Denver Lyric Opera Guild

Denver Lyric Opera Guild is a non-profit membership organization of over 210 members. DLOG was founded in 1965 to help support the Denver Lyric Opera Company. The opera company was forced to close in 1968, but the Guild pursued other programs in keeping with its purpose to encourage and support young singers and provide continuing education to the members in the appreciation and knowledge of opera.

Competition for Colorado Singers

In 1984, the Guild inaugurated its signature event, the Competition for Colorado Singers, to support singers ages 23-32 in pursuing their operatic careers. Since then, the Guild has awarded $815,400 to Competition winners. Hundreds of young singers have successfully launched their operatic and musical careers since winning the Competition. At the 2020 Competition, $35,500 was awarded to the top 15 finalists. 

Grants

The Guild provides grants to Colorado’s colleges and universities for vocal scholarships, and to apprentice opera programs. Over the years, these grants have totaled almost $775,000 from the earnings on our endowment. Grants are given to the voice performance programs at Colorado State University, Denver University, Metro State University of Denver, University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado, and young artist apprentice programs of Central City Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera Fort Collins, and Opera Theatre of the Rockies in Colorado Springs.

In 2019, grantees provided scholarships to 36 voice performance students and apprentice artists. In 2020, universities and opera apprentice programs will receive grants totaling $37,500.

Member Education

Opera on Tuesday events are held seven times a year (plus the July Summer Party) throughout Metro Denver and offer members the opportunity to hear performances from Competition winners, opera students and opera company apprentices. Each year a group goes on a Regional Opera Tour to a Central City performance, and a National Opera Tour takes members and guests to a major U.S. opera venue.

Grants are awarded each year to Colorado’s colleges, universities and apprentice programs for young opera singers in training. The Guild is proud to support the opera scene in Colorado. To date, over $1.5 million has been given in Competition awards and grants.

June 1, 2021–May, 2022 DLOG Elected Officers & Board

Appointed Positions

Phyllis Wicklund
Parliamentarian

Mary Conroy
Corresponding Secretary

Marie Belew-Wheatley and Lisa Curtis
Special Events

Wendy Cogdal
Photographer and Summer Party

Ian T. Caiozzi
Communications Chair

Committees

Finance
Education
Public Relations
Communications
Nominating
Special Events
Summer Party
Regional Opera Tours
Tours
Proofreaders

DLOG Collegiate and Young Artists Grants

Denver Lyric Opera Guild Grants to universities and young artist training programs are made possible through the generosity of Guild Members and by established funds from the endowment portfolio. In 2020, universities and opera apprentice programs will receive grants totaling $37,500.

2020 Collegiate Grants

Colorado State University
Department of Music

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Music

Eklund Opera
University of Colorado at Boulder

University of Denver
Lamont School of Music

University of Northern Colorado Opera Theatre

2020 Young Artists Program Grants

Central City Opera
Young Artists Program

Opera Colorado
Artists In Residence Program

Opera Fort Collins
Apprentice Artists Program

Opera Theatre of the Rockies
Artists and Outreach Ensemble

The Guild is proud to be encouraging the opera scene here in Colorado. To date, over $1,500,000 has been given in competition awards and grants.