The Music Institute of Chicago and Lyric Opera of Chicago today announced a new partnership launching in the 2026/27 season.
Together, the Music Institute and Lyric are embarking on a dynamic collaboration that reimagines how opera is experienced, taught, and shared. By uniting world-class artistry with premier music education, the partnership creates a meaningful pathway from classroom to stage — opening doors for young musicians while bringing opera to broader audiences in impactful ways. This collaboration underscores Chicago’s leadership in advancing innovation in the performing arts.
"Collaboration is central to our mission, and this partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago creates extraordinary opportunities for current students, existing and expanded school partnerships, and community members of all ages," said Music Institute of Chicago President and CEO Shalisa Kline Ugaz. "From mentorship and performance to direct exposure to the professional opera world, these programs will provide experiences that inspire artistic growth and deepen engagement with the performing arts."
This multifaceted initiative will connect students, emerging artists, and communities across the Chicago region through shared programming, mentorship, and performance opportunities.
"Partnering with the Music Institute allows us to extend the reach of opera in meaningful and lasting ways," said Lyric Opera of Chicago General Director John Mangum. "By connecting even more students and emerging artists with the resources and expertise of Lyric, we are not only opening doors to this art form, but also helping to cultivate the next generation of performers and audiences across our city."
Rooted in a shared commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement, this unique, one-of-a-kind partnership will introduce four key programs designed to broaden access to opera and deepen educational experiences for young musicians.
Opera in the Neighborhoods continues North Shore expansion with new Music Institute partnership
As part of its longstanding Opera in the Neighborhoods program, Lyric will present short operatic performances annually each season at Nichols Concert Hall, the Music Institute’s historic performance venue in Evanston. The expansion will bring live opera directly to Music Institute students on the North Shore during fall and spring tours, introducing new audiences to the art form in an accessible and engaging format.
Music Institute students have access to mainstage orchestra readings
Select Music Institute string students will have the opportunity to observe Lyric mainstage orchestra readings each season, led by Lyric’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola. These experiences will offer students an inside look at the professional rehearsal processes of contrasting operatic styles.
New emerging artist recital series debuts at Nichols Hall
The Music Institute will introduce a new recital series at Nichols Concert Hall, showcasing exceptional emerging talent in an intimate performance setting. As part of this series, artists from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric’s preeminent artist development program, will perform in one of the recitals. This collaboration will provide audiences with unique access to rising operatic artists while creating valuable performance opportunities within a supportive, community-centered environment.
Artist talk with Ryan Opera Center artists planned
The partnership will include an artist talk featuring Lyric’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola and artists from the Ryan Opera Center engaging directly with Music Institute high school students. This interactive panel session will provide students with practical guidance and personal insights on pursuing conservatory study, preparing for college auditions, and navigating the early stages of a career in music.
The new partnership reflects a shared vision to strengthen the cultural fabric of the Chicago region and ensure that opera remains vibrant, relevant, and accessible for generations to come.
Lyric’s 2026/27 Season is presented by the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation.
Major Lyric Unlimited support provided by the Nancy W. Knowles Student and Family Performances Fund.
Opera in the Neighborhoods is supported by Penelope R. Steiner.
Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, United Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
About Music Institute of Chicago
Founded in 1931, the Music Institute of Chicago fosters lifelong engagement with music for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Through exceptional teaching, outstanding performance opportunities, and community programming, the Music Institute harnesses the power of music to educate and motivate while providing broad access to high-quality music education. Each year, the Music Institute provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, and Winnetka, as well as online. The Music Institute also offers scholarship opportunities to students in its Community School and the Academy, a nationally recognized pre-college conservatory program for gifted high school pianists and string players. The Music Institute welcomes more than 15,000 visitors annually for performances, masterclasses, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall.
The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful for the support of these annual institutional supporters: Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, John and Pauline Fife, Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation, The Grainger Foundation, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, The Irving Harris Foundation, ITW, The Julian Family Foundation, The Kiphart Family Foundation, William Harris Lee & Co., The Negaunee Foundation, Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Family Foundation, Sargent Family Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Shure, and The Wallace Foundation. The Music Institute also acknowledges the generous support of the Evanston Arts Council, a city agency supported by the City of Evanston; the Farny R. Wurlitzer Fund from the DeKalb County Community Foundation; the Highland Park Community Foundation; the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity; and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
For more information, visit musicinst.org.
About Lyric
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.
Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists — magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.
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For more information, visit lyricopera.org.
About The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is Lyric’s preeminent artist-development program that nurtures the talents of some of the most promising operatic artists of each generation. The program’s Ensemble members earn their coveted spot by successfully auditioning among more than 600 artists worldwide. Its alumni are among the dominant names in opera today. Donor generosity ensures continued unparalleled training, performance experience, and professional readiness of Ensemble members. This highly competitive program, established in 1974, is led by Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.