COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Find Piedmont Opera around town!
Whether you are opera-curious or an aficionado, this is your chance to meet classically trained up-and-coming artists without the fuss! Opera LITE is a casual opera experience featuring some of Piedmont Opera’s fan favorites. Learn (or learn more) about opera and experience the music in a low-pressure and informal setting with a fun theme, beautiful singing, an informative talk, Q&A with the artists, and a reception with nibbles.
Opera Lite in Yadkinville
Piedmont Opera is proud to present its new flagship series, Opera Lite, coming to Yadkinville in 2026! This program highlights talented artists from across the Triad who have performed with renowned organizations such as Hawaii Opera Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera, North Carolina Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, the Indianapolis Symphony, and more.
Show days for Opera Lite are already set! Catch us on: May 31, August 23, and November 1. More information below!
August 23: Opera Lite: POPERA
During the second event in the Opera Lite series audiences will enjoy a lighthearted and entertaining afternoon exploring opera’s influence in popular culture, from Pavarotti’s unforgettable duet with Sting to the Metropolitan Opera’s surprise appearances on Sesame Street! This program blends fun facts, favorite clips, and audience participation. Plus, test your knowledge for a chance to win prizes through opera-themed trivia and more!
November 1: Opera Lite: An American Odyssey
Presented as a live radio broadcast, American Odyssey takes audiences on a journey through 250 years of American song, from the parlor and the revival to the protest march and the Broadway stage. Hosted at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center, this recital traces the story of America through its music, connecting major moments in American history and legal tradition to the songs that defined them. Featuring works drawn from the many communities that make up the American story, performed by Reverend Kenneth Alexander Pettigrew, Logan Webber and Arianna Bohning, this is a chance to reflect on, appreciate and celebrate the full American experience.
Opera Lite in Lewisville-Clemmons
SEASON 2 IS COMING SOON!
Supporting the Artists in N.C.
Prior to our performances, we showcase artists who have made an impact from N.C. Our current featured artist is Mary Cardwell Dawson:
Mary Cardwell Dawson was a groundbreaking African American opera singer, educator, and arts leader born in Madison, North Carolina. She founded the National Negro Opera Company in 1941, which became the most influential African American opera company in the United States. She provided work to some 1,800 singers and trained hundreds of young performers, efforts so impactful that Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a personal check in support of her work and President Kennedy appointed her to his national music commission in 1961.