GO Community Engagement Programs are enriching the lives of a diverse cross section of the Southwest Florida community through a variety of creative activities. Each year GO brings together nearly 500 performers and production personnel. We develop regional talent and engage regional professionals to perform with nationally recognized soloist and directors. Hundreds of students, elementary through college age enjoy their first opera experience by attending free dress rehearsals or lecture/demonstrations by our Professional Artists in Residence at area high school and college music classes. Over 4000 volunteer hours are contributed per year by adult choristers and back stage volunteers. Through these Community Engagement activities, participants contribute to a thriving, harmonious community.
Youth Opera Chorus (7-14) meets January through April to prepare music and rehearse staging. They receive high-level instruction and the unforgettable experience of performing in full-scale professional opera productions. Recent grand opera productions that called for youth chorus included Turandot, Tosca, and La Boheme. Teens over 14 may audition for the adult chorus. Audition notices are posted each fall.
Contact info@GulfshoreOpera.org for more information.
The Harmony Choir is our youth development program that encourages personal confidence and social skills through introductory music lessons, choral participation, and performance. This program augments existing after-school programs in partnership with other non-profit organizations and is delivered at no cost to participants. Activities include choral singing, vocal instruction, musicianship skills, and percussion activities. Qualified music education teachers lead the classes, and participants perform at various community events.
Emerging Artists Training Program (ages 16 +) provides classical voice training and performance opportunities to talented singers in our community. Through auditions, young aspiring performers (ages 16 +) from the Southwest Florida region receive free private training and paid performance opportunities in community concerts and opera productions. Participants receive individualized studies, solo performance opportunities, and section leader and support roles in opera productions. Trainees develop tools for success such as poise, stage presence, and confidence, giving them a competitive edge to increase opportunities as vocal soloists.
Contact production@GulfshoreOpera.org for more information or to apply.
GO Divas is Gulfshore Opera’s all-female vocal ensemble. Comprised of five lovely, locally based ladies with classical training, they perform various popular, semi-classical, and operatic repertoire featuring rich harmonies accompanied by piano. GO Divas is a professional group available for private engagements and community concerts.
To book or to apply contact renee@GulfshoreOpera.org
Florida-based, career-path professional opera singers join GO for a 5-day workshop to refine their audition package.
Each fall, GO Music Director Maestro Jorge Parodi joins General Director Steffanie Pearce to help promising regional artists refine their repertoire and maximize their impact at management and company auditions. Artists are selected by audition and must have some professional solo experience.
Contact info@GulfshoreOpera.org for more information or to apply.
GO volunteers have an excellent opportunity to share their skills and love for the arts as they connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a high school or college student, a working adult, or a retiree, we have opportunities for you to enrich your life and the lives of others, meet people with similar interests, and help fulfill our mission while having fun! Volunteers are a crucial part of the operation of Gulfshore Opera, whether you help onstage, backstage, or in front of the house (ushering). Our volunteers are integral to our success!
