Young Patronesses of the Opera
Proudly presents the 68th Annual Gala
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Ritz Carlton Hotel Coconut Grove, Florida
President’s Welcome
Dear Friends,
Welcome and bienvenue to the 68th Young Patronesses of the Opera Gala, “Rendezvous at the Paris Opéra ~ The Pink Diamond Affair”. We are delighted to be with you this evening. Your generous support will help YPO continue our mission of promoting opera and providing music education to children and our community. We dedicate this evening to the members of the Educator of Note Award Committee in celebration of the committee’s 30th Anniversary of annually recognizing outstanding South Florida music educators. Brava ladies!
Our Gala Chairs Lisa Coots, Maria Fernandez Gomez, and Jae Lofton have planned an incredible evening here at the beautiful Ritz Carlton Hotel in Coconut Grove. Our theme celebrates the magnificent Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, French operas, and the cultural and artistic contributions of France. As a french proverb notes, “Where there is music, there can be love.”
YPO’s programs include In-school Opera performances to more than 20,000 elementary school children, a Teachers Workshop to assist educators broaden children’s horizons by exposing them to opera, Girl Scouts Workshops to expose young women to the art form and potential career options, and our biennial National Voice Competition, which will be held in April of 2024. This program year, YPO will publish its first Opera Funtimes book featuring the work of an African-American composerScott Joplin and his opera “Treemonisha.” In addition to our impactful education and community programs, YPO is conducting an All Access Opera Project to assess how we can include and create sensory friendly programming designed for children and families with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other neuro-diversities. We will share our insights with our partners, including the Florida Grand Opera and Magic City Opera. We are very excited about the prospect of exposing even more children and community members to the joy of opera music.
The arts and YPO’s work supporting and promoting opera uplift, unify, and amplify our common connections and the human experience. The love of opera, the importance of service, and the bonds of friendship are the core strengths of YPO. I thank our benefactors for your leadership, philanthropy and faith in our work. I also appreciate our advisors, guests, sponsors and performers for their support, talents, and encouragement of our mission.
With love and friendship,
Lisa Hogan
Gala Chairs
Lisa Coots
Maria Fernandez Gomez
Jae Lofton
Benefactor Party Committee
Carmen Ortiz
Marta Alfonso
Marjourie Gouraige
Maribel Maldonado
Maria del Carmen Mayoral
Gala Advisors
René Beal
Marlene Berg
Leatrice Damus
Deborah Hasty
Barbara Reese
Lurenda Turner
Lise-Marie Wertanzl
Auction and Technology Administrator
Maria Elena Perez
Database Coordination
Francesca D’Agata
Maria Sanchez de Varona
2023 Gala Chairs
Maria Fernandez Gomez
Jae Lofton
Lisa Coots
Palais Garnier Opera House
More than 150 years after its construction, the Opéra National de Paris continues to fascinate its visitors. The gorgeously opulent Palais Garnier is among the finest monuments in Paris, but also its most mysterious. This 1,900-seat opera house is home to much more than the largest stage in all of Europe.
The glamorous Opera Garnier was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III as part of his project of reconstruction of Paris. To build the new Paris Opera House, a competition for the best design was conducted in 1860. The competition winner was Charles Garnier, a young and unknown architect who presented a highly eclectic project borrowing elements from many historical sources. The Opera Palais Garnier was completed in 1874 and today is considered a masterpiece of Neo-Baroque Architecture. The palace was the residence of the Paris Opera until 1989, when the Bastille Opera House was built. The Paris Opera Palais Garnier is now mainly used for ballet.
Exterior: The large copper dome that overspans the auditorium is topped with a statue of Apollo holding up a lyre. He was the god of music, poetry (and of the sun) in Greek mythology. The two gold gilded statues that crown the pavilions are from French sculptor Charles-Alphonse-Achille Gumery. They represent Harmony and Poetry.
