named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Aria Slams
Free events providing emerging opera singers a platform to rehearse and perform arias in a supportive environment, with audience access behind-the-scenes
Beat the Blahs
Opera film screening series held at Pittsford Community Center to enliven winter Sundays with classic productions
Bravo Nights
Free performances held three times a year at The Little Café showcasing emerging local opera singers
Glimmerglass Trip
Annual organized trip to the Glimmerglass Festival featuring orchestra seats, meals, transportation, and optional preview talks
Lecture/Listening Series
Free spring lecture series offering historical, musical, and dramatic context for operas and composers, held at Brighton Memorial Library
Met Live in HD Meet-ups
Informal pre-screening gatherings at Tinseltown with refreshments, enabling opera-goers to connect and discuss upcoming Met broadcasts
Viva Voce
Online magazine dedicated to opera, distributed to several thousand subscribers in the Rochester area
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Professional Opera and Operetta Production 3 activities
- Hosts performance events for emerging opera talentOrganizes and hosts free public performance events including Bravo Nights, Aria Slams, and special recitals to showcase rising local opera singers and provide professional development opportunities.
- Organizes group excursions to opera festivalsPlans and hosts group trips to attend performances at the Glimmerglass Festival, including post-performance gatherings such as dinners at the Brewster Inn.
- Promotes opera and classical vocal music through community programmingSupports and promotes opera presentations, fosters community appreciation, and provides educational programming in the Greater Rochester area, including lectures, film screenings, and recitals.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Produces and distributes opera-focused digital magazinePublishes Viva Voce, an online magazine dedicated to opera, providing free access to subscribers and maintaining an archive of past issues for public viewing and download.
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Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
- Provides financial support to regional opera performancesFunds regional opera productions and performances, including support for the Finger Lakes Opera, Rochester Oratorio Society, and Glimmerglass Festival.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Organizes cultural engagement events around opera broadcastsHosts pre-screening meet-ups and social gatherings for Met Live in HD opera simulcasts and other opera video presentations, including intermission refreshments and group viewing experiences.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$162K
Contributions & grants$111K69%
Program service revenue$20K12%
Investment income$31K19%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$77K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$40K
balance sheet
Total assets$301K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$301K
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +182.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- ART AXELROD — Trustee
- CINDY BATTISTI — Trustee
- CONSTANC FEE — Trustee
- HELGA STRASSER — Trustee
- JESSICA MOSS — Trustee
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Asbury Church Partner — Hosts the Holiday Bravo recital on December 13, 2025.
- Asbury First United Methodist Partner — Host venue for the Aria Slams event.
- Drs. Margaret and Arnold Matlin Funder — Generous donors who underwrite the Meet-ups program.
- Eastman Opera Theatre Partner — Collaborates with Eastman Opera Theatre through performances by Eastman students and musical direction by Wilson Southerland.
- Eastman School of Music Partner — Collaborates with artists trained at the Eastman School of Music, such as Mark Daniels.
- Eastman School of Music Partner — Collaborates with the Sibley Music Library at Eastman School of Music for lecture content.
- Eastman School of Music Partner — Faculty members have led masterclasses featuring artists associated with the Opera Guild.
- Finger Lakes Opera Partner — Features the Artistic Director of Finger Lakes Opera as a speaker in the lecture series.
- Finger Lakes Opera Partner — Financially supports the 2025 production of Rigoletto.
- Glimmerglass Festival Partner — Collaborates with the Opera Guild of Rochester to host group attendance at performances, including special arrangements for matinee shows.
- Glimmerglass Festival Partner — Receives support for regional opera performances.
- Metropolitan Opera Partner — Collaborates by supporting artists who perform with the Metropolitan Opera, including in productions such as La Traviata.
- Peabody Conservatory Partner — Alumni affiliation and performance connection through artist Jessica Moss.
- Pittsford Community Library Partner — Hosts special recitals such as the August 2025 performance with soprano Jessica Moss.
- Rochester Institute of Technology Partner — Features Jessica Ann Best, who is on the voice faculty at RIT, in performances.
- Rochester Oratorio Society Partner — Receives financial support from Opera Guild of Rochester.
- The Little Café Partner — Hosts Bravo Nights performances.
- Tinseltown Partner — Hosts pre-screening meet-ups for Met Live in HD events.
- Town of Pittsford Partner — Co-sponsors and hosts the Beat the Blahs series at the Pittsford Recreation Center through its website and registration system.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts Education as Gateway to Appreciationmethodology: arts-education-outreachBy using educational programming and curated publications to explain and contextualize opera, the organization increases public understanding and engagement, because audiences are more likely to connect with and value the art form when provided with accessible context and background.
- Community Engagement Through Accessible Formatsmethodology: community-engagement-through-accessible-venuesBy offering free performances, informal gatherings, and curated video screenings in relaxed settings, the organization lowers barriers to entry and fosters broader public engagement with opera, because accessible and low-pressure experiences encourage participation from new and lapsed audiences.
- Supportive Artistic Development Environmentmethodology: supportive_artistic_developmentBy creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for emerging opera professionals, the organization enhances artistic growth and career readiness, because early-career artists thrive when provided with structured support and professional mentorship.