Orchestra Librarian of the Washington National Opera since 2006, Shelley Friedman began her career at the Orchestra of St. Luke’s (NY) where she interned while attending Sarah Lawrence College. There followed a mentorship in the New York Philharmonic library, a stint at music publisher Boosey & Hawkes, and librarian positions at the Westchester Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, Albany Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and the National Symphony, where she was Associate Librarian from 2002-2006.

Shelley grew up outside of Philadelphia playing piano and cello and attending Philadelphia Orchestra concerts. Her first “grown up” opera performance was Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera in 1985, and she never looked back. Barely able to carry a tune herself, she eventually found a way into the opera world that was better suited to her talents, and she enjoys supporting her colleagues in the orchestra with well-prepared music to play from. Other interests include gardening, reading, and fostering cats for a local rescue agency.