Volunteer Opportunities

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 season.

Requirements

• Non-smoking and pet-free environments located within a 7 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, and Los Angeles Opera.
• Fellows & Interns: WTOC fellows and interns have been selected to participate in our highly selective, competitive 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

• Our music library contains thousands of items including recordings, reference books, scores, and historical programs. Volunteers catalogue and assist with management of these resources.
• We follow the careers of the hundreds of opera company alumni. Volunteers help us by doing research to identify former Wolf Trap artists’ current activities.
• Current volunteers John Feather, Fred Mushinski, Sandra Saydah, Joe Fleig and Sam Waters  have logged many hours assisting with library materials, and volunteers Ilene Cranisky and Katharine Hunter provided transportation to members of the 2011 Inspector opera premiere.

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 2012
Mary Astley
John & Caren Backus
Patty Beneke
Jay & Leslie Bennet
Anna Bradford
John Dawson & Ann Jones
Joe Fleig & Mary Ellen Saville
Grace Jones
Linda Kauss & Clark Hoyt
Anna Lueje & Bill Wagner
William Malone
Carlos & Maureen Marino
Merle Mulvaney
Lee Outlaw
Ruth & Eugene Overton
Ellen Peebles
Laura Peebles & Ellen Fingerman
Sandra Saydah
Ed & Andy Smith
Karen Sorenson & Peter Gaus
Sarah Spicer
Judith Stehling
Wendell & Karen Van Lare
Stephanie & Fernando van Reigersberg
Paul & Pat Ward
Ron & Judy Wilgenbusch
William & Sheila Woessner