

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Board
About
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Board is led by longtime Lyric supporter, Donna VanEekeren. Since its inception in 1974, the Ryan Opera Center has been recognized as one of the premier professional artist development programs in the world. Each season, several current and former Ensemble members perform important roles in Lyric's mainstage productions. The Board takes great pride in helping to nurture the talents of the best emerging artists of the next generation.
Ryan Opera Center Board Members
Last updated November 11, 2020
Honorary Co-Chairs
Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan
President
Donna Van Eekeren
Vice President – At Large
Julie Baskes*
Vice President – At Large
Janet Burch
Vice President - Fundraising
Phil Lumpkin
Vice President – Fundraising Co-Chair
John Nitschke*
Vice President - Nominating
Debbie Wright
Vice President – Nominating Co-Chair
David Fox
Vice President – Strategic Planning
Juliana Chyu
Vice President – Strategic Planning Co-Chair
Nasrin Thierer
Treasurer
Salme Harju Steinberg
Secretary
Chester T. Kamin
Members
Heidi Bohn
Tanja Chevalier
Lawrence O. Corry
Nancy Dehmlow
Allan Drebin*
Erika Erich
Lafayette Ford
Anthony Freud
Mira Frohnmayer
Melvin Gray
Lynn Hauser
Mary Ellen Hennessy
Marty Hesse
Beatriz Iorgulescu
Loretta Julian
Louise Lane
Erma Medgysey
Helen Melchior
Frank B. Modruson^
Phyllis Neiman
John Nitschke
Susan Noel
Kenneth R. Norgan
Mike Oberman
Julian Oettinger
Gregory O’Leary
Jane DiRenzo Pigott
Ted Reichardt^
Richard Ryan
Richard Shepro
Virginia Tobiason
Cynthia Vahlkamp
Harriet Weinstein
Jack Weiss
Joan Zajtchuk
Life Members
Katherine Abelson*
Virginia Cozad
Bernard Dobroski
Marilyn Heath
Susan Kiphart*
Jeanne Malkin
Keith A. Reed*
Orli Staley
William C. Vance*
Mrs. J.W. Van Gorkom*
Howard A. Vaughan, Jr.
Marilee Wehman
* Former President
^ Team Chair

Discover the Ryan Opera Center
Learn more about The Ryan Opera Center Ensemble, alumni, audition process, and more!