Blog

Meet the Blogger!

Well, ahem, this is uncomfortable. Hi. My name is Amy. (Now you say, in unison and your most Simpson-esque voice, “Hi, Amy.”) I’m the blogging, facebooking, tweeting, pinterest-posting part of Opera Omaha. During an employee transition at the end of 2011, I took over the social media responsibilities for Opera Omaha. I knew less than nothing about most social media. Now I feel comfortable enough to say, “We’ve come a long way baby.” 

This morning, at our weekly staff meeting, I was looking for a blog topic. My darling co-worker, Cammy Watkins, said that I should be the topic and that she was going to write the article. To my horror, she did. Here it is. Meet the blogger!

Written by Opera Omaha’s Production Coordinator, Cammy Watkins.

Do you tweet, Facebook or Pinterest with Opera Omaha?  If so, then you have been interacting with Opera Omaha’s own Social Media Diva Amy Ellefson!  Amy, who celebrates her 1 year anniversary with Opera Omaha on August 25^th, has become the face of Opera Omaha for all things social media!  Not only is Amy keeping the twitterverse  a buzz with pithy commentary, she has also helped many of us “old-timers” reminisce about the shows of yore by posting old production shots on The Facebook. (Yes, I call it The Facebook. Clearly, I’m not as hip as Amy!)

On top of bringing sexy back to opera via the internet, Amy is also the pleasant voice that answers your calls and smiling face that greets you at the door when you visit our offices!  Don’t  think that Amy’s skills are limited to social media and receptionist work.  Amy has a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies and is currently working on a Master of Science in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution. I am sure that this, coupled with her experience during her days in trucking, will make her a force to be reckoned with!  

With 5 children and a husband at home Amy is a busy bee. Amy said this about her busy lifestyle, “Things haven’t changed much since I was 10 years old. I generally spend the traditional school year attending school and the summer playing. I have a husband and five kids so I just have a few more people to spend time with.”

Next time you tweet, post, or pin make sure you give Amy a shout out and if you are planning on going to happy hour invite her a long or be sure to toast the Opera Omaha Social Media Diva!

Amy enjoying popcorn with her youngest son, Ramsey

We made it to Maha!

The weather was gorgeous! The people were friendly and fantastic! The music was astounding! Our experience in the 2012 Maha Music Festival’s community village was the very best part of last week. Really, it was.

You may be wondering what an opera company would be doing at a decidedly non-classical music festival. We have a remedy for your curiosity; photos! Enjoy a few of our favorites from the festival and pop on over to our Facebook page to see the rest. Happy viewing!

For the Facebook album, click here. 

Opera Omaha at the Maha Music Festival

The 2012 Maha Music Festival features a fantastic line up of national, regional, and local bands. This is the festival’s second year in the redeveloped area of Aksarben with the stages and performances happening in beautiful Stinson Park. Maha is run by volunteers and is a non-profit festival.

This non-profit status made the addition of a “community village” to the 2012 festival feel like a natural fit. The community village is an area dedicated to local non-profit organizations that present a broad picture of the culture of Omaha. The staff at Opera Omaha are THRILLED to be part of the festival and to have the opportunity to bring our programs and season to a new audience.

The official Maha blog article about the village is included below as is a link to the festival website. We’ll be there tomorrow. Will you join us?

Enjoy this video from The Mynabirds. This is just one of the marvelous bands playing at the 2012 Maha Music Festival. Don’t miss it!

Maha Music Festival website

An inside look at the Community Village

Maha Music Festival 09 Jul 2012

Attention young ladies ages 12-18!

Ballet Nebraska “Nutcracker” & Opera Omaha Youth Auditions

Choral auditions will be held for Ballet Nebraska’s December production of “The Nutcracker” in conjunction with Opera Omaha Youth Auditions on Sunday, August 19, 2012 between 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. at Motion 41 Dance, 2819 S. 125th Avenue, Suite 256 (near 125th & Center). These auditions are open to girls ages 12-18 and must be scheduled in advance.

Ballet Nebraska will present “The Nutcracker” on November 30, 2012 at the IWCC Arts Center and on December 2, 2012 at the Omaha Music Hall. Ballet Nebraska is looking for 16 young girls to sing as the “Northwind Chorus” during the Land of Snow scene in the production.

J. Gawf, Opera Omaha’s Resident Music Director, will help assemble the chorus for Ballet Nebraska.

Audition requirements:

Girls ages 12-18

One song (w/sheet music for the accompanist) to be performed with piano accompaniment. An accompanist will be provided.

Auditions space is limited and scheduled on first come basis.

Must be available for all rehearsals/performances Oct. 6, Nov. 12, 16, 19, 24 & Nov. 27 – Dec. 2.

Auditions must be requested through e-mail. E-mail Cammy Watkins, cwatkins@operaomaha.org, to schedule an audition.

Photo courtesy of Ballet Nebraska

Meet the Artists: Patience chorus members

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. The Opera Omaha chorus members are the reason that our productions have a true “big opera” feeling, sound, and appearance. We think that they are the most talented and professional group of part-time professional singers on the planet. In short, we can’t do what we do without them.

This blog article introduces you to four of our chorus members for the Monday, July 23 performance of selections from Patience. We are delighted to present chorus members, Brandon Shostak, Megan McGuire, Allison Harvey, and Brett Epperson. Each of them was asked to provide a Twitter-ready 140 character or fewer biography, their favorite musician or music group, and a bit about their first opera experience. The results are below. Enjoy!