March 14, 2016

Arizona Opera Gala Luncheon Celebrates Two Valley Women

Left: Tammy McLeod. Middle, top: Andrew Penning, Sarah Tucker, Marion Roose Pullin, Cody Martin, Alyssa Martin and Joseph Lattanzi (The Arizona Opera Studio Artists with Marion Roose Pullin). Middle, bottom: Ellie Shapiro, Nancy Spetzler, Jill Merrion, Lynne Sonntag, Mary Ann Cavness, Christy Burton, Nicole Nakaji, Marjorie Baxley, Kristen Spetzler, Karen Broome and Elizabeth Chatham. Right: Cody Martin

The Arizona Opera Gala Luncheon was held Feb. 18 at El Chorro in Paradise Valley. Nancy Spetzler and Christina Chambers co-chaired the hostess committee, and Billie Jo and Judd Herberger were the honorary chairs.

Two Arizona ladies were induction into the Arizona Opera Crystal Key Society, founded in 2015 to recognize individuals and institutions who have contributed in extraordinary ways to the Arizona Opera mission, elevating the transformative power of storytelling through music across Arizona. Marion Roose Pullin, founder of the Opera Studio, and Tammy McLeod, vice president of resource management at APS, were celebrated for their significant contributions to Arizona Opera and the cultural legacy of the state.

Proceeds from the event were dedicated to the Arizona Opera Studio, which educates the rising stars of the operatic world while providing them with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to take the main stage alongside the best singers in the industry.

The afternoon also included performances from tenor James Valenti, soprano Lauren Wilde, baritone Morgan Smith and the Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artists.

The event was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, APS and SRP. Event planning and design was by Anthony & Stork.

RACHEL SOLOMON PHOTOGRAPHY