Kentucky Opera

🏹 The adventure begins! Happy opening to Youth Opera Project's "Robin Hood!"

Join us as the Youth Opera Project brings the legendary tale of Robin Hood to life on stage. Filled with courage, friendship, and plenty of excitement, this family-friendly production showcases the incredible talent and hard work of our young artists.

Come cheer on these rising stars as they take aim at opening weekend! 🌟

Meet Head of Music, Taylor Burkhardt. Along with her essential role on the Kentucky Opera staff, Taylor is also musical directing Youth Opera Project's "Robin Hood."

Taylor Burkhardt is a multifaceted musician, working as a vocal coach, conductor, pianist, and administrator. Recent engagements include mainstage and educational productions at the Atlanta Opera, Utah Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Des Moines Metro Opera, Virginia Opera, The Juilliard School, Kentucky Opera, American Lyric Theater, Dayton Opera, and Mill City Summer Opera. She also recently served as a teaching fellow at The Juilliard School.

Taylor is a graduate of the doctoral program at the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Timothy Lovelace, and a graduate of the University of Missouri, where she studied with Peter Miyamoto. She is also an alumna of the Music Academy of the West, where she studied with Warren Jones.

"Robin Hood" performances are Saturday, June 6th at 2pm, and Sunday, June 7th at 2pm.

🌲🏹 What does it take to bring "Robin Hood" to life? From fundraising and community engagement to production and backstage magic, our Young Artists got an inside look at the many careers that make opera possible!

A huge thank you to Sarah Bushman, Director of Advancement, and Kate Winegarden, Director of Production, for sharing their expertise and showing that there’s a place for every passion in the arts.

Now see the magic for yourself! Join us for "Robin Hood" on June 6 & 7 at 2:00 PM and experience this exciting adventure brought to life by Kentucky Opera’s Youth Opera Project.

🌳 Calling all merry people, noble heroes, and future adventurers! 🌳

Kentucky Opera’s Youth Opera Project is bringing "Robin Hood" to life on June 6 & 7 at 2PM!

In this photo, General Director & CEO Ben Robinson shares the magic of opera and storytelling with our incredible young artists as they prepare for the stage. 🎭✨

Join us in Sherwood Forest for an unforgettable family-friendly adventure filled with music, imagination, and heart. 🏹💚

For tickets, visit https://kyopera.org/robinhood26/ or call the Box Office at 502-584-4500!

✨ A season of secrets, seduction, style, and stunning music awaits. ✨

Welcome to the Kentucky Opera family, new subscribers! From the comic chaos of "The Barber of Seville" to the powerful storytelling of "COTTON"; and from the romantic games of "Così fan tutte", and the haunting beauty of "Salome", your 2026 season is going to be unforgettable. 🎭

We can’t wait to share every dramatic twist, soaring high note, and breathtaking moment with you. 💫

🌲🏹 Adventure awaits! Our Kentucky Opera Youth Opera Project campers are stepping into the world of "Robin Hood", learning about opera, making music, creating characters, and bringing the enchanted forest to life. ✨🎭

From the first rehearsal to opening day, these young artists are learning teamwork, confidence, creativity, and the magic of opera along the way. We can’t wait to see this story come alive! 💚

June 6th | 2pm
June 7th | 2pm

Ben Robinson, KO’s General Director + CEO, sat down with Rolandas Bryd, Senior Vice President and Director of Community and Multicultural Banking at Republic Bank, to talk about the importance of opera within the community of Louisville.

Byrd shared that what he loves about opera is “its ability to bring together so many forms of expression into one powerful experience. It blends music, storytelling, movement, and emotion in a way that reaches people across backgrounds and generations. Opera invites us to slow down, to listen, and to feel. It creates space for reflection and connection, and that is something I value deeply."

Kentucky Opera is grateful for Republic Bank's sponsorship of "Robin Hood" and "Before Freedom Rang: A Juneteenth Celebration", as well as their commitment to community investment.

Meet Youth Programs Teaching Artist, Grace Ashley. Along with her fundamental role on the Kentucky Opera staff, Grace is also directing Youth Opera Project's "Robin Hood."

Grace Ashley is a soprano, director, and voice teacher currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance at the University of Kentucky, where she studies with Everett McCorvey and serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Her directing work includes opera scenes, fully staged productions, and youth opera, with a focus on collaborative storytelling and dramatic connection through music.

An active performer, Ms. Ashley tours with the American Spiritual Ensemble and has performed roles including Donna Anna ("Don Giovanni"), Miss Grose ("The Turn of the Screw"), and Tante Marie ("The Silver Fox"). In addition to her role at Kentucky Opera, she maintains a private voice studio in Lexington.

Registration for "Robin Hood" camp ends tomorrow, May 19th! Make sure to register while you still can.

Robin Hood performances are Saturday, June 6th at 2pm, and Sunday, June 7th at 2pm.