03 - The battle between generations and how to make opera a warmer space with Jonelle Sills

In this episode of the Compassionate Revolution podcast, Alaina Viau (founder of Loose Tea Music Theatre) and soprano Jonelle Sills talk about building trust with community and creating a safe and inclusive space for engagement.

Are younger audiences more interested in how art can positively impact people and bring about change in their hearts and minds?  Observations show they're particularly drawn to the social work and social justice aspects of classical music, wanting to understand how it affects their communities and relates to them as individuals. In contrast, the older generation may prioritize prestige and elitism in classical music. How does the classical music industry balance these two opposing needs?

Timestamps:

[00:01:06] Developing community around opera.
[00:03:49] Opera's elitism problem.
[00:07:11] Making space for community engagement.
[00:10:42] Creating space and engaging community.
[00:11:43] Building community in opera.
[00:15:50] Warmth in the opera industry.
[00:18:33] Work environment dynamics.
[00:22:30] Judgement and support in adversity.
[00:26:13] Compassionate care for artists.
[00:30:50] Volunteer opportunities in opera.
[00:36:13] Building community through intentional connections.
[00:37:21] The challenges of sustaining a career in classical music.
[00:40:28] Impact of art on people.
[00:43:38] Community engagement in theater.
[00:48:34] Collaboration in the arts.
[00:50:20] Authenticity in artistic spaces.

Links:

Connect with Jonelle Sills
https://jonellesills.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jonellesills/

Connect with Alaina Viau
https://www.alainaviau.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alainaviau/

Connect with Loose Tea Music Theatre
https://looseteamusictheatre.com/
https://www.instagram.com/looseteatheatre/