Grand opera has been a constant in Yolanda Heller’s life since she was young. “I grew up with opera and classical music, as did my parents and grandparents,” says Yolanda when asked how she was introduced to opera.

When she was a child, Yolanda’s parents would play recordings of classical music in their home. This included recordings of grand opera along with Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. “My mother was a huge fan of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald,” says Yolanda.

After attending her first LA Opera performance in the early 1990’s, Yolanda became a regular ticket buyer and has been a subscriber for more than 30 years.

Yolanda and her family love to share their passion for the art form with others. “My husband’s parents used to take our son to the Saturday morning children’s opera series at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and I played opera and classical music for my students when I was working,” she says. Additionally, Yolanda has brought numerous friends to opera performances, encouraging them to make opera a part of their own lives.

Yolanda also shares her passion for the art form by making charitable contributions in support of LA Opera. Many are surprised to learn that ticket sales cover less than half the cost to produce a season of opera. As a nonprofit opera company, we rely on tax-deductible donations to make up the difference.