About Us
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, 2024–May, 2025 DLOG Elected Officers & Board
2024-2025 DLOG Officers
Karen Bruggenthies
President
Kathy Van Arsdale
Immediate Past President
Gayle Landis
President Elect
Dennis Jackson
Competition Vice President
Peter Van Arsdale
Development Vice President
Rebecca McAlister
Education Vice President
Tom Conroy
Finance Vice President
Deb Roth
Membership Vice President
B. J. Ellison
Public Relations Vice President
Mary Conroy
Secretary
Kathy Hammer
Treasurer
Appointed Positions
Phyllis Wicklund
Parliamentarian
Linda Young
Photographer
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.
2021 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
2021 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
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.
Contribute to our mission while engaging in exciting events! A great way to meet opera lovers and support budding singers of tomorrow.
The DLOG Competition makes it possible for Colorado singers to gain the necessary experience and performance opportunities needed to advance our careers in opera, propelling us to the next level. I am so grateful for the generosity and immense support from your members and sponsors.