Opera is not just for the rich. At least not at Gulfshore Opera, says founder and General Director Steffanie Pearce.

“The traditional stereotype of opera is that it's elitist entertainment. You have to be rich, and you have to speak foreign languages and all that to enjoy it,” Pearce acknowledged. “But we're just so much more than that. The youth initiatives that we have at Gulfshore Opera are really part of our founding principles.”

Since its inception, patron John Wernette helped support the Gulfshore Opera youth-oriented community engagement initiatives.

“John and Beverly Wernette have been very significant contributors to our efforts,” Pearce noted. “Both very much love our outreach to the at-risk youth through our Harmony Choir, which has seven chapters in the three counties.”

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