Our Projects

NY Intensive Workshops

In 2008, the New York Intensives were born.  William Wade, who was a phenomenal Broadway vocal coach, pianist, and composer, and I  created these intensives to give my Florida students a New York training experience.  They also served to connect my students with New York agents and managers in both the Broadway and Classical genres.  The staff over the years has included Jamibeth Margolis (casting director), Jody Prusan (talent manager), John Tartaglia (Tony Award winner), Nick Gaswirth (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), and Joseph Peterson (Encompass Opera) to name a few.

Many students who attended these workshops have gone on to successful careers on Broadway and in opera.  They include Thomas Massey (New York City Opera), Sarah Johnson (Teatro grattacielo), Millie Shapiro (Matilda in Matilda at the Schubert Theater), Abigail Shapiro (Cindy Lou Who in The Grinch at Madison Square Garden), Ryan Sell (Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Nicholas Newman (National Tour of the Sound of Music) , Seth Black-Diamond & Caroline Howard (National Tour of A Christmas Story), and Kris Kukul (Beetlejuice conductor/orchestrator at Winter Garden Theater, New York).

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Education & Outreach

The Florida Lyric Opera is dedicated to education by offering everyone the ability to not only learn, but to perform which is one of our best teachers.  We embrace students at all levels of their learning from beginners to professionals.  Education is a lifelong pursuit.
We go out into the community to reach as many people as we can with both performances and opportunities for interaction with the audience.

Project Entertainment

PROJECT ENTERTAINMENT is a professional childrens’ song and dance troupe founded in 1985 under the direction of Linda Switzer.  Project Entertainment has served as the children’s chorus in Amahl and the Night Visitors for several performances with the Florida Lyric Opera.
In addition, Project Entertainment has won many honors which include a spot in the Broadway National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Sam Harris as Joseph.  Several members of Project Entertainment have gone on to have professional careers on Broadway, in the classical arena on television and film, (a weatherman, an NFL player, lawyers, doctors, and teachers).  Brittney Snow of Pitch Perfect fame and Dreama Walker who appeared in Gran Torino are two former members who have had much film and television success.  NFL wide receiver, De’Andre Presley who has played for the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers also was a member.  Tracy Ward who played Little Cosette in the first Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables, was a member in the late ‘80s.  These are just a few of our success stories.
Project Entertainment has volunteered to perform at many fundraising events in the Tampa Bay area.  They are an outreach wing of the Florida Lyric Opera bringing their talent and time to nursing homes and many events in underserved neighborhoods.

Emerging Artists

The Florida Lyric Opera is committed to training and promoting young, aspiring talent.  The Emerging Artists’ program will give young singers a chance to train with the best and perform in main stage and outreach productions.  They will serve as ambassadors for fundraisers and concerts.

Pepe Romero

One of the most celebrated and a versatile musicians of his generation on any instrument, the Spanish-born guitarist Pepe Romero has enjoyed a varied and illustrious career. Together with his father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, and his brothers Celin and Angel, Pepe established the Romeros’ Quartet—the “Royal Family of the Guitar”—as the leading guitar ensemble in the world. Known for classical performances of dazzling virtuosity, compelling interpretations, and flawless technique, Pepe is also a passionate advocate of the traditional flamenco of his native Andalusia. He has appeared as featured soloist with the world’s greatest orchestras and ensembles, in collaboration with the most celebrated conductors and composers.