The Grand Staircase: The white marble staircase with its red and green marble balustrades first leads to the orchestra. Two large statues of women representing tragedy and comedy frame the exit. Elegant candelabras held by graceful female statues illuminate the stairs. The true piece de resistance, the most flamboyant of all rooms in the Opera House, is the Grand Foyer. It rivals the hall of mirrors at Versailles. The fresco on the high ceiling depicts the history of music.
Auditorium: The opulent auditorium features red velvet decor with plush seats and gold leaf accents. The centerpiece of the auditorium is the elaborate chandelier. It is a bronze and crystal masterpiece, designed by Garnier himself and weighs 7 tons. The current ceiling mural is not the original one. The first mural, “Hours of the Day and Night” by Lules-Eugene Lenepveu, adored the ceiling for almost a century. But another artist Marc Chagall was commissioned to create a modern mural. It is an ode to music and features composers, instruments, scenes from operas and ballets as well as some Parisian landmarks.
The falling chandelier in “The Phantom of the Opera” was based on a real event. In 1896, during a performance of Étienne-Joseph Floquet’s opera “Hellé,” a short-circuit caused a counterweight from the chandelier to fall, killing a woman in the audience and injuring several more people. Reporting on the event was Gaston Leroux, then a journalist with a Paris newspaper. In his play, “The Phantom of the Opera,” it is the Phantom who dislodges the chandelier from the ceiling.
The elusive lake: The mysterious lake that inspired Gaston Leroux in his “Phantom of the Opera” does actually flow under the Opera House. It is an enormous artificial reservoir.
Artist Edgar Degas: Music was a lifelong passion for impressionist painter Degas. Over half of his published works are of Paris Opera ballet dancers. From its inception, the academy staged operas that integrated music and dance, and as the genre developed over the next two centuries, French opera audiences continued to expect ballet sequences alongside arias. For Degas as well as many of his contemporaries, the ballerinas remained a key attraction of French opera.
Young Patronesses of the Opera
Executive
Officers
2023-2024
Lisa Hogan President
Marta Alfonso Vice President
Beverley Cardona Recording Secretary
Bea Schmied Corresponding Secretary
Anna Fateeva Treasurer
Maria Elena Perez Financial Secretary
YPO HISTORY
In the mid-1950’s, Dr. Arturo di Filippi, the man responsible for bringing opera to Miami, approached a group of women and asked them to form an opera support organization. Thus was born the “Young Patronesses of the Opera”, a social volunteer organization whose primary goal is to promote opera education and ensure that young people and adults are prepared for what they will see and hear on stage. The formal organization of YPO provides the vital financial and personnel network to enable a variety of opera educational activities to prosper.
Perhaps the most recognizable educational tool sponsored by the Young Patronesses of the Opera is the “In-School Opera” which began in 1975. We offer extensive programs of children’s opera, which include a professional cast of singers who perform for over 15,000 elementary school children in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties each year.
Additionally, since 1966, YPO has sponsored Girl Scout Workshops, enabling hundreds of Girl Scouts to earn their opera patches. In 1978, YPO began publishing the “Opera Funtime,”, an activity book for elementary school children. It tells the story of an opera through the use of history, geography, poetry and short musical scores. Each season the YPO Education Committee chooses one of the operas performed by the Florida Grand Opera as the subject of the year’s Opera Funtime.
Ot her YPO projects include an annual “Teachers’ Workshop” which aids Miami-Dade music teachers in sharing the wonder of opera with our children. We also conduct a biennial Voice Competition of national renown, awarding over $40,000 in scholarships to aspiring opera singers.
As one of the oldest and most respected organizations in South Florida, YPO has IRS tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization. With no professional staff, its volunteer members handle all YPO organizational functions. The members support YPO’s educational efforts and budgetary needs, as well as supporting Florida Grand Opera, through fundraising efforts, donations and grants. The annual gala, YPO’s largest fundraising event, is one of the most prestigious in the Miami community.
