OPERA AMERICA ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF ITS
2015 NATIONAL OPERA TRUSTEE RECOGNITION AWARD
John Nesholm, Seattle Opera
James H. McCoy, Hawaii Opera Theatre
Sue Bienkowski, Long Beach Opera
Frank “Woody” Kuehn, Opera Southwest
Bank of America proudly sponsors the
National Opera Trustee Recognition Program
New York, NY—OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2015 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award. Now in its eighth year, this award honors outstanding trustees of U.S. opera companies for exemplary leadership, generosity and audience-building efforts on behalf of their respective opera companies.
The recipients of the 2015 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award are John Nesholm, Seattle Opera; James H. McCoy, Hawaii Opera Theatre (Honolulu, HI); Sue Bienkowski, Long Beach Opera; and Frank “Woody” Kuehn, Opera Southwest (Albuquerque, NM). OPERA America will pay tribute to the 2015 honorees and celebrate their remarkable achievements at a dinner and reception on Friday, February 27, in New York City.
“We are delighted to be joined by Bank of America for the eighth consecutive year in celebrating the significant and enduring contributions of these devoted trustees,” stated Marc A. Scorca, president/CEO of OPERA America. “Successful opera companies depend on effective boards. The National Opera Trustee Recognition Award affords the entire opera community an opportunity to salute and learn from those who have been so generous in their passion for the art form, vision and support of their opera companies.”
Each year, OPERA America Professional Company Members are invited to nominate one of their trustees for this award. One honoree is chosen from each of OPERA America’s four budget levels, recognizing that devoted trustees are an integral part of opera companies large and small.
Through a competitive adjudication process, honorees are selected by the National Opera Trustee Recognition Program committee, led by OPERA America Board Member Carol F. Henry (chairman of the board of directors’ executive committee, Los Angeles Opera). Other committee members include: Elizabeth Eveillard (past chair of the board of trustees, The Glimmerglass Festival), Garry Fredericksen (past president of the board of directors, Indianapolis Opera), Ruth Orth (past chair of the board of trustees, Pensacola Opera) and Fillmore Wood (former vice chairman of the board of directors, Opera Pacific).
“OPERA America’s commitment to recognizing the multifaceted contributions of opera company trustees is inspiring,” stated Ms. Henry. “As an opera company trustee, I understand the level of commitment the nominees make to the art form and to the opera companies they love. Therefore, I am deeply honored to commend their achievements on a national scale.”
The honorees display a significant range of accomplishments, profound generosity and a deep devotion to promoting opera in their communities. The following profiles illustrate just a few examples of their dedication.
John Nesholm, Seattle Opera (Seattle, WA)
John Nesholm has served as board president of Seattle Opera from 1992 to 2005 and is currently in his ninth year serving as board chairman. Mr. Nesholm has carefully guided Seattle Opera with an unwavering focus on financial stability in service of artistic excellence. One of his foremost achievements has been reshaping the cultural landscape of Seattle. His firm LMN Architects served as the lead architect for Benaroya Hall, Seattle’s premier symphonic hall, in 1998; transformed Seattle Opera’s performance space, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, into one of the leading opera houses in the country in 2003; and was the architecture firm of record for the Seattle Public Library designed by the highly acclaimed Rem Koolhaas. Mr. Nesholm chaired the organization’s recent search committee that appointed Seattle Opera’s third general director in its 51-year history. He has also diligently served on Seattle Opera’s facilities committee, finance committee and governance committee, and has presided over the company’s annual meeting for over a decade. Currently, Mr. Nesholm is lending his time, expertise and leadership to a highly collaborative public/private partnership that will relocate the organization’s administration, rehearsal spaces and creative shops to facilities adjacent to its performing space, adding vitality to Seattle’s theater district.
Mr. Nesholm’s support of Seattle Opera has extended well beyond its physical space. His leadership and support of its artistic programs have allowed it to achieve its prominent position among American opera companies while weathering the risks inherent in making great art. Since 1990, the Nesholm Family Foundation has sponsored 26 productions, including lead sponsorship of the 2013 Ring cycle, and the Nesholms have made significant personal gifts, as well. “The support and leadership of John Nesholm stands alone in Seattle Opera history,” remarked General Director Aidan Lang. “No other donor has been as generous with their time, expertise and gifts to the organization.” Mr. Nesholm and his wife, Laurel, have also served as dynamic fundraisers for the company, leading the company’s recent 50th anniversary celebration and gala honoring retiring General Director Speight Jenkins, which earned $1 million in net proceeds. The Nesholms also served as co-chairs of The Campaign for Seattle Opera, which helped the company withstand the recent economic recession by raising over $36 million for operations, endowment and capital.
James H. McCoy, Hawaii Opera Theatre (Honolulu, HI)
Capt. Jim H. McCoy has been a loyal subscriber of Hawaii Opera Theatre since 1988, when he moved to Hawaii upon retiring from the U.S. Navy. He joined the company’s board of directors in 1997 and went on to become treasurer two years later. In 2001, Capt. McCoy was elected board president, a position he continues to hold 14 years later. Throughout his tenure on the board, Capt. McCoy has shown significant leadership in financial terms as well as in governance. He is not only one of Hawaii Opera Theatre’s greatest annual contributors, but he has also been instrumental in galvanizing support among his fellow board members. When the company proposed a contemporary opera series in a downtown Honolulu warehouse, Capt. McCoy both guided the board to approve the project and also pledged significant financial support to make it possible. He likewise steered the company’s plan to create a summer series of musicals and led the campaign to raise funds for the project, which was successfully initiated in 2004. More recently, Capt. McCoy helped to restructure HOT’s opera season, changing it from a festival format to a year-round schedule, which has been a great success with audiences.
