Wellness & Resilience

Florida Grand Opera (FGO) believes in the transformative power of music, not just as entertainment, but as a tool for healing, connection, and emotional well-being. Through its Wellness & Resilience initiatives, FGO brings opera to those who serve and those who are healing: veterans, first responders, medical personnel, and communities facing trauma and crisis.

At the heart of this mission is Voices of Wellness, a multi-faceted program that offers free concerts, trauma-informed workshops, and music-based interventions. Since 2014, FGO has provided over 3,000 free tickets to veterans and first responders. Now, the program is expanding to include Voices for Our Heroes, which offers unique opera experiences, cultural weekends, and opportunities to participate in performances, honoring those who protect, serve, and heal.

Voices of Resilience (VOR) trains culturally competent artists in mental health and crisis response, empowering them to lead workshops and performances that foster healing. These artists engage directly with individuals experiencing loss, trauma, or hardship, using music to restore breath, posture, confidence, and emotional strength.

Each May, FGO hosts the Voices of Wellness Summit & Concert, a nationally recognized event during Mental Health Awareness Month. It brings together neuroscientists, music therapists, mental health advocates, and artists to explore the intersection of opera and wellness. The summit includes keynote talks, workshops like “Healing Through Opera” and “Music Therapy for PTSD Recovery,” and performances by FGO Studio Artists and Voices of Resilience singers.

Another innovative component is The Opera Closet, which provides formalwear to emerging artists and community members who may not otherwise afford it. In partnership with the Miami Dade Fashion Institute, students help curate and maintain the collection, gaining mentorship and hands-on experience. Each garment carries a QR code that tells its story, connecting donors, wearers, and the legacy of opera in a meaningful, sustainable way.

FGO also supports its own artists and staff through Self-Care & Wellness Resources, offering education and services to sustain their physical and emotional health during demanding rehearsal and performance schedules.

With a $2 million expansion goal, FGO is committed to growing these programs and deepening their impact. Your support helps bring the restorative power of opera to those who need it most, turning music into medicine, and performance into healing.

Join us in using opera as a catalyst for hope. Your gift helps build resilience, restore joy, and uplift lives through the arts.