Past Presidents
Thank you for your tremendous dedication to YPO over the years. We appreciate you!
Mrs. Audrey Salley Stone * 1956 - 1957
Mrs. Roberta Rymer Balfe * 1957 - 1958
Mrs. Joan Caldwell * 1958 - 1959
Mrs. Peggy Hancock * 1959 - 1960
Mrs. Betty Patton * 1960 - 1961
Mrs. Janet Carl * 1961 - 1962
Mrs. Margie Pierce * 1962 - 1963
Mrs. Peg Parsons * 1963 - 1964
Ms. Gloria Llewellyn * 1964 - 1965
Mrs. Pat Patty * 1965 - 1966
Mrs. L ouise Todaro * 1966 - 1967
Mrs. Alice Carney * 1967 - 1968
Mrs. Marlene Stone * 1968 - 1969
Mrs. L orna Robertson * 1969 - 1970
Mrs. Penny Angleton Behrend * 1970 - 1971
Mrs. Joan Elias * 1971 - 1972
Mrs. Roz Spak * 1972 - 1973
Ms. Margaret Ross Rente 1973 - 1974
Mrs. Elda Martinez * 1974 - 1975
Mrs. L oraine Kayal 1975 - 1976
Mrs. Jackee Major * 1976 - 1977
Mrs. Jane Robinson 1977 - 1978
Mrs. Joy Hooper 1978 - 1979
Ms. Joy Glass 1979 - 1980
Mrs. Patty Harrison * 1980 - 1981
Mrs. Arlene Mendelson 1981 - 1982
Mrs. Julie Gaby * 1982 - 1983
Mrs. Suzie Sayfie 1983 - 1984
Mrs. Judy George 1984 - 1985
Mrs. Joan Morrison 1985 - 1986
Mrs. Norma Jean Ober Stone 1986 - 1987
Mrs. Renee Gross 1987 - 1988
Mrs. Christy Powell 1988 - 1989
Mrs. Karyn Herterich 1989 - 1990
Mrs. Graciela Pinilla 1990 - 1991
Mrs. Maria Carbonell 1991 - 1992
Mrs. Janis Ramirez 1992 - 1993
Mrs. Sheri Swanson 1993 - 1994
Mrs. Donna Cullen 1994 - 1995
Mrs. Maggie Blake 1995 - 1996
Mrs. Linda Levy Goldberg 1996 - 1997
Mrs. Patricia Pita 1997 - 1998
Mrs. Gena Kuczwanski 1998 - 1999
Mrs. Janice Russell 1999 - 2000
Ms. Amy Block 2000 - 2001
Ms. Danette Brockhouse 2001 - 2002
Mrs. Lucie Spieler 2002 - 2003
Mrs. Susan Wampler 2003 - 2004
Mrs. Kathy McGilvray 2004 - 2005
Mrs. Barbara Reese 2005 - 2006
Mrs. Holly Evans 2006 - 2007
Mrs. Ana Moran Varela 2007 - 2008
Mrs. Debbie Campbell 2008 - 2009
Ms. Julie Todaro 2009 - 2010
Dr. L ee Ann Schaffhausen 2010 - 2011
Ms. Rebecca Spinale 2011 - 2012
Mrs. Kristin Podack 2012 - 2013
Mrs. Patricia Mederos 2013 - 2014
Mrs. Lisa Wheeler 2014 - 2015
Mrs. Barbara Reese & Mrs. Debbie Campbell 2015 - 2016
Mrs. René Beal 2016 - 2017
Mrs. Gail Piñon 2017 - 2018
Mrs. Lise-Marie Wertanzl 2018 - 2019
Mrs. Marianne Kircher 2019 - 2020
Ms. Amal Solh Kabbani 2020 - 2021
Mrs. Carolina Friedholf 2021 - 2022
Mrs. L aurel Auerbacher & Mrs. Debby Magenheimer 2022-2023 * Deceased
Rendezvous Ball Committee
Marta Alfonso
Josie Alvarez
Laurel Auerbacher
Paula Barrera Scheer
Mary Beth Burke
Amy Block
Treva Burke-Harrell
Violeta Cepeda
Leslie Cooper
Francesca D’Agata
Mary Anne Danguillecourt
Suzette Fandino
Anna Fateeva
Carolina Friedhoff
Donna Ginn
Marjorie Gouraige
Danielle Krause
Natasha Makrymichalos
Adriana Mantilla
Maribel Maldonado
Lauren Marsicano
Maria del Carmen Mayoral
Georgia McLean
Claudia Morean
Adriana Muinos
Carmen Ortiz Butcher
Maria Elena Perez
Leigh Pollack
Maria Sanchez de Varona
Patricia Scerpella
Amal Solh Kabbani
Consuelo Tarazona
Barbara Waters
Subcommittee Chairs
Advertising
Lisa Coots, Georgia McLean and Lauren Marsicano
Auction
Maria Fernandez Gomez, Maria Elena Perez, Leigh Pollak and Adrianna Mantilla
Basket Party
Mary Anne Danguillecourt and Barbara Reese