Capt. McCoy has also played a key role in guiding the administrative aspects of Hawaii Opera Theatre. As board president, he led the company to establish the new position of executive director to complement the work of the artistic director, enabling the company to prioritize business as well as artistic goals. He also oversaw HOT’s move to new offices at the Hawaii Opera Plaza, a building that now generates significant revenue for the company through rentals.
Sue Bienkowski, Long Beach Opera (Long Beach, CA)
Sue Bienkowski is an enthusiastic philanthropist and board member of several regional and national arts organizations. Ms. Bienkowski is now in her 10th year as board president of Long Beach Opera, and together with Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek, she has transformed the company from a small, local organization to a robust and nationally recognized company. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Bienkowski has cultivated important relationships in order to transform LBO’s board into one that is able to fundraise, promote the company and establish connections to ensure success. As a result of Ms. Bienkowski’s support of fundraising and management efforts, the company has been able to grow in the last 10 years from two to five productions, quadruple its subscriber base and increase its annual budget from $430,000 to $1.5 million. Ms. Bienkowski’s passion and personal generosity as one of its top contributors has been crucial in creating the company’s success.
“What is perhaps most awe-inspiring about Sue is that she is as adventuresome as LBO, inspiring everyone around her to explore the unknown and new,” stated Andreas Mitisek. “Indeed, Sue has always remained steadfast in her commitment to trailblazing, innovative programming.”
Frank “Woody” Kuehn, Opera Southwest (Albuquerque, NM)
After retiring from a 26-year career in venture capital, Woody Kuehn joined the board of Opera Southwest in 2006 and was elected its president in 2007, a position he has held ever since. He has served on the boards of nearly 20 companies, and this extensive experience has informed his strong leadership of Opera Southwest. During Mr. Kuehn’s tenure as president, Opera Southwest has more than doubled its annual budget, allowing the company to dramatically improve its level of artistry; enlarged its board from 12 to 19 members, due in large part to Mr. Kuehn’s recruitment efforts; and increased attendance, resulting in an 80 percent increase in ticket revenue. Mr. Kuehn has also overseen two successful transitions in artistic and administrative staff leadership and a change in performance venue. He has supported Opera Southwest’s artistic leadership in their efforts to explore adventurous repertoire, including the internationally acclaimed resurrection of Franco Faccio’s Amleto (not seen for more than 140 years).
These successes would not have been possible without Mr. Kuehn’s hands-on involvement in the company, particularly in the area of fundraising. He spearheaded Opera Southwest’s recent effort, Fund for the Future, to raise a significant cash reserve of working capital, and he has also been instrumental in overseeing the company’s annual fund. In addition to acting as a key fundraiser and advocate for the company, Mr. Kuehn has also served as a crucial volunteer in the day-to-day operations of the company — from hosting guest artists at his residence to representing the company at rehearsals and performances.
OPERA America’s National Opera Trustee Recognition Program is made possible by the generous support of Bank of America.
Previous National Opera Trustee Recognition Program recipients are:
2014
Michael and Noémi Neidorff, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Ruth W. Orth, M.D., Pensacola Opera
Kenneth G. Pigott, Lyric Opera of Chicago
Robert L. Roschel, M.D., OperaLancaster
2013
Lisa Erdberg, San Francisco Opera
Patricia A. Richards, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
Cherie Shreck, Des Moines Metro Opera
Timothy J. Wagg, Opera North
2012
Elizabeth Eveillard, The Glimmerglass Festival
Joseph and Judy Liff-Barker, Nashville Opera
Susan F. Morris, The Santa Fe Opera
William C. Morris, The Metropolitan Opera
Dr. George R. White, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh
2011
Eleanor “Ellie” Caulkins, Opera Colorado
Jackie Lockwood, Dayton Opera
John I. (Jack) Riddle, PORTopera
Lynn Wyatt, Houston Grand Opera
2010
Jeffrey A. Evershed, Portland Opera
Benjamin Keaton, Long Leaf Opera Company
Fred and Eve Simon, Opera Omaha
Marc I. Stern, Los Angeles Opera
2009
James T. Cody, Jr., The Dallas Opera
Richard Holland, Opera Omaha
Beth Ingram, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
- Guy Rudisill, III, Piedmont Opera
2008
Betty W. Healey, Opera Birmingham
Sally S. Levy, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Jane A. Robinson, Florida Grand Opera
- Whitney Smith, Fort Worth Opera
For more information about OPERA America and its services,
visit operaamerica.org.
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About OPERA America
OPERA America (operaamerica.org) leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera.
- Artistic services help opera companies and creative and performing artists to improve the quality of productions and increase the creation and presentation of North American works.
- Information, technical and administrative services to opera companies reflect the need for strengthened leadership among staff, trustees and volunteers.
- Education, audience development and community services are designed to enhance all forms of opera appreciation.
Founded in 1970, OPERA America’s worldwide membership network includes nearly 200 Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and more than 12,000 subscribers to the association’s electronic news service. In response to the critical need for suitable audition, rehearsal and recording facilities, OPERA America opened the first-ever NATIONAL OPERA CENTER (operaamerica.org/OperaCenter) in September 2012 in New York City. With a wide range of artistic and administrative services in a purpose-built facility, OPERA America is dedicated to increasing the level of excellence, creativity and effectiveness across the field.
