Support Groups

Want to learn more about opera? Want to get to know staff and meet artists? Want to meet other opera-lovers who enjoy great parties and appreciate wonderful singing? The Des Moines Metro Opera Guild is just the ticket! With three chapters to choose from (or we’ll start one in your city!), the Guild educates its own membership while building opera awareness and encouraging audience development through its extensive education and outreach activities. In addition, each Guild chapter engages in fundraising activities that generate much appreciated support for the festival season.

dmmo@dmmo.org

106 West Boston Ave.

Indianola, IA 50125 USA
Ph: 515-961-6221

Welcome to the Guild!
Love opera but your friends and neighbors don’t understand? You’re new to opera, and you want to be more comfortable with this fresh adventure you’re on? Hey! You’ve come to the perfect place.

The Guild is a social and support group for men and women of all ages who attend the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and enjoy the camaraderie of others who share their interests. Throughout the year we party, get up close and personal with the artists and help them get acquainted in town, take trips together, share opera stories, learn LOTS….and generally support the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

We even have a “sub-set” of the Guild: The Bohemians, just for young professionals under the age of 40. Join now and meet us in the Guild Room at performances, and learn more about our great group, meet us in the Guild Room at performance, or join now.

1029 Central

Kansas City, MO 64105 USA
Ph: 816.471.4933

The Opera Omaha Guild is a group of men and women dedicated to supporting the Company with fundraising and opera education efforts. Members plan and promote events such as Cotillion (etiquette classes for area six graders), an Annual Gala and new this season, the Burgers & Bordeaux chef competition and Spirits of the Season wine event.

info@operaomaha.org

1625 Farnam, Suite 100

Omaha, NE 68102 USA
Ph: 877-34-OPERA

The mission of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Guild is to provide broad-based and innovative volunteer support for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Through this volunteer group, men and women of all ages join to contribute their services towards the growth and success of opera in St. Louis.

The Guild plays a vital role in the creative life of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and gives volunteers the opportunity to work side-by-side with artists, staff, and other company members. Although our opera season runs from late May through late June, we are in need of volunteers throughout the year. We welcome your involvement, no matter what your time commitment!

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis encourages its volunteers to further their involvement by joining Friends of the Festival.

For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (314) 961-0171 ext. 226

kleslie@opera-stl.org

210 Hazel Ave

St. Louis, MO 63119 USA
Ph: (314) 961-0171 x 226

The Guild of Tulsa Opera, Inc. is a non -profit organization whose mission is to promote opera in the Tulsa community and region.

We are a group of men and women who volunteer our time and talents in many ways.


Thank you very much for your interest in The Guild of Tulsa Opera! We hope that if you still have questions after reviewing this site, you will not hesitate to call Tulsa Opera at 918-582-4035. Email us at TulsaOperaGuild@cox.net.

TheGuild@theguildoftulsaopera.com

1610 South Boulder

Tulsa, OK 74119 USA
Ph: 918-582-4035

Twin Cities Opera Guild is an independent organization devoted to Opera Education for Children, and is a non-profit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

info@twincitiesoperaguild.org

1043 Grand Ave., #189

St. Paul, MN 55105 USA
Ph: 651-227-2409

For those searching for exciting ways to get involved in the Opera, look no further. Volunteering as a member of the Opera Guild will offer you new ways to utilize your talents, provide opportunities to learn new skills, and make new friends who share your interests.

info@wichitagrandopera.org

Century II Performing Arts Center
225 W Douglas Ave
Wichita, KS 67202 USA
Ph: 316.683.3444

Elgin OPERA appreciates this opportunity to acquaint you with its mission, vision, and history of unique contributions to the Elgin and greater Fox Valley montage of musical offerings. We want you to know about the exciting growth at Elgin OPERA and invite you to consider the many ways you can be a part of it all.We honor and appreciate every contribution of time, ideas, energy, service, and, of course, funding!

office@elginopera.org

350 Park St
The Rider Center - Room 207
Elgin, IL 60120 USA
Ph: 847.695.5014

In a Lyric Opera chapter, opera lovers of all ages get together to enjoy lectures, musical performances, special events, volunteer opportunities, and each other's company. Each chapter is chartered with the dual purpose of raising money to enhance educational outreach programs and generating support for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

20 N. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606 USA
Ph: 312-827-5673

The Milwaukee Florentine Opera Club, Inc. is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization to promote interest in and support of the Florentine Opera Company. The Club and the Company work in close harmony to cultivate the appreciation of opera in Wisconsin and surrounding stages. We welcome your inquiries on joining the Milwaukee Florentine Opera Club, Inc. or becoming part of its Board of Directors.

info@florentineopera.org

700 N. Water Street, Suite 950

Milwaukee, WI 53202 USA
Ph: (414) 228-7214

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Austin Lyric Opera was founded in 1986 by Artistic/Music Director Walter Ducloux and General Director Joseph McClain. Community leaders Alfred King, Board Chairman, and Gay Ratliff, President, created a strong board of trustees dedicated to developing a highly skilled and professional opera company that would round out the already burgeoning arts community in Austin.