Favors / Gifts
Amal Solh Kabbani, Carolina Friedhoff, Deborah Hasty and Angeliki Aninou
Production
Lisa Coots, Lisa Hogan and Lurenda Turner
Reservations
Lisa Coots and Rene Beal
Vignettes / Trunk Show Pop up
Jae Lofton and Lee Damus
Entertainment
Danielle Krause and Lucie Spieler
Publicity / Social Media/Branding
Natasha Makrymichalos and Patty Scarpella
A Message to YPO from the Florida Grand Opera
Dear Friends:
It is an honor to extend my warmest wishes as your rejoice in your gala celebration with a Rendezvous at the Paris Opera. What a wonderful way to begin the YPO season.
I have always admired the mission of YPO and your philosophy of inclusion in everything you do. We are very fortunate to have a group of women so committed to cultivating and promoting a love and understanding of opera through your inspiring community programs.
In the words of Maya Angelou - “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” We are so fortunate that YPO, does this again and again each year.
Enjoy your gala evening and thank you for all you do for the community and for Florida Grand Opera.
Warmest Wishes,
Susan T. Danis General Director and CEO
Benefactors
Edgar Degas Sponsors - $10,000
The Alexander Dumas Sponsor - $5,000
Miami Dade County
Trish and Dan Bell
Swanee DiMare
Benefactors
Edgar Degas Level Sponsor - Trish and Dan Bell
For more than 40 years, Trish and Dan Bell have been actively committed to enhancing our community through their leadership service and their generous philanthropy. Their primary focus has been on providing opportunities to improve the lives of underserved persons who otherwise lack the resources and support to achieve significant improvement on their own. The Bells are Co-Chairs of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, where for twelve years they led the effort to create the new Science Museum in the heart of Miami. They also both served on the Board of Trustees of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home for six years, and for more than 15 years they have been the principal advisors and financial supporters of Branches, a multi-site organization supporting underserved children, youth and their families. Trish also is Past Chair, and now active Chair Emeritus, of the Board of Trustees of Chapman Partnership, widely recognized as one of the nation’s most effective organizations for assisting the homeless. Trish and Dan now serve together on the Board of Trustees of the FIU Foundation, and Trish also serves on the Foundation Board for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and on the Steering committee of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle.
The B ells provide significant philanthropic support to a wide range of community service and cultural organizations. Among the recipients of their largest gifts are the United Methodist Church, Chapman Partnership, Branches, the Miami Science Museum, and Baptist and Jackson hospitals. Most recently, the Bells became the principal funders of a new multi-faith Trish and Dan Bell Chapel now being constructed on the main campus of Florida International University.
