Founder of Milwaukee Opera Theatre ~ Charissa York Glazner
As a singer in my early 20s, I understood the dilemma most singers my age were in: to land roles in operas we needed to already have experience. The question was how to get the experience in the first place! We started with small ambitions. I got a group of singers together, hired a musical director/pianist, and obtained funding from Supporters of Opera Singers.
That very first production (Cosi fan Tutte, Spring 1999) ended up being fully staged and costumed. It went so well that I decided to incorporate, choose a board, seek further funding, and hold auditions for TWO operas the following year.
From the beginning, a main part MOT's mission has been to be a stepping stone to young singers on their career. That is why I chose operas that would be helpful on a singer's resume. We also did most of our productions in the original language - another plus for early professional singers.
The other big part of why I started MOT, was to make opera more accessible to families. Growing up in a big family, I understood the financial implications of trying to take your kids to the opera. We not only had family-friendly pricing, but we made sure the staging was appropriate for families as well. The super-titles helped opera 'newbies' keep up with what was going on. And that's how Milwaukee Opera Theatre came to be!
Charissa currently lives in Phoenix, AZ with her husband Robbie and their four children.
She teaches voice and helps her husband with their new church plant.
That very first production (Cosi fan Tutte, Spring 1999) ended up being fully staged and costumed. It went so well that I decided to incorporate, choose a board, seek further funding, and hold auditions for TWO operas the following year.
From the beginning, a main part MOT's mission has been to be a stepping stone to young singers on their career. That is why I chose operas that would be helpful on a singer's resume. We also did most of our productions in the original language - another plus for early professional singers.
The other big part of why I started MOT, was to make opera more accessible to families. Growing up in a big family, I understood the financial implications of trying to take your kids to the opera. We not only had family-friendly pricing, but we made sure the staging was appropriate for families as well. The super-titles helped opera 'newbies' keep up with what was going on. And that's how Milwaukee Opera Theatre came to be!
Charissa currently lives in Phoenix, AZ with her husband Robbie and their four children.
She teaches voice and helps her husband with their new church plant.
