As part of our mission to advocate and support opera volunteers and their organizations throughout North America, we’re pleased to announce our newest initiative, our 3-part Volunteer Advocacy Webinar Series. The series is thoughtfully crafted to explore the current landscape of volunteer engagement. Scroll down to register, and for more information on our webinar topics and panelists!
Participants who attend all three events live will receive an OVI Certificate of Completion in Volunteer Advocacy—a distinguished acknowledgment from Opera Volunteers International, celebrating your commitment to strengthening and growing the opera volunteer community.
Mark Your Calendars!
July 14, 12 PM ET – The Volunteer Multiplier: Elevate Your Impact by Leveraging Skills with Purpose – online webinar – REGISTER FOR FREE
Session 3: The Volunteer Multiplier: Elevate Your Impact by Leveraging Skills with Purpose
Monday, July 14, 2025, 12PM ET; Online Webinar
Speakers: Rhonda Sweeney, Non-Profit Leader and Volunteer
Melissa Wegner, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and Laffont Competition
Rhonda takes us on a journey through what it takes to elevate opera volunteers from worker to unshakable advocate. She then welcomes Melissa Wegner of The Metropolitan Opera, who will share actionable insights from her work with emerging talent—together offering practical strategies for upskilling, building purpose-driven programs, and expanding your impact in your organization. This inspiring session marks the grand finale of Opera Volunteers International’s three-part 2025 Volunteer Advocacy Webinar Series. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from two of the industry’s most respected leaders in opera and volunteer engagement.
Meet Our Speakers
Rhonda Sweeney
Nonprofit Leader & Opera Advocate· Opera Volunteer International
Melissa Wegner
Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and the Laffont Competition· LinkedIn; The Metropolitan Opera
Melissa Wegner is the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and the Laffont Competition. She is responsible for identifying, awarding, and developing the world’s most promising operatic talent. A member of the Met’s Artistic staff since 2011, she hears artists on stage and screening auditions at the Met and is additionally responsible for casting the Met’s New Opera Commissions workshops.
In addition to the District, Regional and National rounds of the Laffont Competition, Ms. Wegner has adjudicated international competitions including the Belvedere Competition (South Africa, Russia, Latvia), Opera’s Golden Voice (Georgia), the Nicola Martinucci Competition (Italy). US Competitions include the SAI Vocal Competition, the McCammon Voice Competition, and NATSAA Competition.
A faculty member of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Ms. Wegner has also been visiting faculty for Bard College’s Graduate Vocal Arts Program and is a frequent guest speaker at academic institutions, professional companies, and digital media outlets. She has presented at the NATS Winter Workshop and is an active member of Opera America.
Recognized for her leadership in the industry, Ms. Wegner was an official ambassador for Opera America’s 50th Anniversary in 2020, was one of the 2019 Musical America Top 30 Professionals of the Year, and was a 2019 recipient of the Maria Callas Prize of New York from Melos International.
Ms. Wegner is a member of Families of FANA WNY, which supports the orphanage in Colombia from which she was adopted. She has served as a Trustee of the Foundation Board of SUNY Potsdam, an Advisory Board Member of the Bard College Conservatory of Music, and is on the team of advisors for Turn The Spotlight, a mentoring organization for women, BIPOC, and other equity-seeking groups. Ms. Wegner holds degrees from Bard College, The Manhattan School of Music, and The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
A dynamic leader with expertise in financial management, fundraising, strategic planning, and volunteer engagement, Rhonda Sweeney has dedicated decades to supporting the arts and nonprofit organizations. As a seasoned board member and opera advocate, she has played a pivotal role in fundraising, patron engagement, and event management for organizations such as the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Houston Grand Opera, and Opera Volunteers International (OVI).
With a background in IT executive leadership at ExxonMobil, Rhonda brings a strategic and data-driven approach to nonprofit development. She has been recognized for her leadership in opera volunteerism, serving as Chair of the Nominating Committee for OVI and a longtime trustee and leader at Houston Grand Opera. Rhonda holds an M.B.A. from the University of Houston and a B.S. in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University. Passionate about sustaining and growing the opera community, she continues to mentor, advocate, and lead initiatives that ensure the future of opera through strategic fundraising and volunteer engagement.