As a result of their impact in the community, the Bells have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. “Humanitarian Award”; Miami-Dade’s “Outstanding Philanthropists;” MCCJ’s “Silver Medallion Humanitarian” award; Miami’s “Power Couple” by Big Brothers Big Sisters; and a “Lifetime Achievement” award from the FIU Robert Stemple College of Public Health. Branches’ annual “Community Empowerment Award” has been named in honor of Trish and Dan since 2015. In 2018, the Bells were awarded honorary doctorates degrees from Siena Heights University (Siena, Michigan) and in 2019, Miami Dade College also presented Trish and Dan with honorary degrees -- all of them in recognition of the Bells’ service and philanthropy. In 2023, the Bells were recognized by the Red Cross with its Humanitarian Award, and they will be inducted into the Red Cross National Chairman’s Council in 2024.
Trish has also received numerous individual recognitions for her service to the community, including among many, Barry University’s “Laudare Medal;” Miami Today’s “Gold Medal” recipient; Plaza Health’s “Woman of Distinction Award;” “Woman of the Year” by the Miami Women Who Rock organization, and Chapman Partnership’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” has been named in her honor since 2015.
The Bells, who were high school sweethearts, are blessed with two wonderful sons, an outstanding daughterin-law and two precious granddaughters.
Benefactors
Trish and Dan Bell
Benefactors
Edgar Degas Level Sponsor - Benefactor Swanee DiMare
Swanee is a committed volunteer and supporter of a wide range of community organizations and sits on the board of Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Foundation and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. She served full terms on the board of the Miami City Ballet and the national board of Women of Tomorrow. Swanee has served on committees and as gala chair or co-chair for many charitable organizations, twice chairing the Red Cross Ball and acting as Honorary Chair of the American Red Cross Spectrum Awards for Women, an honor she herself has received. Swanee is a founding lifetime member of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, Society of Women Leaders. She was a recipient of the One in Charity Award presented by the Archdiocese of Miami Archbishop’s Charity and Development Drive. Statewide, Swanee was appointed to the Florida Tourism Advisory Committee by Governor Jeb Bush and served in this capacity for a full term of five years.
Swanee has been recognized by the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis as one of its Women of Substance and Style. In 2008 The Association of Fundraising Professionals named Swanee its Outstanding Woman in Philanthropy and in 2015 she received the organizations Life Time Achievement Award. Swanee has received numerous other honors including being named a Plaza Health Network Woman of Distinction and Caring, Chapman Partnership for Homeless Take a Walk in Her Shoes Honoree, American Cancer Society Inner Circle of Twelve Honoree, Big Brothers Big Sisters Miracle Maker, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation Queen of Hearts and Volunteer of the Year by the Junior League of Miami. The DiMare’s were named Miami Living Legends by Miami Today Newspaper in 2013 and in 2018 were made members of the American Red Cross Chairman’s Circle, the organization’ highest giving society and are recognized with their names in stone at Red Cross Square in Washington DC. The DiMare’s have been honored as Stars of Health and Wellness by South Florida PBS and received Honorary Bachelor of Arts and Letters Degrees awarded by Miami-Dade College.
The DiMare’s support for the Arts, Science and Education has helped our community forge ahead and provide new opportunities for all. Their generosity to the University of Miami includes gifts to many departments: Athletics, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the School of Education and Human Development, the Miller School of Medicine, and the Frost School of Music. The Swanee and Paul DiMare Stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts highlights the many outstanding performances held at the Knight Concert Hall and The Paul and Swanee DiMare Science Village and Butterfly Garden at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens has opened new worlds to local children and visitors from around the world.
