A New Model for Artist-Led Engagement
Living Opera is proud to announce the launch of Fellows + Circles, a new initiative that empowers artists to create and lead community-based performances, mentorship programs, and educational projects.
Founded in 2019 by Soula Parassidis, Norman Reinhardt, and Christos Makridis, Living Opera bridges artistic excellence with community engagement. The Fellows + Circles program builds on that mission by supporting artists who want to bring professional performances and meaningful experiences directly to their local audiences.
Each Living Opera Fellow leads a Circle, a locally organized network of artists, partners, and audiences. Circles are designed to strengthen local cultural ecosystems, helping artists gain experience in both performance and administration while serving their communities through accessible, high-quality programming.
The Portland Circle: A Pilot for the Pacific Northwest
The first pilot Circle launches this season in Portland, Oregon, led by conductor, composer, and keyboardist Gyan Singh Maria, who currently serves as Conducting Fellow at Portland Opera.
Working in collaboration with St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Gyan is helping develop an artist-led model for community programming that integrates performance, mentorship, and collaboration. The Portland Circle will begin with two November concerts featuring rising operatic artists:
Wednesday, November 19, 7 PM — Tenor Nathaniel Catasca
Saturday, November 29, 5 PM — Tenor Jietong Fu
Both performances will be held at St. Michael's Luthern Church, 6700 NE 29th Ave, Portland, OR.
How to Support the Portland Circle
The Portland Circle represents Living Opera’s commitment to sustainable, community-based arts leadership. By supporting this pilot, donors help build a model that provides paid performance opportunities, family-friendly events, and mentorship for the next generation of musicians.
You can make a tax-deductible donation at www.livingopera.org/foundation or scan the QR code provided at each event. Checks can be made out to the Living Opera Foundation, memo "Portland Circle". If you would like to fund a Circle in your local community, please contact us at hello@livingopera.org for more information!
Follow the Journey
Stay connected with updates and behind-the-scenes stories by following @LivingOpera on all major platforms. Together, we’re helping artists build culture from the ground up, one Circle at a time.