Year In Review - Opera Steamboat
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2021 Year In Review
Whether in a small recital hall, outdoor venue, or large opera house, we have all experienced
a transformative moment of music that moved us, changed us, or made us see the world –
and ourselves – differently.
A piece of music that, by the simple act of listening to it, brought new thinking and feeling to
our lives.
These moments are the power of the Arts. And they are what you help make possible
through your generous support of Opera Steamboat.
As we begin to celebrate our 20th Anniversary in 2022, we continue our mission of enriching
the well-being of our community through innovative, educational, and collaborative musical
arts programs.
In Northwest Colorado, your support brings extraordinary experiences to the community. Andres Cladera
General and Artistic Director
Because of you, we are able to share transformative music experiences with kids in schools
and at the Boys & Girls Club, along with community members at the Yampa Valley Autism
Program and Horizons. Your support also delivered a free Frida Kahlo’s Garden exhibition
with our partners: Yampa River Botanic Park, Integrated Community, Bud Werner Memorial
Library, and Steamboat Creates. These are just a few examples of how our community
benefits from our increasingly expanding programming because of loyal supporters like you.
Your patronage creates audience experiences filled with joy and smiles, laughter and tears,
and the thrill of live music.
All these emotions and experiences are essential to life – and so is Opera Steamboat.
Our deepest gratitude: We are incredibly grateful for each attendee, donor, sponsor,
foundation, and volunteer. Your ongoing commitment to Opera Steamboat allows us to
provide uplifting programming for our community. On behalf of our board and staff, we Jenny Maxwell
sincerely thank you for your continued support. Chair, Board of Trustees
21 Successes in 2021 Thanks To You
1
2nd Annual Voices
of Steamboat
Competition
Opera Steamboat created and produced its second annual Voices of Steamboat
competition and fundraiser to showcase local talent while supporting local
nonprofit organizations.
The singers and the community raised over $16,000 for nonprofits in the area:
Born Free Wildlife Rehabilitation, Child Advocacy Center, Horizons, Northwest
Rocky Mountain CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Opera Steamboat,
Outfitters for Christ, Partners in Routt County, South Routt Education Endowment
Fund, Steamboat Dance Theater, and Yampa Valley Sustainability Council.
2
Virtual Opera
in the Schools
As part of our commitment to deliver programming throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic, Opera Steamboat produced a digital version of the
opera Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World by Illick and Campbell
for our Opera in the Schools program for Routt County and Moffat County
schools. In addition to the performance, administrators, teachers, and
students received educational materials and had an opportunity to
schedule Q&A sessions with the artists.
3
Frida Kahlo’s
Garden
(Art exhibition hosted by
Steamboat Creates)
As part of our Frida Kahlo celebration, Opera Steamboat was proud to be the presenting
organization for the National Endowment for the Humanities “On the Road” traveling exhibition
called Frida Kahlo’s Garden. This exhibition transports visitors to Frida Kahlo’s Garden and allows
them to experience her world as she did. This exhibition was viewed by thousands of people
from all over the state and country. We appreciate the special partnership we had with
Steamboat Creates that allowed us to present the free exhibition at the Depot Art Center
between June 18-August 11, 2021.
4
Frida Kahlo’s
Garden
(Garden installation hosted by
Yampa River Botanic Park)
As part of the Frida Kahlo’s Garden exhibition, Opera Steamboat partnered with the
Yampa River Botanic Park to present the garden installation for this exhibition. This exhibit
showcased the types of plants, pots, and flowers that Frida Kahlo had in her garden. The
plants were potted in traditional terra cotta pots and labeled with U.S. and Mexican
common names and scientific names. We appreciate the special partnership we
established with the Yampa River Botanic Park that allowed us to present the free
exhibition between June 18-August 11, 2021.
5
Our Commitment
to Equity, Diversity,
and Inclusion
We featured our most diverse cast of performers ever during our 2021
season with 30% of our singers and orchestra musicians being artists
of color. Opera Steamboat was the first company in the U.S. to hire all
women conductors for the entire season. We hosted a table at the first
annual Pride Event in downtown Steamboat Springs in June.
6
Opera Artist
Institute
Opera Steamboat welcomed 35 young artists from all around the world for our 2021 Opera
Artist Institute (OAI), which was held in-person for the first time since our 2019 season. Our
Young Artists were selected to participate in one of the five operas along with recitals &
masterclasses. In addition, the artists participated in coaching sessions with our
world-class faculty. The OAI gave performances in venues all around the town, including
Strings Pavilion, Steamboat Christian Center, and the Yampa River Botanic Park.