Benefactors
Swanee DiMare
The Rendezvous Gala thanks our sponsors and donors
Barcardi Sponsor
Young Patronesses of the Opera
Thanks
For supporting our 68th Annual Fundraising Gala
Underwriters & Donors
The Eiffel Tower - $4,000 - $3,001
ShepardBroad Foundation
Amal Solh Kabbani
Gaston Lifestyles
The Arc De Triomphe - $3,000 - $2,001
Earl and Christy Powell - Powell Family Foundation
The Champs Elysees - $2,000 - $1,001
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado
The Garden De Tuileries - $1,000 - $501
Paula Shaw
Barbara Reese
Deborah Hasty
The Phantom of the Opera - $500 - $251
Dr. Carmen Ortiz
Michael Torres Professional Solutions Home Health Agency, Inc
Francesca D’Agata
Juanita Miller
Maribel Maldonado
Susan Abraham
Elsie King Hamler
Juliet King
The Pink Panther - $250 - $101
Holly Evans
Miami Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg
Vignette Sponsors
Josie Carreno Alvarez
Mark & Laurel Auerbacher
Mr. & Mrs. Jorge Cepeda - Mr. & Mrs. Don Waters
Jay & Lucie Spieler - Bennett & Kathy Feldman
Paul & Francesca D’Agata
Mr. & Mrs. John Friedhoff - Mrs. Ilene Zweig
Charlette Seidel - Rene Gross
Eeva & Harri Kulovaara
Ghislain & Marjorie Gouraige - Mary Anne Danguillecourt
Leslie H. Cooper - Lisa Hogan
Drs. Linda Neider & Paul Sugrue
The Past Presidents of YPO
Dr. Judi Woolger & Mr. Doug Kraft - Dr. Carmen Ortiz
Dr. Alfred & Mrs. Leatrice Damus - Ms. Marta Alfonso
Auction Donors
120% Lino
All Star Auctions of Miami
Barkbox
Bella Fit Spa
Bradford Renaissance Portraits
C.J. Collectibles, Joshua Slawson
Carmen Ortiz
Carolina Friedhoff
Cote D’Azur Restaurant
CrepeMaker
Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club
Elyse Walker Designs
Fairchild Tropical Gardens
Florida Grand Opera
Florida Panthers
Giancarlo Jewelry Designs
Golftec
Graciela Nearing
Hand and Stone
Ilene Zweig
Illustradent
“Our apologies to those who graciously donated to the Auction, but were omitted from this program due to the printing deadline.”
Auction Donors
iUsephotography - Sanela Jancovik
Julian Chang
Karen Mathieson
Lisa Chaffin
Lucie Spieler
Maria Urrego Masseuse
Mary Beth Burke
Monaco Med Spa - Dr Jeanne Barrueta
Montica Jewelry
Negril Treehouse Resort
Pat Ford Photography
Pilates in the Grove
Royal Caribbean International
SERENA Yacht Charters – Vivianne Swietelsky
Studio LX
The Biltmore Hotel
The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills
Travelpledge
Winspire
Ying Yang Balance Center
Zoo Miami
“Our apologies to those who graciously donated to the Auction, but were omitted from this program due to the printing deadline.”
Basket Donors
Marta Alfonso
Angeliki Aninou
Cindy Bobson
Lisa Coots
Lee Damus
Anna Fateeva
Maria Fernandez Gomez
Marjorie Gouraige
Eva Kulovaara
Natasha Makrymichalos
Lauren Marsicano
Carmen Ortiz
Maria Elena Perez
Barbara Reese
JOG – Amy Block, Julia Gessner, Suzette Fandino
Performers
Terry Cooper Band
Talent, class and versatility may best describe this artist. Terry’s sincerity flows through his music and he captivates audiences with his saxophone, masterful piano styling and soulful vocal purity. Terry is an exceptionally strong solo entertainer. Whether your event calls for relaxing cocktail/dinner music and/or higher energy dance music, Terry is the perfect fit. Terry also leads the Terry Cooper Band for larger venues and corporate events; featuring female vocalists, keyboardist, drummer, percussionist, guitarist and horn section. Terry provides professional, quality entertainment to diverse audiences and will tailor his act to fit any style or size venue and budget.
