Housing Hosts

The Wolf Trap Opera Company’s network of housing host families enables us to bring our talented young professional musicians to Wolf Trap. WTOC hosts make personal connections with our young artists and gain a unique behind-the-opera-scenes perspective.

Dates

• May – August
• Not all company members are in residence for the entire period: some stay for shorter periods of time.

Requirements

• Non-smoking and pet-free environments located within a 5 mile radius of Wolf Trap are preferred.
• Hosts must supply a private bedroom and bath with access to kitchen and laundry facilities.
• Company members are responsible for their own food, telephone expenses, and transportation.

The Perks

Housing hosts have the opportunity to attend WTOC dress rehearsals and other by-invitation-only company events.

Profile of a Wolf Trap Opera Company Member

• Filene Young Artists: Our singers are typically in their mid-late 20s. They have each been through 6-8 years of undergraduate and graduate study, artist diploma work, and apprenticeship training. Most are single, a few are married, and all are adjusting to a life “on the road”—a reality of their chosen profession. Recent alumni of the Company are singing with all of the major opera companies across the US and around the world.
• Music and Stage Management Staff: Music and stage management staff members are young professionals. They have typically worked in the field for 5-10 years. Their non-summer employers include Washington National Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and the University of Maryland.
• Fellows & Interns: Our fellows interns have been selected to participate in the Wolf Trap Foundation’s highly selective internship and fellowship programs. Interns are typically college students, but some are graduate students; fellows are usually finishing graduate study or beginning their professional careers.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

If administrative work is more your forte, Wolf Trap Opera has research and data tracking projects to fit the bill!

• Our music library has thousands of items including hundreds of donated programs, some of these items need to be catalogued and entered into our database.
• We attempt to keep track of the hundreds of opera company alumni. Volunteers help us by doing research to identify former Wolf Trap artists’ current activities.
• So far this year, volunteer Sandra Saydah has logged many hours assisting with library materials. Sandra also volunteered tirelessly in helping us to manage the more than 1000 audition applications we received this year.

Interested? Have any questions?

Please contact Susan Weinsheimer at (703) 255-1935 weekdays or by email at susanw@wolftrap.org.

Housing Hosts and Volunteers for Summer 2009
Jason & Rachelle Aiken
Mary Astley
Wayne & Michelle Edwards
Joe Fleig & Mary Ellen Saville
John & Sally Guilfoyle
Hank & Shelley Hatch
Katharine Hunter
Grace Jones
Linda Kauss & Clark Hoyt
Elizabeth & Richard Klass
Anna Lueje & Bill Wagner
William Malone
Dr Fred & Betty Mushinski
Leslie & Thomas Ossim
Anne & Al Phillips
Blair Reischer & Martha Bozman
Sandra Saydah
Ed & Andy Smith
Karen Sorenson & Peter Gaus
Sarah & Randy Spicer
Judith Stehling
Wendell & Karen Van Lare
Stephanie & Fernando van Reigersberg
Paul & Pat Ward
Ron & Judy Wilgenbusch