SUPPORTER HIGH NOTES
The College of Music’s Opera Theater Singers (OTS)—the Eklund Opera Program’s community outreach arm—specialize in community engagement opportunities, sharing opera and the performing arts with constituents across Colorado in alignment with our goal to provide professional opportunities for our students. Left to right: OTS Director Jeremy Reger, Tyler Middleton, Davian Raggio, Miguel Ortega Bañales, Hannah Benson, Reagan Hinze and Alice Del Simone.
For more than 20 years, the Eklund Opera Gala has represented a meaningful and enduring partnership between the College of Music and Academy ֲý. Created by Dean Emeritus Dan Sher and Academy Managing Partner Gary Berg, a CU alum—with the support of longtime College of Music advocate Bob Charles—the annual gala was established to raise essential operating support for our opera program, before it was named through the generosity of Paul and Kristina Eklund. This year’s gala continued that proud tradition: OTS students delighted guests with selections by Rodgers and Hammerstein, offering a preview of the joint Eklund Opera and Musical Theatre production of “Oklahoma!” Jeremy Reger, OTS director and pianist, led the evening’s performances showcasing the extraordinary artistry and professionalism of our performers.
The event welcomed a distinguished group of university and community leaders including naming donors Paul and Kristina Eklund;Music Advisory Board Chair Lynn Streeter; Opera Colorado General Director + CEO Barbara Lynne Jamison; Chancellor Justin Schwartz; Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement + Academic Affairs Margot Neufeld; CU Foundation President + CEO Jack Finlaw; College of MusicDean Emeritus Dan Sher;College of Music Dean John Davis; and our Eklund Opera Program Director Leigh Holman.
In addition to the annual gala, our college presents monthly concerts at Academy Mapleton Hill and the Academy University Hill regularly hosts student recitals in its chapel. These collaborations not only sustain vital operating support for our opera program, but also create meaningful opportunities for students to perform, connect with patrons and experience the transformative power of opera in community.
