Opera Western Reserve

==Opera Western Reserve== Opera Western Reserve (OWR) is a prominent opera company based in Youngstown, Ohio, known for its high-quality opera productions and significant contributions to arts education and artist training. The company was founded following the success of two opera events in Youngstown: a production of "Madama Butterfly" at Youngstown State University and a dinner theater production of "La Traviata" by the Youngstown Opera Guild in the Stambaugh Auditorium’s Grand Ballroom. Inspired by these events, a group of opera enthusiasts came together to establish a dedicated opera company for the region. OWR made its debut on November 12, 2004, with a fully-staged production of "I Pagliacci" on the main stage of Stambaugh Auditorium. The company was fortunate to secure the talents of Susan Davenny Wyner, a conductor of the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra with a background that included singing with the Metropolitan Opera Company, as its musical director. David Vosburgh, with experience in both opera and Broadway musicals and who was directing spring operas at Youngstown State University, joined as Production Director. A key aspect of OWR's mission is its focus on education and community engagement. The company established a Young Artists Company, a group of six to eight singers and accompanists who deliver an educational outreach program titled "Fun with Opera" to schools in the tri-county area. This initiative, completely underwritten and offered at no charge, aims to introduce opera to children and young adults. The Young Artists also perform concerts for local organizations and play supporting roles in OWR's Main Stage productions. OWR has garnered a reputation for the quality and scope of its productions and for attracting talented artists, many of whom have leveraged their experience with the company to secure engagements with larger national opera companies. The company prides itself on being an educational institution and has been instrumental in providing performance opportunities to professional artists from northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The mission of Opera Western Reserve is threefold: to produce opera performances of the highest quality for audiences in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania; to provide a platform for professional artists from the region; and to take a leadership role in artist training and audience development. OWR also aims to foster partnerships with the Youngstown Opera Guild and other arts organizations within the same geographical scope. Opera Western Reserve continues to receive financial and in-kind support, and its audience base has been growing steadily. The company's success is a testament to its role in enriching the cultural landscape of the Mahoning Valley and its surrounding areas.