Continuing a commitment to support and encourage young singers pursing a career in opera, the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation made a grant to Opera Carolina in support of Opera Carolina’s Outreach program. Opera Carolina’s Education and Outreach program includes a school touring company, a curriculum for opera education in element schools and a young artists program.

Jane Pardue, the President of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, applauded the decision of the Board to make the grant to Opera Carolina. “This grant not only supports young artists, but does so in the community in which Fritz and Lavinia Jensen lived.”

The grant continues a relationship between the Jensen Foundation and Opera Carolina. In 2005, Opera Carolina General Director and Principal Conductor James Meena generously offered to hire the first-place winner of the Jensen Foundation Voice Competition to perform a role with Opera Carolina.

Mr. Meena acknowledged the importance of support from dedicated benefactors in the growth of Opera Carolina. “We thank [the Foundation] for the trust and confidence that your gift places in Opera Carolina. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.”

Founded in 1948 as the Charlotte Opera Association by a small group of volunteers, Opera Carolina today is the largest professional opera company in the Carolinas with an operating budget of over $2.6 million. The mission of Opera Carolina is to inspire and entertain the region's diverse community through the presentation of excellent Opera, Operetta, Music Theater, and Education & Outreach programs that elevate the quality of life in the Carolinas. Opera Carolina is a community resource with a commitment to artistic excellence and community service.

The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation was established in 1998 by Lavinia Jensen in honor of her late husband Fritz Jensen. The mission of the Foundation is to provide support and encouragement for young opera singers who intend to purse opera as a career. Through its annual voice competition, which offers one of the highest financial awards in competition circles, and generous scholarship grants, the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation directly enhances the artistic development of today’s promising young voices.