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Mila Henry
Mila Henry is a music director and pianist who maintains an active and versatile career leading works that defy genre, from rock musicals to folk operas to reimagined classics. She has worked with Lileana Blain-Cruz, Heather Christian, Bill T. Jones, George Lewis, Missy Mazzoli, Wayne Shorter, and esperanza spalding. Recent and upcoming projects include conductor for The Old Man and the Sea (Opera Columbus); music director/pianist for Precipice (Prototype Festival); and associate music director for Black Swan (American Repertory Theater).
Hailed as “a stalwart contributor to the contemporary opera scene” (Opera Ithaca), Mila frequently collaborates with Beth Morrison Projects and the Prototype Festival. She was conductor for Magdalene; music director/pianist for Eat the Document; pianist for Mata Hari and Thumbprint; and répétiteur for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angel’s Bone and prism, among others. Other notable collaborations include conductor for The Old Man and the Sea (BMP, VisionIntoArt); music director for The Hunt (Miller Theatre); associate music director for The Comet / Poppea (AMOC* Festival, Lincoln Center); pianist for We Shall Not Be Moved (Opera Philadelphia, The Apollo, Dutch National Opera) and Looking at You (HERE); and répétiteur for Iphigenia (Real Magic, Octopus Theatricals). She has also worked with American Opera Projects, Death of Classical, Experiments in Opera, and Opera on Tap, and has played at venues ranging from The Stone to the Library of Congress.
A strong advocate for mentorship, Mila is an active Maestra member, serving as co-program head (with Rebecca Steinberg) for their First Takes program and previously participating as both a mentor and mentee. She has participated on grant panels for Loghaven, New Music USA, and OPERA America, and in 2025, was one of nine honorees for OPERA America's Marineau Opera Grants for Women Opera Directors and Conductors. .
Mila holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (Master of Music, Collaborative Piano) and Elizabethtown College (Bachelor of Arts in Music, Piano). She is based in New York and plays accordion, melodica, ukulele, and an assortment of other tiny instruments with the alt-country band the Opera Cowgirls.
Learn more at MilaHenry.com.
Hailed as “a stalwart contributor to the contemporary opera scene” (Opera Ithaca), Mila frequently collaborates with Beth Morrison Projects and the Prototype Festival. She was conductor for Magdalene; music director/pianist for Eat the Document; pianist for Mata Hari and Thumbprint; and répétiteur for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angel’s Bone and prism, among others. Other notable collaborations include conductor for The Old Man and the Sea (BMP, VisionIntoArt); music director for The Hunt (Miller Theatre); associate music director for The Comet / Poppea (AMOC* Festival, Lincoln Center); pianist for We Shall Not Be Moved (Opera Philadelphia, The Apollo, Dutch National Opera) and Looking at You (HERE); and répétiteur for Iphigenia (Real Magic, Octopus Theatricals). She has also worked with American Opera Projects, Death of Classical, Experiments in Opera, and Opera on Tap, and has played at venues ranging from The Stone to the Library of Congress.
A strong advocate for mentorship, Mila is an active Maestra member, serving as co-program head (with Rebecca Steinberg) for their First Takes program and previously participating as both a mentor and mentee. She has participated on grant panels for Loghaven, New Music USA, and OPERA America, and in 2025, was one of nine honorees for OPERA America's Marineau Opera Grants for Women Opera Directors and Conductors. .
Mila holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (Master of Music, Collaborative Piano) and Elizabethtown College (Bachelor of Arts in Music, Piano). She is based in New York and plays accordion, melodica, ukulele, and an assortment of other tiny instruments with the alt-country band the Opera Cowgirls.
Learn more at MilaHenry.com.