About Opera of the Plains
Our Mission
At Opera of the Plains, we believe opera can be magical and accessible for everyone—especially young audiences. That’s why we present beloved operatic works with a twist: reimagining the music with English lyrics and weaving them into familiar fairy tales. By blending timeless stories with the power of opera, we create engaging, approachable performances that introduce school-age students to this incredible art form. In addition to delighting young audiences, we offer valuable performance and training opportunities for opera and musical theatre enthusiasts across the Texas Panhandle and beyond. Through creativity and connection, we’re building a bridge to the world of opera, one story at a time.
Our Story
Established in May 2022 by Brian Kuhnert, Opera of the Plains was founded with the primary objective of introducing young audiences to the art of opera through the innovative fusion of operatic masterpieces set to new libretti inspired by popular folk tales. Initially, performance opportunities were limited to the nearby city of Midland, Texas, but have since expanded to encompass students from various schools across the Texas Panhandle. Furthermore, Opera of the Plains was established to provide professional performance experience for young performers in the region, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue careers in opera. The organization’s mission has since evolved to encompass mainstage performance opportunities for the numerous young artists studying and originating from the Panhandle, offering enriching experiences for both performers and audiences.
Meet our board
Our dedicated board, made up of passionate individuals, shares a common goal: inspiring young minds by introducing them to the art of opera.
Dr. Brian Kuhnert
Founder & President
Lyndi Williams
Vice President
Cooper Trolinger
Secretary
Dr. Kennith Freeman
Treasurer
Taylor Moreno
Social Media & Marketing
Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert
Board Member
Deborah Weiss
Board Member
Sauncy Reddick
Board Member
Tennille Reneau
Board Member
Bailey Hair
Board Member
Dr. BJ Brooks
Ex Officio
Dr. Richard Fountain
Ex Officio
Stacy Pepper
Ex Officio
Katie Osuampke
Ex Officio