Martin Nusspaumer
“Uruguayan tenor Martín Nusspaumer, praised for his exceptional vocal control and emotional delivery, has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras throughout the americas and europe. He has taken on leading roles in numerous operas with prestigious theaters such as Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, Florida Grand Opera, Magic City Opera and many others. Recent highlights include his portrayal of Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor” and performances as Prince Sergio in “Katiuska” and Rodolfo in “La Boheme.”
Chelsea Lehnea
American soprano Chelsea Lehnea is known for her powerful artistry, fearless personality, and unique sense of style. Lehnea has secured top honors around the globe, claiming First Place at the Loren L. Zachary Vocal Competition, Premiere Opera Foundation Live Vocal Competition, Opera at Florham Vocal Competition, and the Camille Coloratura Awards Vocal Competition. This season she will star in two new St. Pete Opera productions. She will be singing Liù in Turandot and make her highly anticipated role debut of the title character in Lucia di Lammermoor. She will also appear as a soloist for Vero Beach Opera’s Best of Broadway & Opera in Concert. Last season, Lehnea triumphed in her New York City role debut as Paolina in Poliuto with Teatro Nuovo.
2023 Gala
The Evening Festivities
Where there is music, there can be love.
French Proverb
6:30 p.m. Le Jazz Paris Reception and Silent Auction Opens
Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres
8:00 p.m. The Ballroom Doors Open to the Palais Garnier Opera House
Dancing begins to the Terry Cooper Band
8:30 p.m. Dinner is served – Bon Appétit!
9:00 p.m. Silent Auction Closes
Entertainment
Dancing to the Terry Cooper Band
10:15 p.m. Auction Check out begins
11:20 pm Item pick-up ends
11:30 p.m. Our beautiful evening closes – Au Revoir
Menu
Salads
Champagne Roasted Pear Salad, Frisee & Arcadian Greens, Pickled Shallot, Gorgonzola, Candied Walnuts, Lavender & Honey Vinaigrette
Entrée
Seared Atlantic Salmon, Lemon Thyme Glaze, Roasted Fennel Puree, Lentil Hash, Baby Asparagus, Pea Tendrils or Braised Beef Short Rib, Celery Root Potato Puree, Wine Glazed Vegetables, Brussels, Wild Mushroom Filo, Wine Merchant Sauce
Desserts
Choco Raspberry-Chocolate Sponge, Raspberry Ganache, Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Marmalade, 66% Chocolate Glaze, Maldon Cookie Crumble or Pineapple Custard, Coconut Panna Cotta, Mango Passion Sorbet, Key Lime Sponge, Coconut Powder
Beverages
Freshly Brewed Regular Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee The Ritz-Carlton Tea Selection & Iced Tea
President’s thank you to the Gala Chairs
To
My Wonderful Chair Ladies Lisa Coots, Maria Fernandez Gomez, and Jae Lofton
Thank you for this exciting journey to the City of Lights! We delighted in everything French and oh la la, automated several processes, learned as we grew, and had many laughs and giggles along the way. From our Marie Antoinette and Coco Chanel entrance at the theme reveal, to our final bow on the Palais Garnier stage, it has been tres magnifique! My graceful parisienne swans - thank you for keeping our focus on the children and making South Florida a great place for everyone to celebrate the joy of music. Merci Beaucoup Mes Amis!
With love Lisa
To Maria Elena
ank you for all of your time, skills, humor and technology insight that enabled us to automate processes and organize data for the gala now and in the future. You’re the best!
Love, Lisa
Thank you to my lovely gala advisors!
Rene Beal, Marlene Berg, Lee Damus, Deborah Hasty, Barbara Reese, Lurenda Turner and Lise-Marie Wertanzl.
I am grateful for your support and guidance. Love, Lisa
Merci pour ce magnifique voyage à l’opéra de Paris et l’affaire du Diamant Rose!
Cheers to our Beautiful YPO Sisters, Jae and Lisa!
