Lyric Opera of Chicago

Seems like the perfect post to announce that Lyric’s Fall internships are now open! Come work with us in Development, Artistic Operations/Lyric Unlimited, and People & Culture this season! https://lnkd.in/gQkZftRv

Happy National Take Your Dog to Work Day with Lyric Opera of Chicago! We rolled out the red carpet for our employees’ furry friends, turning our office into a playground. Sharing the day with our Lyric colleagues and their adorable doggies was a blast. The highlight? Capturing unforgettable group photos during our lively Yappy Hour in the Grand Foyer! 🦮🐾🐶 #LifeAtLyric #takeyourdogtoworkday #peopleandculture #employeeexperiences #employeeengagement #workplaceculture

I’m so excited to share I’ve started my Marketing & PR internship at Lyric Opera of Chicago. It’s been just over a week since my first day, and I’ve already had the opportunity to begin multiple writing projects. This opportunity is especially valuable and important to me because it allows me to use my studies in Writing, Rhetoric, & Discourse for real and practical purposes. Thank you to Camilla Fernandez and the whole team for making me feel so welcome. Looking forward to a great summer ahead!

I remain invested....I remain passionate, and because of that...I will continue to fight. “Afton Battle, Vice President of Lyric Unlimited and Artistic Operations at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, said Slack was chosen because she is an artist with a well-known career and has a passion, a creative way of collaborating and artmaking and an artistic vision that aligns with Lyric Unlimited and its civic engagement activities. Knowing of Karen’s work to amplify female composers and female creatives, the work that she does to amplify artists and creatives of color, especially Black artists and creatives, really resonated with the mission of Lyric Unlimited and this program." Honored to have Karen Slack as Lyric Opera of Chicago Lyric Unlimited Artist in Residence. https://lnkd.in/gM5ysDmr

On May 25, I want to rewind and relive the action-packed highlights from the last two months of the 25th! Starting with March 25, Lyric Opera of Chicago embraced the Holiday Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, in a beautiful celebration of diversity and unity. This Hindu festival, symbolizing the arrival of spring and friendship. Instead of the usual colored powder or water balloons, Lyric staff engaged in a delightful color toss, transforming the Grand Foyer with mesmerizing lively hues. Admist the bursts of color, the air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of samosas and Chai tea from Chiya Chai, adding a flavorful twist to the festivities. Moving on to April 25, Lyric was buzzing with energy as they welcomed over 30 kids for National Bring A Child To Work Day. The children were swept up in a whirlwind of adventure and discovery with an interdepartmental scavenger hunt where they uncovered the magic of costumes and props. Meanwhile, STEAM games and puzzles sparked their imaginations and challenged their minds. A screening of Inside Out provided a captivating journey through the spectrum of human emotions. And last but not least, the day culminated in spirited rounds of Uno, where human connection was formed and language wasn’t a barrier, leaving a heartfelt impression on both the young guests and the Lyric staff alike. These events not only showcases Lyric Opera’s commitment to fostering cultural appreciation and education but also underscores our dedication to creating inclusive and memorable experiences for all. With each event brimming with action and excitement, Lyric had truly set the stage for unforgettable times, where every moment is filled with adventure and possibility. Here’s to many more thrilling celebrations in the months ahead! #LifeAtLyric #holifestival #peopleandculture #employeeexperiences #employeeengagement #workplaceculture #IDEA

Well….the cat is out of the BAG! I have been sitting with this for a while, but I am #thrilledtoannounce that the incomparable Karen Slack will be Lyric Opera of Chicago Lyric Unlimited’s 24/25 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE! This is a year long appointment by which Karen will work closely with me and the artistic team to curate public performances, masterclasses, career development seminars, #kikikonversations💋 and so much more in support of the work of LU’s Learning and Civic Engagement. You can see Karen’s first public engagement on Aug 25 during Lyric’s Sunday in the Park at @millennium_park Read details on Karen’s residency on our website! #GetExcitedChicago https://lnkd.in/gaski-Ri

Upon my graduation from Columbia College Chicago with a B.A. in Music Business , I have completed my 7 month Digital Marketing Internship at Lyric Opera of Chicago. During this internship, I have not only gained applicable skills to further my career but I’ve also grown tremendously as a person. I will be forever grateful for this life-changing opportunity. I got to learn SEO techniques, Website management, UX Strategy, Copywriting, Research skills, CMS systems, Project management, SoundShirt audio technology, Casting & Audition processes, Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Email Marketing and so much more.. I want to sincerely thank my mentors and supervisors from Lyric Opera of Chicago : Samantha Rose Berger , Shannan Moore , Camilla Fernandez, Brad Dunn, Kourtnea Stevenson, Cory Lippiello, CSA for pushing me, believing in me, and allowing me to learn from you. Your guidance and support have been invaluable to my growth as an entertainment professional. I want to thank my wonderful fellow interns Casey Bowman, Mandy Quach, Yazmin Ramirez , Nomin Altansukh , Jalen Scott , who made this experience so special. I know each of you will go far and I’m always here for any of you. But stay tuned though , because I have exciting news to announce 😎

As I wrap up my last day as Lyric Opera of Chicago's Principal Gifts and Gift Planning Intern, I wanted to take a moment and express my deepest gratitude! It's been an amazing journey, I've learned so much from everyone here— a big thank you to my managers who helped and mentored me. Working with Lyric's Development team has put into perspective just how much goes into running a successful opera company. Reflecting on my time here, I am proud of the work I've done, and of all the projects I've worked on and been part of. Together, we achieved significant progress across various projects, including organizing 100 gift agreements, contributing to a Women in Philanthropy research project, streamlining estate accounts, maintaining membership and donation records, and drafting Lyric's first-ever Planned Giving Annual Report. I've also learned to manage numerous briefings, endowment reports, lifetime giving summaries, and many other administrative tasks, ensuring smooth operation. Each project has been an opportunity to learn and grow, and I am grateful for all that each team has shown and taught me. Having the opportunity to interact with our valued Ardis Krainik Society members, listening to their stories, finding out their favorite operas, and learning their reasons for giving was truly an eye-opening experience. Amazing and heartwarming listening to their love for opera. I've had so much fun interacting with and getting to know the rest of the interns, they've made this experience so fun. This is such a bittersweet moment, it's been such an honor to be part of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for the 2023-2024 season. Thank you!!!

Today marks the end of my Winter/Spring Internship as a People & Culture Intern at Lyric Opera of Chicago! During these six months, I gained hands-on experience in talent acquisition and recruiting, including recruiting at university career fairs and taking lead on sourcing and interviewing for three intern roles. I worked within HR operations, working with artist contracts and learning about the functions of unions and labor relations at Lyric. I had the opportunity to help plan employee engagement events such as Bring A Child to Work Day and I learned about what it means to put diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at the forefront of a company's mission. This only scratches the surface of everything I had the privilege of experiencing at Lyric. I am forever grateful to have worked alongside an amazing team in the People & Culture Department, who have each made a lasting impact on my professional and personal growth. A special thank you to my managers, Camilla Fernandez, Charity Franco, and Anh (Kristy) Le for making me feel welcomed and supported at Lyric from the moment I stepped through the door to the moment I left. I could not have asked for a better team and internship program to be a part of! #LifeatLyric

📣 Calling all Lyric Young Professionals members! 📣 Are you passionate about opera? Do you have fresh ideas and a drive to contribute to positive change? Lyric Young Professionals is looking for dynamic individuals like you to join our board as a Member-at-Large. If you're ready to take on a leadership role and make a difference, we want to hear from you. Learn more and apply by Friday, May 17 at bit.ly/4bAGtyp.