Faculty and guest artists
A notable roster of faculty and guest artists provide Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members with comprehensive training that prepares the artists for successful careers. Their unparalleled training includes master classes and private coachings with Ryan Opera Center Advisor Renée Fleming, Lyric Opera of Chicago Music Director Sir Andrew Davis, and other celebrated artists; voice lessons, acting, movement, and audition classes with distinguished instructors; intensive language instruction; and repertoire coaching from acclaimed resident staff.
Administration
Dan Novak
Director, The Ryan Opera Center Board Endowed Chair
Craig Terry
Music Director
The Jannotta Family Endowed Chair
Renée Fleming
Advisor at Large
Susanna McNatt
Manager
Annika Donnen
Associate Librarian
Faculty
Julia Faulkner
Vocal Instruction
Robert and Ellen Marks Ryan Opera Center Vocal Studies Program Endowment
Debora Birnbaum
Renée Fleming
Enrique Mazzola
Gerald Martin Moore
Guest Master Artists
William C. Billingham
Alan Darling
Brent Funderburk
Laurann Gilley
Jonathan Gmeinder
Susan Miller Hult
Noah Lindquist
Celeste Rue
Eric Weimer
Coaching Staff
Isabelle Druc
Julia Savoie Klein
Derek Matson
Alessandra Visconti
Foreign Language Instruction
Nicola Bowie
Peter McClintock
Evan Mills
Julia Morales
Nick Sandys
Acting and Movement Instruction
Orit Carpenter
Beth Clayton
Performance Psychology
Katrina Bachus
Rachel A. Tobias
Production Mentors
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Board of Directors
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Board is led by longtime Lyric supporter, Donna Van Eekeren. Since its inception in 1974, the Ryan Opera Center has been recognized as one of the premier professional artist development programs in the world. Each season, several current and former Ensemble members perform important roles in Lyric's mainstage productions. The Board takes great pride in helping to nurture the talents of the best emerging artists of the next generation.
Master Classes with Sir Andrew Davis
Master Classes with Sir Andrew Davis
Lyric takes you behind the scenes as Music Director Sir Andrew Davis leads a series of one-on-one master classes with Ensemble members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, one of the premier professional artist-development programs in the world. Working with the artists on one of his favorite operas, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Maestro Davis shares detailed insights to help them prepare for international careers.
Provide the stars of tomorrow with your support today
Provide the stars of tomorrow with your support today
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center prepares emerging artists for careers in opera by providing unique, comprehensive training. Your gift helps offset the expense of maintaining the high quality of Lyric’s stellar professional artist-development program.
Photo: Kyle Flubacker