That dedication was reinforced on June 11, 1986 at a Guild charter membership meeting hosted by UT Chancellor and Mrs. Hans Mark at the historic Bauer House. The meeting was attended by 400 opera enthusiasts who became members. Thus, the Austin Lyric Opera Guild, dedicated to supporting Austin Lyric Opera and its goals, was founded.

The Guild is 23 years strong and much has evolved. Today, the Guild is an organization that focuses on volunteer service to the Austin Lyric Opera company, opera enrichment for our members through social and educational opportunities, and fundraising through the Guild Boutique and Special Events.

More than 450 members provide the pulse, support, and lifeline for the company and our Central Texas community. Volunteering in multiple roles is encouraged through our various opportunities. There is nothing more rewarding than donating your time, energy, and talent to the Austin Lyric Opera. Besides, we have a lot of fun!

901 Barton Springs Rd.

Austin, TX 78704 USA
Ph: (512) 472-5992

Join the Houston Grand Opera Guild. Go behind the scenes of a world-class company. Get to know opera inside and out--from its opulent history, to emerging world premieres, to talented performers. Make your heart sing with volunteer projects for the Houston Grand Opera and Studio.

As a member of the Houston Grand Opera Guild, you'll meet many talented performers. Besides greeting the on-stage cast, Guild members perform in a myriad of other roles, from education docents to studio artists' buddies to event underwriters, just to hit the high notes.

guild@houstongrandopera.org

510 Preston St., Fifth Floor

Houston, TX 77002-1594 USA
Ph: 713.546.0269

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Guilds of The Santa Fe Opera, Inc. is the "umbrella organization" for the eight Guild chapters. It is a separately organized, 501(c)3 corporation. The officers of Guilds, Inc. are members of the individual Guild chapters.

P. O. Box 2658

Santa Fe, NM 87504 USA
Ph:

The Opera Guild of San Antonio is a non-profit educational and charitable organization of volunteers formed to promote the awareness of opera and encourage its growth through volunteer activities relating to opera, and to raise and maintain funds for the support of charitable, operatic or educational purposes, either directly or by contributions to other organizations. All lovers of opera are welcome to join!

president@operaguildsa.org

P.O. Box 12290

San Antonio, TX 78212-0290 USA
Ph:

PO Box 1506
Buffalo, NY 14215-6518

PO Box 566

Buffalo, NY 14207 USA
Ph:

The Glimmerglass Opera Guild provides essential volunteer support to the company throughout the year.

With approximately 200 members, the Guild fills a variety of company needs through its various service, fundraising and education programs.

The Guild furnishes suppers for production staff on Saturday afternoons in July and August when hectic schedules do not allow the staff to leave the site for a dinner break between matinee and evening performances. Guild members also help by painting residences used by guest artists, serving as greeters at performances and other events, providing transportation for artists and staff to and from area airports and train stations, assisting with campus landscaping, entering information into databases, and much, much more.

PO Box 191

Cooperstown, NY 13326 USA
Ph: (607) 547-2255

Volunteers play an increasingly important role at New York City Opera. Our volunteer corps is a large group of people with extremely varied backgrounds who come together to show their support for the company. The volunteers are an integral part of the day-to-day activities here at City Opera. Volunteer duties range from working as sales staff at our Gift Shop, guiding backstage tours, staffing information tables at performances, helping at our Thrift Shop, providing office and clerical support, and many other activities.

David H. Koch Theater
20 Lincoln Center
New York, NY 10023 USA
Ph:

The Anchorage Opera Guild is a non-profit organization supporting opera and opera appreciation in Anchorage through social, educational, and fundraising activities.

Volunteer@aoguild.org

P. O. Box 240481

Anchorage, AK 99524-0481 USA
Ph:

The purpose of the Festival Opera Guild shall be to offer encouragement and financial support to the Festival Opera company, and to assist, where possible, in its activities.

info@festivalopera.com

675 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite B215

Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA
Ph: 925-944-9610

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Want to meet other opera lovers? Share your interests with other equally dedicated people at the Opera League. From Musicales and Special Events to our Gatherings and Seminars, you will make new friends and lasting friendships based on your shared passion for great opera.

webmaster@operaleague.org

P.O. Box 49933

Los Angeles, CA 90049-0933 USA
Ph:

To stimulate interest and participation in opera for the benefit of cultural, educational and musical life in all of Oregon and to assist artists in the arts and aid in the production of opera.

