(Credit: Kathy Rose)

Merola Opera Program has announced that its “Un Gala In Maschera” virtual benefit gala brought in over $275,000. The event was the first of its kind for the company, and was held in honor of its departing Artistic Director Sherri Greenawald.

The program saw artists such as Leah Crocetto, joined by past Merola artists such as soprano Amber R. Monroe, mezzo Ashley Dixon, baritones Joo Won Kang and Efrain Solis, bass-baritone Christian Pursell, and pianist Ronny Michael.

Among those in attendance were Executive Director Jean Kellogg, President Barbara Bruser Clark, Chairman Patrick Wilken, former Director of Musical Studies Mark Morash, and members of the gala committee.

Donations went to two of Greenawald’s causes: the Sheri Greenawald Endowment Fund, which provides support for Merola faculty in perpetuity, and the Sheri Greenawald Artists Support Fund, which directly supports living stipends for young artists in the ’21 Merola summer training program.

Recognized as one of the leading programs in the United States, the Merola Program offers participants training in all aspects of performance and professional development, as it is the only young artist program that financially supports its artists for five years.