Friends of the Opera (FOTO) began in 1974 as a support group for Opera Grand Rapids. As an independent non-profit organization with more than 175 members, FOTO works to promote the love of opera in West Michigan.
FOTO members help house visiting artists, host cast parties and educational events. To become a FOTO member, please complete and return the Membership Form. For details about joining, email FOTO President John T. Jones.
FOTO Mission
To provide access to opera, to facilitate opera education, and to encourage support of opera within the communities in which we serve.
Pre-Performance Talks
Join Friends of the Opera (FOTO) for an informative discussion about the opera on the orchestra floor one hour before curtain.
FOTO Board
FOTO Officers
John T. Jones, President
Roland Prevost, Past President
Peggy Barber, Vice President
Nicholas J. VanderLaan, Secretary
FOTO Board Members
Suellen Bandyk
Tom Bandyk
Kate Baxter
Dr. John T. Frey
Clarice Geels
Jan Heerspink
Kyle Irwin
Nancy Knauss
June Marshall
Joanie Snyder
Guenter Tusch
Dave VanderArk
Lorrie VanderArk
FOTO Members
Lifetime Members
William Bjork
Celebration Cinema
Carlos S. Guayara
Jacquelyn DeRegnaucourt
Dr. John T. Frey
Clarice Geels
Stephen Hoyle
Dr. Gary Hurt
Dr. John Iacobucci
Margaret P. Idema
Sidney J. Jr. & Cate Jansma
Marcia Kapolka
Marilyn Titche
Dr. Luis Tomatis
Honorary
Muriel Burger
Harriet Christensen
Joan F. Gillett
Lois Loetz
Robert Lyall
June L. Marshall
Stella Royce
Foley Schuler
John Schuster-Craig
Richard Stien
Opera Grand Rapids Staff
Leslie Black
Dr. Patrick Coyle
Angela Freier
Win Irwin
Maestro James Meena
Sandy Ponsetto
Paula Tibbe
Sarah Watson
Benefactors
Suellen Bandyk
Tom Bandyk
Gil Davis
Nancy Douglas
Carol Erickson
Wallace Erickson
Fran Hall
Cassandra Hayes
Jan Heerspink
Nancy Knauss
Michael Saliba Loughman
Joan Lupton
Marilyn Macklin
Glen Peterson
Roland Prevost
George Snyder
Joanie Snyder
Peter Turner
Guenter Tusch
Dave VanderArk
Lorrie VanderArk
Family
John & Janet Boyles
Jim & Cathy Brady
Robert Byrens & Jerrod Nickels
Gregory Carnevale & Diane Mahon
Lisa DeFarrari & Dan DeWitt
State Senator Joanne & John Emmons
Carol & Wallace Erichseen
John Hunting
Win & Kyle Irwin
John T Jones & Nicholas VanderLaan
Earl & Nella Kennedy
Birgit Klohs
Wallson & Rebecca Knack
Tony Kroes & Shellie Jeffries
Arend & Nancy Lubbers
Alwyn & Christine Rougier-Chapman
Ellie Sarafis
Dale & Mary Witte Schriemer
Dave & Lynn Setsma
Cheryl & John Tully
Karl & Jean VanderLaan
Jim & Kathy Jo VanderLaan
Individuals
Joanne Arnoys
Peggy Barber
Kate Baxter
Cloe Ann Danford
Lois DeBoer
Nancy DeBoer
Christopher Edgar
Susan Forbes
Bob Goodrich
Claudia Hardy
Fran Hall
Lynn Khadija
Michael Kopinski
Mary Kroon
Ewa Lacka
Susan Ford Marschall
Wendy Marty
Philip Mitchell
Julie Otterbein
Toni Perrine
Donald Potter
Margaret Ryan
Dr. Emilana L. SanDiego
Juanita Sharpe
Wendy Stock
Sandra VanderZicht
Arlene Warners
Karen Williams
Gloria Yff