Support Butler Studio
Looking for a way to support the Butler Studio? Opportunities exist to underwrite positions within our Studio faculty and leadership.
Support Butler Studio
Opportunities exist to underwrite Studio artist, faculty and leadership positions.
For more information, please contact Alex de Aguiar Reuter at areuter@hgo.org or 713-980-8688.
Founded in 1977 by composer Carlisle Floyd and HGO's then-General Director David Gockley, the mission of the Butler Studio is to provide comprehensive career development to young artists who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the field of opera. The Studio's goal is to develop well-rounded professionals by providing the highest quality training combined with a wide range of performance opportunities.
The Butler Studio has become one of the most highly recognized and respected young artist programs in the world. The program’s purpose—investing in exceptional talent to develop extraordinary artists—has been validated by the achievements of our illustrious alumni in opera houses all over the world. One of the Butler Studio’s strengths is its integration with the company as a whole and the opportunities it offers young artists to work and train alongside established and experienced artists, such as Joyce DiDonato, Heidi Stober, Dimitri Pittas, Ailyn Pèrez, Liudmyla Monastyrska, Tamara Wilson, and Ryan McKinny as well as renowned conductors, directors, and designers.
The best talent of the next generation of opera stars will have the finest training available anywhere, and Houston audiences will see them as they mature into greatness.
Supporters
The activities of the Butler Studio are supported in part by the following generous donors and funds within the Houston Grand Opera Endowment, Inc.:
The Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation Endowment Fund
Thomas Capshaw Endowment Fund
Carol Lynn Lay Fletcher Endowment Fund
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship Fund
Charlotte Howe Memorial Scholarship Fund
Elva Lobit Opera Endowment Fund
Marian and Speros Martel Foundation Endowment Fund
Erin Gregory Neale Endowment Fund
Dr. Mary Joan Nish and Patricia Bratsas Endowed Fund
Shell Lubricants (formerly Pennzoil-Quaker State Company) Fund
Tenneco, Inc. Endowment Fund
Weston-Cargill Endowed Fund
The Butler Studio is grateful for the in-kind support of the Texas Voice Center. The Young Artists Vocal Academy (YAVA) is generously underwritten by Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Wakefield and the HGO Guild. Additional support for YAVA is provided by Mr. Patrick Carfizzi, Gwyneth Campbell, and David and Norine Gill. Additional support for the Houston Grand Opera Studio is provided by Sylvia Barnes and Jim Trimble, Dr. Raymond Chinn, Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn Hetzel, Ms. Diane K. Morales, and Mr. and Mrs. Jay Watkins.