Founded in 1960 by a group of philanthropic women dedicated to supporting the work of the Portland Opera Association, The Portland Opera Guild has evolved into an organization that generously supports the work of the association, and also has a portfolio of unique responsibilities and events which it manages for Guild membership.

From outstanding luncheons that explain the intricate details of each opera performance, to acting as volunteers in coordination with the Metropolitan Operation National Council Auditions, The Portland Opera Guild blends social time and networking with many other meaningful educational and philanthropic programs. The Guild welcomes you to join its membership and experience the organization!

info@portlandoperaguild.com

PO Box 955

Portland, OR 97207-0955 USA
Ph:

San Francisco Opera Guild's mission is to provide cultural nourishment to the Northern California community through opera education, outreach programs and special events; as well as to provide financial support to San Francisco Opera Association.

War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
Ph: (415) 565-3204

The Seattle Opera Guild has been providing educational and social opportunities for its members since 1956. Current Guild membership is approximately 450. Through its fundraising activities, the Guild has raised over $65,000 each year for donation to opera-related organizations. The bulk of the money has gone to Seattle Opera, but other recipients include King County libraries, Metropolitan Opera National Council–Northwest Region (MONC–NW), and Northwest Opera In Schools Etc. (NOISE).

guild@seattleopera.org

PO Box 9097

Seattle, WA 98109 USA
Ph:

The Skagit Opera Guild is seeking new members!

Enthusiastic opera lovers are needed to volunteer time, talent, organizational skills, money, and good humor. Benefits include invitation to dress rehearsals, opening night celebrations, hobnobbing with the stars and fabulous camaraderie and friendships.

rwohl@skagitopera.org

PO Box 1756

Mount Vernon, WA 98273 USA
Ph: 360.293.8188

In 1975 Marietta Atherton organized a group of women who founded the Stockton Opera Guild. The purpose of the Guild was, and remains today, to promote public interest in operatic music along with the Stockton Opera Association. For over 30 years, the Guild has sponsored fund-raising events, assisted in the financial support of the Stockton Opera Association, and has a Scholarship program open to all San Joaquin County vocal students.

info@stocktonopera.org



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Ph: 209.954.0219

The Vancouver Opera Guild is comprised of individuals whose interest in opera brought them together for a common cause. The Guild was officially formed in April 1979 under the British Columbia Societies Act. Since that time, we have maintained a proud tradition of supporting and promoting opera in British Columbia. The Guild plans projects to benefit Vancouver Opera and young talent, organizes social events and coordinates tours to well known opera houses.

In 2000, we embarked on an ongoing strategic planning process that provides all members an opportunity to participate in setting directions for the Guild. This initiative was recognized with an Opera Volunteers International Resource Competition Award in 2003.

Although we are a separate group from Vancouver Opera, our fundraising efforts support Vancouver Opera programs such as Vancouver Opera In Schools. Each November, the Guild hosts the Metropolitan Opera National Council Western District auditions and provides small grants to the winners. Past winners of these auditions have included Judith Forst and Mariateresa Magisano. The Career Development Grant is bestowed annually to either a promising singer or production person who is in the early part of his/her career. The Guild also gives financial support to the University of British Columbia's Opera School and the Vancouver Academy of Music student opera productions.

vog@shaw.ca

835 Cambie St.

Vancouver, BC V6B 2P4 CAN
Ph: 604-682-2871 x 5001

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Guild is a non-profit organization of some 200 volunteers-homemakers, business executives, teachers, artists, decorators, nurses, and other professionals - dedicated to promoting and supporting our superb Symphony and Opera.

630 Chestnut St

Chattanooga, TN 37402 USA
Ph: (423) 267-8583

The Knoxville Opera Guild is a volunteer organization whose mission is to promote the appreciation of that magical combination of voice, music and drama called opera and support the production of this wonderful art form in the greater Knoxville area.

Through a variety of fund raising events which include an Annual Gala Ball, an Annual Martini Party and an Annual Croquet Tournament, the Guild raises in excess of one hundred thousand dollars annually for Knoxville Opera.

info@knoxvilleoperaguild.org

P.O. Box 16

Knoxville, TN 37901-0016 USA
Ph: (865) 524-0795

For the more than 20 years since its founding, Nashville Opera Guild members have cherished their role in preserving and promoting Grand Opera in Middle Tennessee through their support of the Nashville Opera Association, Inc.

For the Guild, Opera is the gateway to all fine arts–poetry, music, sculpture, painting, design, and dance. The musical score excites and then invites you, the listener, into the emotional realm of superior story-telling that is the heart of every opera. Modern English subtitles allow opera-goers to understand every scene regardless of the language being sung.

jsneed@nashvilleopera.org

The Noah Liff Opera Center
3622 Redmon St.
Nashville, TN 37209 USA
Ph: 615.832.5242

operatampa@tbpac.org

1010 North W.C. MacInnes Pl.

Tampa, FL 33602 USA
Ph: 813.222.1003

The Young Patronesses of the Opera (YPO), is a non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor, educate and develop the understanding, taste and love of opera in our community.

