Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 12 - Rising Stars

15 | Lyric Opera of Chicago RYAN OPERA CENTER GALA Presenting Sponsors Patrick G. & Shirley Welsh Ryan Lisbeth Stiffel Lead Sponsors Amy & Paul Carbone Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O'Leary Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation Golden Sponsors Philip G. Lumpkin The C. G. Pinnell Family Richard O. Ryan Silver Sponsors Nancy Dehmlow James & Deborah Fellowes Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation Frank B. Modruson & Lynne C. Shigley Margo & Michael Oberman & Family Julian Oettinger Ms. Gay K. Stanek Michael Steinberg & Salme Harju Steinberg Roberta L. Washlow & Robert J. Washlow Bronze Sponsors An Anonymous Donor Robert & Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc. Queta Rodriguez Bauer & Ron Bauer Jonathan Becker Fred & Phoebe Boelter Joyce E. Chelberg Pamela Crutchfield Erika Erich Lafayette J. Ford David & Janet° Fox Mary & Lionel Go Erika Gross James° & Mary Houston Capt. Bernardo Iorgulescu, USMC Memorial Fund Stephen A. Kaplan Catherine Kranz Jennifer Malpass Mayer Brown LLP Jean McLaren & John Nitschke Ms. Cherilyn G. Murer Phyllis Neiman D. Elizabeth Price Richard W. Shepro & Lindsay E. Roberts Dr. Ross Slotten & Ted A. Grady Mark Tatro & Margarita Chavez Tatro Cynthia Vahlkamp & Robert Kenyon Dr. David H. Whitney & Dr. Juliana Chyu Debbie K. Wright GENERAL SUPPORT Anonymous Donors (3) Paul & Robert Barker Foundation Queta Rodriguez Bauer & Ron Bauer Jonathan Becker C. Bekerman, M.D. Kathleen Betterman Mr. & Mrs. Merrill E. Blau Lawrence Corry Pamela Crutchfield Anne Megan Davis Fred L. Drucker & Hon. Rhoda Sweeney Drucker Richard & Ingrid Dubberke Erika Erich Mary & Steve Etherington Patricia Frank Mary & Lionel Go Sue & Melvin Gray The Blanny A. Hagenah Family Fund Lynn Hauser & Neil Ross Mary Ellen Hennessy H. Earl Hoover Foundation James° & Mary Houston Illinois Arts Council Capt. Bernardo Iorgulescu, USMC Memorial Fund Mr. & Mrs. Neil T. Kawashima Kiphart Family Foundation Dr. Katherine Knight Jeanne LaDuke & Carol Stukey Lauridsen Family Foundation John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Blythe Jaski McGarvie Jean McLaren & John Nitschke Helen Melchior Susan M. Miller Frank B. Modruson & Lynne C. Shigley Drs. Bill° & Elaine Moor Drs. Robert° & Marsha Mrtek Ms. Cherilyn G. Murer National Endowment for the Arts Phyllis Neiman Margo & Michael Oberman & Family Carolyn Kae Phillips D. Elizabeth Price Sargent Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Sawyier The George L. Shields Foundation, Inc. Dr. Ross Slotten & Ted A. Grady Dr. & Mrs. R. John Solaro Sunghee Sohn & Benjamin Wasmuth Virginia Tobiason Dr. Catherine L. Webb Alan & Harriet Weinstein Debbie K. Wright ENSEMBLE SPONSORS Anonymous Donors (2) Robert & Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc. Ron & Peggy Beata Fred & Phoebe Boelter Heidi Heutel Bohn Michael Boykins & Charise Studesville Amy & Paul Carbone Pamela Crutchfield Nancy Dehmlow Drs. George Dunea & Sally Meltzer-Dunea Frederick & Dorothy Ford Lafayette J. Ford David & Janet° Fox Patricia Frank Maria C. Green & Oswald G. Lewis Mary Ellen Hennessy James° & Mary Houston Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O'Leary Helen & Bernard Kozloff Family Foundation Mark & Gale Kozloff Philip G. Lumpkin Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Mages Jennifer Malpass Blythe Jaski McGarvie Susan M. Miller Margo & Michael Oberman & Family Julian Oettinger Sheila & David Ormesher Karen Petitte The C. G. Pinnell Family Richard O. Ryan Peter Scheuermann Richard W. Shepro & Lindsay E. Roberts Bill & Orli Staley Foundation Ms. Gay K. Stanek Michael Steinberg & Salme Harju Steinberg Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation Jennifer L. Stone Thierer Family Foundation Virginia Tobiason Cynthia Vahlkamp & Robert Kenyon Donna Van Eekeren Foundation Roberta L. Washlow & Robert J. Washlow Dr. David H. Whitney & Dr. Juliana Chyu Louise Yoder Drs. Joan & Russ Zajtchuk FINAL AUDITIONS Philip G. Lumpkin LAUNCHPAD Lloyd A. Fry Foundation RISING STARS IN CONCERT Lead Sponsor, Donna Van Eekeren Foundation Dr. Scholl Foundation Penelope R. Steiner Thierer Family Foundation Dr. Nora Jaskowiak and Mr. Matthew Hinerfeld Phyllis Neiman RISING STARS IN CONCERT RADIO BROADCAST Donna Van Eekeren Foundation WFMT RECITAL SERIES Julie & Roger Baskes WORKSHOP PERFORMANCES Roberta L. Washlow & Robert J. Washlow VOICE INSTRUCTION Mira Frohnmayer & Sandra Sweet RYAN OPERA CENTER ENDOWMENT FUNDS Dr. C. Bekerman Endowment+ Thomas Doran Endowment+ Boyd Edmonston & Edward Warro Endowment+ James K. Genden and Alma Koppedraijer Endowment+ Bruce Gober MD and Donald Ratner Endowment Fund+ H. Earl and Miriam U. Hoover Endowment Fund J. Thomas Hurvis Endowment Fund, in memory of Richard P. Kiphart Robert and Ellen Marks Ryan Opera Center Vocal Studies Director Endowment, in memory of Gianna Rolandi Lois B. Siegel Endowment Joanne Silver Endowment Drs. Joan and Russ Zajtchuk Endowment+ Contributors Lyric is grateful to the following generous donors for their contributions in support of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, one of the world’s premier artist development programs. The Patrick G.and Shirley W.Ryan Opera Center is partially supported by grants from: Ryan Opera Center Listings include contributors whose gifts of $5,000 and above were received as of February 28, 2026. + Future Planned Gift °Deceased