UIA Talent and ADA Artist Management Announces Merger

The two prestigious talent agencies in the opera, music, and theater industry, have combined to form one large company

UIA Talent and ADA Artist Management have merged to represent singers, actors, directors, composers, librettists, playwrights, and conductors — operating under the company name, UIA Talent Agency.

Following a definitive agreement on May 5, 2023, the UIA Talent Agency will begin operating as a single entity at the end of the month and will represent all current clients of the merging agencies alongside existing contracts. 

The new agency will work to combine resources, expertise, and industry knowledge from its two merged companies to help reshape how opera and theater talent agencies serve their clients.

The company aims to empower the next generation of BIPOC industry leaders, involve a paid fellowship for arts administrators, and be a space for multifaceted artists.

Under the merger, UIA Talent founder and president Vanessa Uzan — who started the organization in 2011 — will continue to serve the same role in the merger and as head of the classical music practice areas. 

ADA founder Ana De Archuleta will become UIA’s strategic advisor and the role of CEO will be served by Aaron Sanko, who was the managing director of UIA Talent, and will continue to head the theatre, film, television, and literary practice areas. The three agency leaders will all be equity partners.

“This is an exciting time for us as we join forces to create a stronger, more dynamic agency that will better serve our clients,” said Vanessa Uzan, “We have always been committed to representing the best and most diverse talent in the industry, and this merger will enable us to expand our reach and provide even more opportunities for our clients to succeed.” 

“By joining our resources with UIA, we will be able to provide a more comprehensive range of services to our clients, from talent management to production support,” added De Archuleta, who started ADA in 2004. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Vanessa and her team and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.”

“I am thrilled with where this strategic growth positions the agency and our clients in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry,” said Aaron Sanko. “We’re uniquely poised to provide individualized attention to multi-faceted, multidisciplinary artists, now with a more global reach and increased specialization with the addition of new team members.”