Caroline Koelkerbecame Managing Director for 'PORTopera' last fall. In this role she is responsible for implementing all aspects of the opera company’s productions, outreach, and fundraising.
Koelker most recently served as event coordinator and development manager for Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA, where she earned her Master of Music in Opera Performance. A native of Maine, she earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Maine in Orono. Koelker is a resident of Westbrook and is a member of The Choral Art Society and Vox Nova.
Board President Ann Elderkin cited Koelker’s in-depth knowledge of opera and fundraising experience as part of the reason for appointing her. “This position requires a great deal of organization, planning, communication and of course, a love of opera. Caroline has all of this, plus energy and enthusiasm.”
Stephen Lord has been chosen by Opera News as one of the "25 Most Powerful Names in U.S. Opera" and is continually praised for conducting both traditional and contemporary operatic works. For his debut with San Francisco Opera, conducting Rigoletto, one critic observed, "He partnered his singers perfectly and gave everything its proper weight - he was master of the score's details and the orchestra played superbly for him."
He made his debut with PORTopera conducting Lucia di Lammermoor in 2003, then returned in 2005 for Carmen, 2011 for Daughter of the Regiment, 2014 for Rigoletto and 2015 for Tosca. He will conduct Carmen this upcoming July 27 and 29.
He is currently music director for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and formerly was music director of Boston Lyric Opera. He was recently named artistic director of opera studies at New England Conservatory, overseeing all aspects of the opera training program and conducting one main stage production a year.
In 2015-16 he was re-engaged by English National Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, and a concert for Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. His 2013-14 engagements included the Seoul Arts Center (South Korea), the Canadian Opera Company, a gala concert with the San Francisco Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Santa Fe Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Juilliard School opera program.
Stephen Lord made his New York City Opera debut in 2004. Other career highlights included appearances at Wolf Trap Opera in Vienna, Virginia, the Canadian Opera, Opera Colorado, Michigan Opera Theatre, Florentine Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Pacific, Cleveland Opera and Arizona Opera. He has also been a guest with the Boston Pops.
On Friday, Tessy Seward provided us with a window into her work with incarcerated young people at Long Creek Youth Center. Her organization, Maine Inside Out, is a nine-year-old group that brings theatre and reflective performance to Youth Center residents. The group has expertise in the areas of theater and arts, as well as, in counseling and social work, an important combination of skills for working with this population.
The group’s goal is to break boundaries – both physical and psychological– using theater. According to Seward, “Incarceration isolates people and silences their voices” and theater helps to increase connection and collaboration. The program is based on collaborative working though game playing, improvisation, writing, poetry, and music. It builds trust and relationship skills as the kids come together to perform for their peers and, sometimes, the public. The approach is based on the “Theatre of the Oppressed” model conceived by Brazilian director Augusto Boal in the 1960’s, and their work at Long Creek has now been seen by more than 4000 people since the program started.
An important element of the program is that after they are released, former Long Creek residents can continue to work together under the auspices of Maine Inside Out, finding continuity and support as they navigate the challenges of life outside. The process of being reintegrated after incarceration is a significant challenge for every Long Creek kid. “You are better equipped to handle the difficulty of this transition if you have a group of adults and peers you can trust” said Seward. “The weekly sessions for these young people are a refuge.” These sessions include some creative work as well as discussion, a meal, and more.
Funding comes from a school contract with the Long Creek, a “bunch of foundation grants,” and from individual donors. Audiences often include judges, probation officers, parents and the public. The key to success, says Tessy, is including an element of non-judgmental “loving presence” where “people’s gifts are noticed and reflected.”
Russ Burleigh delivered our invocation and Past President Bowen led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Laura welcomed 46 club members, along with Michael Greer, guest of Don Zillman, and potential new member; Megan Suay, guest of Nan Heald. Tom Broadway and Kirk Duffy returned as visiting Rotarians.
President Laura shared the names of those who worked behind the scenes to take care of all the logistics of the meeting. She also called everyone’s attention to the photographs on the club Facebook page showing the volunteers who participated in the North Deering Gardens Reading Project. Don Lowry, Katie Brown, Dave Small, Jan Chapman, Bowen Depke, Glenn Nerbak, Laura Young share their time to read to young people eager to learn. Laura shared the story of a young Muslim girl who was thrilled to see girls dressed like her in one of the books Laura read.
Janet Butland tried to give $488 away in our weekly raffle to Alan Levenson, but he couldn't find the Queen of Hearts, so the pot grows bigger.
George Carr shared a "Rotary Moment," and noted that since he is responsible this year for this part of the program, it was only fitting he should be the first to speak. He said volunteers were welcome. George built on the theme President Laura advanced last week, “Why Rotary?” George said that for him Rotary was a flexible moment in his week; a time to meet members, help people, and an opportunity to learn. He said he loved the diversity of speakers and topics as a way to learn more. “Rotary is a special way to meet people,” he said.
President Laura passed on a request from the Fundraising Committee for members bring to the Friday meetings event tickets to which they will be unable to attend, so they may be auctioned off as an ad hoc fundraiser for the club. There being no difficulty in finding suitably-qualified auctioneers.
Invocation: Gracie Johnston Program Reporter: Erik Jorgensen Bits & Pieces Reporter: Ben Lowry Registration/Greeter: Jake Bourdeau Sell Meal Tickets: Jan Chapman Raffle: Tom Nickerson Badge Box: Leonard Scott Collect Meal Tickets: Chris Thomas Song Leader: Gracie Johnston Pianist: Russ Burleigh Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Mike Fortunato Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Justin Lamontagne
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor) Danielle Conway Dean & Professor of Law, USM (Bowen Depke)
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
CHE Food/Reading Tuesdays and Thursdays
N. Deering Gardens(11:15-12:15)
Caroline Koelker became Managing Director for 'PORTopera' last fall. In this role she is responsible for implementing all aspects of the opera company’s productions, outreach, and fundraising.
On Friday, Tessy Seward provided us with a window into her work with incarcerated young people at Long Creek Youth Center. Her organization, Maine Inside Out, is a nine-year-old group that brings theatre and reflective performance to Youth Center residents. The group has expertise in the areas of theater and arts, as well as, in counseling and social work, an important combination of skills for working with this population.
Janet Butland