ROCopera
Cutting-edge accessible opera in Rochester
This campaign has ended, but you can still make donations by visiting this fundraiser's general support page.
Donate NowROCopera Launch Fund!
Enriching the Rochester arts scene by bringing accessible, innovative, and collaborative opera to the people!
Rochester, NY, US
- $902 raised of $2,000 goal
- 15 donations
- -2286334 minutes left
Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas
We are thrilled to announce the first season of ROCopera, Rochester, NY's new, local opera collective!
ROCopera was created to broaden opera’s reach in the Rochester area by re-imagining and reinterpreting existing classical vocal music through a contemporary lens; by promoting new works for the classical voice; and by bringing opera out of the concert hall and into everyday spaces. We want to create opera that is with, by, and for the people of Rochester.
ROCopera was created to broaden opera’s reach in the Rochester area by re-imagining and reinterpreting existing classical vocal music through a contemporary lens; by promoting new works for the classical voice; and by bringing opera out of the concert hall and into everyday spaces. We want to create opera that is with, by, and for the people of Rochester.
Our inaugural season began – where else – online, at the virtual Keybank Rochester Fringe Festival. Our "Total Request Live (TRL): Opera Edition" was a ton of fun! You voted for your favorite arias, and we presented seven ROCopera singers TRL style, hosted by co-Artistic Directors Elisabeth Halliday-Quan, Heather Holmquest, and Kerri Lynn Slominski.
We're excited to announce the rest of our inaugural, virtual Season!
- In January, we'll present a week-long song cycle festival, featuring local singers and pianists, and partnering with local restaurants for takeout deals perfect for wintery nights at home;
- In March, we'll present a new chamber-length opera, highlighting our soprano and mezzo singers, and partnering with women-owned businesses;
- In May, we'll partner with the Rochester Opera Guild with a ROCopera takeover of their popular Bravo Nights series;
- In July, we'll present a Handel opera... with puppets!! Bring the kids.
- ...and in September we hope to be back at the Fringe Festival, which - fingers crossed - will be able to be in person this time!
With your help funding our launch campaign, we'll be able to commit to:
- Paying our artists! Your local arts community has seen most or all of their revenue dry up since March, and we want to contribute to providing work for local artists, to ensure that they stick around and continue to enrich our community.
- Creating a full season of innovative programming: A launch fund enables us to dream big, and focus on a whole season, rather than just a one-off event. Along with sustaining donors, this is the biggest chance a small arts non-profit has of success!
- Creating something that people want to stick around for: Eastman School of Music is one of the best schools in the country but, without a local opera company, there's little reason for singers to stay in town after graduation. A vibrant opera community gives them the reason to stay, and we are hopeful that we can provide that.
ROCopera is the brainchild of three professional opera singers:
Elisabeth Halliday-Quan, Soprano, works with established and emerging composers to commission and premiere new classical vocal repertoire. She is co-founder and artist of the New York City-based commissioning opera ensemble Rhymes With Opera and trained at the Peabody Conservatory.
Heather Holmquest, Soprano, is a singer, music theorist, and voice pedagogue who has established herself as a sacred and early music specialist. She is the soprano choral scholar at Third Presbyterian Church and trained at Knox College and the University of Oregon.
Kerri Lynn Slominski, Soprano, dominates the stage with commanding force, delightful comedic timing and continues to create memorable performances throughout the United States and Italy. Trained at the Peabody Conservatory and Boyer College of Music and Dance, she strives to make opera accessible to all generations by providing “no-holds-barred” experiences.
Thank you for joining us! It's going to be an awesome ride <3
-Elisabeth, Heather, & Kerri Lynn
Rewards
A very operatic "Happy Birthday"
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
One of our ROCopera singers will call any phone number you provide and serenade an unsuspecting friend (or enemy??) or loved one with the Happy Birthday song, opera-style
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An internet thank-you!
Donate $1.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Arts nonprofits rely on small donations from folks like YOU! Any gift, of any size, will get you publicly thanked on the internet.
1 claimed
Producer credit
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
For a donation of $500 or more, YOU become the producer of one of our 2021 events! Your name will be on all press and marketing materials, and you can *officially* call yourself an opera producer!
0 / 4 claimed