Remembering the joyous beginnings of our 2014 class, set to the tune of ‘Ain’t We Got Fun!’ #YPOSisterhood
The Junior Opera Guild congratulates President Lisa Hogan and YPO for a successful year.
To our dearest Lisa, we are so proud of you and your work as president of the Young Patronesses of the Opera and all that you do to help your community and support the arts. Continue to “shine bright like a Diamond!”
Enjoy your wonderful soiree.
Love, Dad, Frankie, Lance and your nieces and nephews.
Adriana Munios
Amy Block
Anna Fateeva
Félicitations Lisa pour un magnifique Gala à Paris!
YPO 2023 - 2024 Board of Governors
Karen Mathieson
Angeliki Aninou
Barbara Reese
Barbara Waters
Beverly Cardona
Carmen Ortiz
Carolina Friedho
Charlette Seidel
Claudia Glasson
Claudia Morean
Danielle Krause
Deborah Hasty
Debby Magenheimer
Eveliny Bastos-Klien
Francesca D’Agata
Georgia McLean
Ilene Zweig
Jae Lo on
Joanna Barusch
Josie Alvarez
Judi Woolger
Julie Todaro
Kathy Feldman
Laurel Auerbacher
Laurelle Hennessy
Lee Damus
Leslie Cooper
Linda Meyers
Linde Barrett
Lisa Coots
Lise-Marie Wertanzl
Lucie Spieler
Lurenda Turner
Magita Rojas
Maria Elena Perez
Maria Fernandez Gomez
Maribel Maldonado
Marlene Berg
Marta Alfonso
Mary Anne Danguillecourt
Mary Beth Burke
Natasha Makrymichalos
Patricia Scarpella
Rene Beal
Violeta Cepeda
Congratulations Soror Lisa on the “Rendezvous at the Paris Opera • e
Pink
Diamond A air”
Best wishes for a brilliant and beautiful evening, Love, your Line Sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The Young Patronesses of the Opera Thanks
Gaston Lifestyles Magazine
For their gracious support and underwriting of the Gala Program Book
Congratulations YPO President Lisa Hogan
May Rendezvous at the Paris Opéra
The Pink Diamond Affair sparkle through the night!
Love, Your 1999 Provisional Class
Lisa Chaffin, Linda Corey, Marisel Diaz, Nancy Reirson
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Gala.
YPO thanks South Beach Wines and Steve Kraski CEO for the generous donation of wine to the Gala and Benefactor Party.
Merci Beaucoup ~ Acknowledgments
The Gala Chairs and Committee are grateful to the following for making the Rendezvous Gala such a beautiful evening!
Invitations - Shimmering Ceremony
Photographers – Claude Zick, Meg Pugel, World Red Eye
Entertainer Accommodations - Lucie Spieler
Gala Events
Kick off Party – Brasserie Central Restaurant Merrick Park, Magic City Opera, Kim McCray Consulting
Benefactor Party – Florida Grand Opera Headquarters, FGO Studio Artists
Favors and Gifts
Swarovski crystal bracelets for all female guests and Brosway Italian watches for men graciously donated by Amal Solh Kabbani
Little Angel Olive Oil graciously donated by Angeliki Anninou
Additional Gifts graciously donated by Carolina Friedhoff
Benefactor Party
Entertainment and decor graciously donated by Carmen Ortiz
Opera Books graciously donated by Deborah Hasty
Party Favors graciously donated by Maribel Maldonado
Event Production and Design Services – Galaxy Productions, Chad Everett CEO
Staging and Direction – LTCreative, Inc., Lurenda Turner CEO
Wine & Spirits
South Beach Wine, LLC - Steve Karski, CEO Bacardi USA
Special Shopping Events:
Chanel Boutique Brickell City Centre
Selene Soucy Designs
Kendra Scott Jewelry
Lilly Pulitzer Boutique Merrick Park
