Caden Cole is the current general director and co-founder of the Centralia Opera, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing classical singing and opera to the Downstate Illinois area through performance and education. As general director, Cole has led the Centralia Opera to bring singers from all over the country to Southern Illinois and is in the process of producing its first full opera with orchestra, involving singers from all over the country, students all throughout Southern Illinois, and members of the community.

Caden also leads the Centralia Opera Student fellowship, which connects Jr. high and High school students with early-career professional singers giving the students voice lessons at no cost to them and the opportunity to perform in a fully staged opera.