Lyric Opera of Chicago

Heading into my second season as Lyric Young Professionals Events Chair (and coming off the high of Sunday's wonderful concert in the park), I wanted to share more broadly what it's all about, why it matters, and extend the invitation to join me this season! The arts are how we tell our stories, share our history, and express our feelings in more ways than textbooks and classrooms can cover. We learn essential human lessons through appreciating art, and Opera is a form that encompasses our senses wholly, transporting us in the process. It has been an honor to serve Lyric Opera of Chicago on the Young Professionals Board (LYP) and help share it with our community! While common media portrayals of Opera might have you thinking it requires extravagant clothes and a stuffy attitude, I challenge you to see for yourself how wrong that is. Sure, I love a reason to dress up, but it's by choice, not a requirement. Here in Chicago, where the art scene is so welcoming, there is a particular focus on its accessibility. As a great example, one of the benefits of LYP is heavily discounted tickets, which ensure that price isn't a barrier to entry. You can learn more about LYP here: https://lnkd.in/gZQgjEtg Come see how stories from over a century ago relate to our lives now and how recent social struggles can be thoughtfully portrayed to diverse audiences, uniting us in the experience. This season is full of opportunities to grow our understanding and enjoy a spectacular show. LYP also hosts a number of open events if you're not quite ready for an Opera, but you're curious to learn more and expand your network! Our "Season Kick-Off" is September 18th at City Winery, where I will share some on how Opera is like Cheese… and what to pair with the season. I hope to see many of you at Lyric and LYP events this season! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to start a conversation! (hopefully, you can tell this is one of my favorite topics) #opera #youngprofessionals #cheeseandopera

As summer begins to fade each year, I eagerly anticipate "Sunday in the Park with the Lyric," a truly enchanting evening that showcases the rising stars of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Under the stars, with the majestic backdrop of our glorious city of Chicago, music brought joy to nearly 10,000 attendees who filled the seats and lawn to hear select arias from the 2025 season, conducted by Maestro Enrique Mazzola. NBC News' Lee Ann Trotter and Lyric's Artistic Administration Officer, Matthew Ozawa, warmly welcomed the enthusiastic crowd. Pride swelled as a tenor performed "My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)"—a reminder of our great and diverse city. I sat in awe, reflecting on the generosity of philanthropic leaders who have given so much to support the arts. Until next summer, under the stars. #MilleniumPark #ChicagoCulture #TheArts

I guess I'm a legit arts administrator now that I have an official business headshot. Seems like a good way to celebrate the start of my 3rd season with the title...my 13th overall season working with Lyric Opera of Chicago and our inspiring Chicago Public Schools students and teachers. How time flies. Thanks to Kyle Flubacker for the image. (I'm not a graceful headshot taker, so the thanks is genuine.) Thanks to him for also capturing our Elementary Opera Residency professional development workshop with those inspiring teachers. It's going to be a great year.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is pleased to announce that following an international search, John Mangum has been appointed the company’s fifth General Director, President & CEO. Having held significant artistic and executive leadership roles at some of the country’s foremost performing arts organizations — including the Houston Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic — we look forward to welcoming him to the Lyric family this fall. “On behalf of the Board, I am thrilled to welcome John Mangum to Lyric Opera of Chicago. John’s very strong credentials as a CEO, as well as his artistic management background and music intellectualism, will bring vision, insight, and a fresh perspective to Lyric.” -Sylvia Neil, Board Chair Learn more about John from The Chicago Sun-Times at bit.ly/46qUFsg.

I moderated a panel of opera artists as a board member at the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s YP All Hands Meeting. It was inspiring to engage in conversation with Chris Humbert Jr., a bass-baritone, and Adia Evans, a soprano. Please join us for Verdi’s Rigoletto which begins on September 14th! #lyricopera #opera #chicago

#NationalInternDay, During my time working with Lyric Opera of Chicago I am proud to say that I have shared many great memories and have gained life lessons I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. I’m pleased to be one of this year's Virginia Intern Day Student Ambassadors. This internship has opened me to a world of possibilities, and I can not thank Lyric,Camilla Fernandez, and Randolph College enough for making this opportunity possible. I wish my fellow interns the best, and hope that other interns had just as much of experience as I did.

Happy National Intern Day! Grateful for the incredible journey of working, learning, and growing with all the intern classes at Lyric Opera of Chicago these past two years! #NationalInternDay #LifeatLyric

Grateful for 3 years of growth at Lyric Opera of Chicago! I’m proud I get to play even a small role in making the magic happen at Lyric. Each day brings a new lesson, and I am so lucky that I get to learn from some of the best colleagues in the business, and that I get to call those colleagues my friends. A special shout out to Lyric’s Boards and Events team - you’re the best of the best.

I love Chicago, but I’ll forever be a St. Louis girl in my heart. When our colleagues at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis brought their Artists-in-Training to Chicago on a college tour, I jumped at the chance to show them around Lyric Opera of Chicago. There is little that fills my cup more than a bunch of young singers testing the acoustics of our opera house…especially when they’re from my hometown.

Seems like the perfect post to announce that Lyric’s Fall internships are now open! Come work with us in Development, Artistic Operations/Lyric Unlimited, and People & Culture this season! https://lnkd.in/gQkZftRv