FOUNDER, VERISMO COMMUNICATIONS

Through Verismo Communications, Beth Stewart amplifies the authentic voices of women, queer folks, and people of color in classical music. Respected for her creativity and candor, Beth draws on her breadth of experience in the industry – as publicist, producer, and performer – which has fueled her deep empathy for those working onstage and behind the scenes.  

Beth’s determination to inspire those around her has shaped Verismo as a classical music PR firm that creates space and opportunity in clients’ lives and operates with unswerving integrity. Verismo specializes in helping artists identify their distinctive brand voices, and works to infuse that genuine thread in each client’s public presence.

Beth’s work has propelled clients to glossy magazine covers, successful appearances on global television networks including CNN, BBC World, SBS, NBC, and ABC, and features in top international print publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, The Times, Billboard, Opera News, BBC Music Magazine, and Gramophone. She has played an integral role in major promotional and award campaigns, with clients such as mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, conductors Eun Sun Kim and Lidiya Yankovskaya, and projects including Songs for Murdered Sisters and Against the Grain Records.

Her clients have won many of classical music’s most prestigious prizes, earning recognition from the Grammy® Awards, Metropolitan Opera, Solti Foundation U.S., Richard Tucker Music Foundation, International Opera Awards, Juno Awards, Latin Grammy® Awards, and BBC Music Magazine Awards.

Beth’s multi-pronged education – a double-degree BA/BM from Johns Hopkins University in Latin American Studies and Peabody Conservatory in Voice Performance, followed by her MM and Graduate Performance Diploma from Peabody – prepared her to thrive while juggling the demands of multiple constituents.

Her trademark drive and infectious energy have been instrumental in the launch of Turn The Spotlight, a non-profit foundation created to identify, nurture, and empower leaders – and in turn, to illuminate the path to a more equitable future in the arts. Under Beth's leadership, Turn The Spotlight offers mentorship by and for exceptional women, people of color, and members of other equity-seeking groups, with a particular interest in supporting artists who are using their talents and skills to strengthen their communities and pursue social justice.

In increasing demand as a speaker, Beth has shared her vision for the industry in recent sessions with American Composers Forum, American Composers Orchestra, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Bard College, Carnegie Mellon University, Dallas Opera Hart Institute for Women Conductors, Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Merola Opera Program, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Opera America, Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, SphinxConnect, Sphinx LEAD, University of Michigan’s Arts Leadership Forum, WNO Opera Institute, YCA Career Catalyst, Young Concert Artists, and the Women in Classical Music Symposium presented by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Beth lives in Chicago with her husband Louis, their new puppy, and three mischievous cats who – he assures her – will one day be best friends.