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The Guild is a division of Mercury Opera Rochester that provides a variety of support functions for Rochester’s professional opera company. These include educational outreach programs of free opera lectures at local libraries, tours to productions at leading regional opera companies and to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The Guild also arranges benefit concerts, opera recitals and gala dinners.

1600 North Clinton Avenue, Suite 10

Rochester, NY 14621-2200 USA
Ph:

Who is Chicago Opera Theater?

* A perfect marriage of music and theatre.
* A provider of first class productions of operatic repertoire that specializes in the greatest works of the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries.
* A producer of intimate and innovative productions presented by top-tier, internationally renowned conductors, directors, and designers.
* A developer of the most talented young artists in the world.
* A founding company of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
* An integral part of Chicago’s cultural landscape.

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.

Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful - an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

info@chicagooperatheater.org

70 E. Lake Street, Suite 815

Chicago, IL 60601-5907 USA
Ph: 312.334.7777

Located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355, the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage is a state-of-the-art facility, housing three performance spaces, an art gallery and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. This unique facility has presented theater, music, dance and visual arts to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and last year welcomed more than 75,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances.

The center offers free parking and group discounts and is home to Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, the New Philharmonic and DuPage Opera Theatre. The result is a collection of touring, and resident and student groups that foster enlightened education and performance opportunities to encourage artistic expression, promote a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community.

The MAC’s extensive community outreach program includes pre-performance lectures, classes with visiting artists and the SchoolStage program, which provides area K-12 students with an interactive, educational arts experience. Those and other efforts to increase community access to arts earned the MAC the Illinois Arts Council’s Partners in Excellence designation, which recognizes 40 of the most significant cultural institutions in the state.

raffel@cdnet.cod.edu

Fawell and Park Boulevards

Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599 USA
Ph: (630) 942-2263

Kane Community Opera (KCO) brings works of music and theatre to life for the enrichment of the people of Kane County, IL and neighboring areas. KCO present opera and orchestral performances in an affordable style and strives to engage local talent and community involvement.

"Opera for All of Us"

“Opera for All of Us” means that KCO’s productions focus on operas that are visually appealing to everyone, are true theatre that are also musical, and are in English. KCO’s performances make every effort to delight and entertain everyone – including those who have never seen an opera before or may be novice opera-goers. For the seasoned opera-buff, KCO brings quality operatic performances right to your own neighborhood.

As an integral part of our community outreach, KCO is currently seeking eager and willing board members to help with all aspects of the business side of our on-going operations. Contributions and sponsorships to help fund our productions are also needed to help maintain and grow KCO.

shanson98@aol.com

1144 E. State Street, Suite A #240

Geneva, IL 60134 USA
Ph: 630.346.1842

The Muddy River Opera Company, founded in 1989, has mounted numerous productions. For general information call the Muddy River Opera Company office.

qsoa@adams.net

300 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 244

Quincy, IL 62301 USA
Ph: (217) 222-2856

Twin Cities Opera Guild is an independent organization devoted to Opera Education for Children, and is a non-profit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

info@twincitiesoperaguild.org

1043 GRAND AVE., #189

St. Paul, MN 55105 USA
Ph: 651-227-2409

Opera Memphis was chartered in 1956 by a group of Memphians interested in producing regional opera. Charter signatories included noted Memphians Philip Belz and Walter Chandler. Early productions consisted mainly of local singers and local directors. During this initial period the Metropolitan Opera toured regularly through the area and performed in Memphis two to three times per year. As the company grew, the performers and directors became more regional and the sets and costumes more professional. By the mid-1970s, Opera Memphis began bringing in well-known singers like, Leontyne Price, Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, Sherrill Milnes, and Birgit Nilsson, to perform in lead roles.

In 1992, Michael Ching became the new General/Artistic Director of Opera Memphis. Singing artists in this period have included Barbara Dever, Robert Orth, and Kallen Esperian.

Opera Memphis is widely respected for its education and outreach programs, which currently reach over 18,000 children and adults per season with partnerships with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Grace House, Harbor House and the Gaston Park Library. From 1993-95, Opera Memphis was the recipient of an Arts Plus Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This major funding resulted in student written and produced operas at three Memphis City high schools. Recently, new programs have been added including annual opera camps for children ages 7-11 and a more advanced camp for Teens.

info@operamemphis.org

The Clark Opera Memphis Center
6745 Wolf River Parkway
Memphis, TN 38120 USA
Ph: 901-257-3100