Staff Spotlight: Janara Kellerman

In the world of opera, where careers can be as dramatic as the performances themselves, finding the right balance between artistry and stability is no simple feat. For Janara Kellerman, Rutgers Presbyterian Church's Executive Assistant, that balance has been discovered in an unexpected place—behind the desk of a progressive Manhattan church that celebrates both her administrative skills and her soaring mezzo-soprano voice.

From Iowa to the Big Apple

Janara's journey to Rutgers began thousands of miles away in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where music was simply part of life. "My mother made all of us kids do music," she recalls. Piano lessons started at six, clarinet in fifth grade, but it wasn't until high school choir that she discovered her true calling. A scholarship to Simpson College outside Des Moines set her on a path she never expected. "I didn't know what opera was," she laughs. After completing both bachelor's and master's degrees in voice performance, there was only one place left to go.

"I always wanted to live in New York ever since I was like 16," she explains. "For a lot of opera singers, you jump into the big pond and you figure it out." In 2001, she took that leap.

A Blessing in Disguise

Janara's path to Rutgers began through music, not employment. As a member of the choir at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, she followed conductors Mary Nelson and Jim Ballmer when they were hired at Rutgers in 2011. For several years, she balanced singing in the choir with occasional temp work, filling in when office staff needed vacation coverage.

When a permanent executive assistant position opened in 2014, Janara initially hesitated. "I was like, 'No, I'm an artist. I can't have a full-time job. I can't commit,'" she remembers. But something about Rutgers felt different. After helping interview other candidates, she realized what she might be missing.

"I was like, 'Wait a second... this is a great place to work. They're super supportive of my singing.'" When she finally threw her hat in the ring, she told her future bosses it would probably only be for a couple of years. That was ten years ago.

The Art of Understanding

What makes Rutgers special, according to Janara, is how the organization embraces the whole person. "I'm not just a person sitting behind the desk," she explains. "All the people who work here understand and care for every aspect of who I am as a person, and that's rare to find in a job."

This support has allowed her to maintain an impressive performance schedule. She typically performs in one or two major operas per year, recently returning from St. Petersburg, Florida, where she appeared in October and will return again in January. 

Recent highlights include her role debut as Elle in La Voix Humaine with Cedar Rapids Opera, her hometown company, and her Lincoln Center debut as Alto Soloist in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at David Geffen Hall. She also manages about ten other opera singers through her artist management company, keeping multiple creative outlets flowing.

More Than Music

While music brought Janara to Rutgers, it's the community that has kept her there. Over the years, her role has evolved from administrative tasks to genuine relationships with congregants. "Getting to really know who the people of Rutgers are and who I'm working for... it's just such an incredible place to work. Everyone cares so much."

One relationship that particularly stands out is her friendship with the late Charles Dunn, a longtime friend of the church. "He was always so appreciative of my artistry and we became really good friends," she recalls. "I would go over to his apartment, we'd make music together." When Charles passed away, Janara sang a concert in his honor—a beautiful example of how Rutgers creates connections that extend far beyond Sunday morning.

The Performance Continues

As Janara prepares for her upcoming performances in St. Petersburg and continues her work managing other artists, she remains grateful for the unique arrangement that allows her to pursue her passion while maintaining stability. "It's been an absolute blessing," she reflects, and for anyone who has witnessed both her administrative competence and her powerful stage presence, it's clear that the blessing goes both ways. In a world where artists often struggle to balance creativity with security, Janara has found her perfect harmony right here on the Upper West Side.

Catch Janara’s upcoming performance on October 28th as part of Rutgers Presbyterian’s Tuesdays In the Sanctuary Series.