7
Four Amazing
Female
Conductors
Thanks to a generous grant from OPERA America, Opera Steamboat showcased
all female conductors for the summer’s season: Maria Sensi Sellner, Dana
Sadava, Kristin Ditlow, and Emily Senturia. As the only U.S. opera company to
hire all women conductors, Opera Steamboat is leading the initiative of
normalizing women conductors in our field.8
The Man Who
Mistook His
Wife for a Hat
For this contemporary production staged during our Opera Artist Institute, The
Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat was presented to a full, socially distanced
house at Strings Pavilion. Directed by Emily Pulley, Oliver Sacks’ story of Dr. P’s
visual agnosia was presented along with captivating video by Keith Haynes.
The Man Who
Mistook His Wife
for a Hat
Saturday, July 24 | 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Strings Music Pavilion
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AT OPERASTEAMBOAT.ORG9
La Clemenza
di Tito
Conducted by Emily Senturia, Opera Steamboat presented a concert-version
of La Clemenza di Tito, with guest artist Omar Najmi as the principal role of
Tito. The Opera Artist Institute participants performed in the remaining roles
to a stellar performance of a rarely performed opera by Mozart.
La Clemenza
di Tito
Friday, August 6 | 7:30-10:00 p.m.
Steamboat Christian Center
(821 Dougherty Rd.)
Concert-Style Performance
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AT OPERASTEAMBOAT.ORGThe Magic Flute
10
Sunday, August 8 | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Magic
Steamboat Christian Center
(821 Dougherty Rd.)
Flute
Concert-Style Performance
Conducted by Dana Sadava, Opera Steamboat invited families to join us for our
concert-version, family-friendly comedic opera, The Magic Flute, about love,
truth, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Additionally, three local high school
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student singers joined the production to sing the roles of the child-spirits.
AT OPERASTEAMBOAT.ORG11 The Barber
of Seville
Opera Steamboat presented a fully staged performance of
The Barber of Seville conducted by Maria Sensi Sellner and
featuring Raven McMillon, the most recent Grand Finals
Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council
Competition, as Rosina.12
The Marriage
of Figaro
Conducted by Kristin Ditlow, Opera Steamboat presented a
concert-version of Mozart’s classic, The Marriage of Figaro. This iconic
opera by Mozart is an ideal work for young singers developing their
acting skills and vocal technique at the Opera Artist Institute.13
Vocal Workshops
for the Special
Needs Community
Led by Dr. Dan Comstock, Opera Steamboat provided vocal workshops and
live performance opportunities for special needs clients and their counselors
in partnership with Horizons Specialized Services and the Yampa Valley
Autism Program. We also provided programs for community members living
with Parkinson’s disease.14
Disney Concert
for the Autism
Program
Opera Steamboat invited kids from the Yampa Valley Autism Program to
a concert of classic tunes from Disney films. The kids dressed up as their
favorite characters and listened to songs from films including Frozen,
The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.15
Candy Cane
Carols
(Free performance)
In partnership with Main Street Steamboat, Opera Steamboat presented holiday
cowboy caroling in downtown Steamboat Springs showcasing the talents of
students from the University of Denver. As part of this program, we performed
for residents at Casey’s Pond.16
Launched the
Opera Steamboat
Endowment
As Opera Steamboat continues to grow and expand, the leadership of Opera
Steamboat has established an Endowment Fund to help ensure the organization's
continued operational and financial stability. Gifts made to the Endowment Fund will
be invested in perpetuity and go to support the organization for many years to come.17
Opera Artist
Institute Graduates
Recognized
Opera Steamboat’s 2021 OAI Graduates have been participating in prestigious competitions
since the end of our Summer Festival. Karen Kelley, Sabina Balsamo, and Lizzy Stant have all
competed in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. In addition, Sejin Park won the Second
Prize and Audience Favorite Award from VIII Galina Vishnevskaya International Opera Singers
Competition and will be a resident young artist in 2022 at the prestigious Santa Fe Opera.18
Audience
Growth
· 1,100 students served in Routt and Moffat Counties in our Opera in the Schools program
· 28,000 impressions on YouTube in the last 365 days
· 50,000 reaches on Facebook
· More than 2,500 patrons saw and/or participated in-person at our events during our
2021 Summer Festival19
NEA Award
and
NEA Cares Act
A great honor, Opera Steamboat was one of only two companies in Colorado
to receive the NEA Award and NEA Cares Act Award for 2020-2021. This
award is presented to just 24 opera companies in the U.S. annually.20
Partnerships
A very special thank you the following organizations for partnering
with us to spread the joy of music and opera in our community21
Supporting
Organizations
Opera Steamboat gratefully acknowledges the generosity
of our sponsors, grant funders, and other organizations
A special thanks to our that make our musical arts programs possible!
Keynote partner
· City of Steamboat Springs · National Endowment for the Arts
· Colorado Creative Industries · National Endowment for the
· Craig-Scheckman Family Humanities
Foundation · Steamboat Springs Education Fund
· El Pomar Foundation · OPERA America
· Kettering Family Foundation · Yampa Valley Community FoundationOur 2022 Future is BRIGHT
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