a Britten-Pears Young Artist, having participated in the 21st Century Singer course in 2018.
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In addition to Lied accompanying, Lyndsi has served as a répétiteur and harpsichordist for several opera festivals around Europe, including works such as Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” and “Cosi fan tutte”, Humperdinck’s “Hänsel und Gretel”, and Monteverdi’s “L’incoronazione di Poppea”. From 2019-2021 she was a member of Opernstudio at Staatstheater Nürnberg, where she worked on projects such as Bernstein’s “West Side Story”, Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” and Rubenstein’s “The Demon”. For the 2021-2022 season, she joined the team at Theater Regensburg as a full-time répétiteur, playing in productions such as Massenet’s “Werther”, J.Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”, the musical “Chicago”, and the world premiere of “Mui” by Anton Lubchenko.
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After seven years in Europe, she moved back to the United States in 2022 to join the faculty at Rice University The Shepherd School of Music as an Artist Teacher of Opera Studies. In addition to opera coaching, she teaches the graduate level course on Song Literature, and continues to concertize as well as creating special recital projects with students and advising with program planning. She also serves as the inaugural Artistic Consultant for Stratagem Artists, advising the roster on audition and recital repertoire, as well as collaborating with them from the piano on various projects.
EVAN KARDON
Mental Health & Wellness Consultant
“I am an opera singer-turned psychotherapist with a focus on relationships. My practice, Empowered Voice Therapy was born out of personal experiences. I spent much of my life in the performing arts as a vocalist, and what started out as a career fueled by passion and joy, turned into a life full of instability and insecurity. The irony of my situation was, that though I had a voice that was being heard by many, it wasn’t an empowered one. My disempowerment bled into both my platonic and romantic relationships; I rarely voiced what I wanted or needed, sacrificed my pleasure for the sake of others, and allowed my insecurities to dictate how I saw myself and the treatment that I believed that I deserved.
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My attunement to others and communication skills were useful in a career that focuses on collaboration; if you are not attuned, you are not in tune. I bring these skills into my work with relationships, as I believe that attunement and transparent communication foster connection and improve overall relationship satisfaction. Through experiences in my own therapy, I recognized that I was muting myself and suppressing my emotions in many aspects of my life. I ultimately decided that a career in the arts wasn’t serving me or my needs anymore and that I wanted to focus on helping others heal on their paths to self-discovery. I now help others find their unmute button and create a safe space for them to use their voices in whatever way makes them feel empowered.
I am member of AASECT and AAMFT. I received my training from Jefferson University’s Couple and Family Therapy Program, with a specialization in Sex Therapy, and a Clinical Internship with Council for Relationships. I am trained in levels I and II of the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy and maintain a profound commitment to ongoing education. Understanding that the therapeutic landscape evolves alongside societal shifts, I prioritize continuous learning to ensure I remain adept at addressing the diverse and evolving needs of my clients.”
NATALIE SHEPPARD
Voice Pathologist & Vocal Health Consultant
Natalie Sheppard is a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Singing Voice Specialist dedicated to supporting singers through individualized care and long-term vocal wellness. She completed fellowship training in voice and upper airway disorders at the Blaine Block Institute of Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation (BBIVAR) and the Professional Voice Center of Greater Cincinnati (ProVoice Center). Natalie emphasizes efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in her work, with a focus on injury prevention to help singers thrive in their careers.
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Collaborating closely with laryngologists, psychologists, and other singing voice specialists nationwide, Natalie believes in comprehensive, team-based care for professional voice users. Known for her empathetic counseling style and lived understanding of the performing artist’s experience, she builds meaningful connections with clients while offering both clinical expertise and emotional support.
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An active educator and speaker, Natalie presents at national conferences and music conservatories through workshops, lectures, and masterclasses on vocal health. While earning her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Colorado, she pioneered the first collaboration between the university’s voice clinic and music school, providing educational programming and baseline videolaryngeal stroboscopy for singers—a model she continues to advocate for in supporting vocal athletes.
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In 2024, she received the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for her leadership and advocacy in the field of voice.
As a classically trained mezzo-soprano, Natalie received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and pursued a Master of Music in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California. She remains a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and maintains an active performing career, providing perspective grounded in firsthand experience. She works with singers performing on demanding stages, including the Metropolitan Opera, LA Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cincinnati Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Broadway national tours.
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Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Natalie continues to practice at BBIVAR, the ProVoice Center, and Sonnenberg Voice, a Chicago-based practice specializing in singer care. She also maintains connections with the Bastian Voice Institute, a leading center for specialized vocal fold surgery, continuing to advance vocal health with expertise and passion.
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Natalie’s dual perspective as both clinician and opera singer guides her work with artists worldwide. “I am beyond grateful to provide vocal care for this incredible roster of artists and truly humbled by Stratagem Artists for welcoming me onto their team.”
EMMA ROCHELEAU
Artistic Intern
Emma Rocheleau hails from Lexington, SC. She is the current 3rd Assistant Stage Manager at Houston Grand Opera. In recent years, she has been an assistant stage manager at Music Academy of the West and Merola Opera Program along with having stage managed multiple productions at Salt Marsh Opera, Opera Steamboat, and Pacific Opera Project. In addition to her work as a freelance stage manager, she has served as the Production Manager at Pacific Opera Project, Associate Production Manager at Spoleto Festival USA, and Assistant Production Manager at the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference. She holds a BM in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Conservatory and a MM in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California.
SERVICES
ARTIST COUNSEL: CONSULTATIONS & MASTERCLASSES
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The art of classical singing is one that demands great commitment, discipline, and enthusiasm. Along each singer's journey arise questions of repertoire, presentation, and career viability. Stratagem Artists is proud to offer guidance to those singers who wish to improve their command of the operatic craft, while also addressing the realities of the current classical industry.
Stratagem Artists is committed to artist development. Justin Werner's experience in artist counsel includes presenting masterclasses for Emerging Leaders of New York Arts (ELNYA), Yale School of Music, Mannes School of Music, Des Moines Metro Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival, Boston University, Fort Worth Opera / Texas Christian University, Oklahoma City University, the University of North Texas, the New York Opera Alliance, the University of Delaware and the Seagle Music Colony, as well as serving as artistic director / founder of the New York Opera Exchange (2011–2015). In past seasons, he served on the adjudicating panels the McCammon Vocal Competition, the Cooper-Bing Competition at Opera Columbus Talents of the World Annual Voice Competition, MetroWest Vocal Competition, CS Music Vocal Competition. In 2021, he will adjudicate the Opera Ithaca Competition as well as joining the faculties of the Atelier Lyrique at L’Opéra de Montréal and the Mannes School of Music.
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