Katherine Willson
Voice Scholarship
Program
The Katherine Willson Voice Scholarship Program is for students selected from area colleges and universities. These students participate in main stage productions, education and outreach programs, and act as musical ambassadors for Mobile Opera. Young Artists work with internationally recognized soloists, directors, designers, and conductors.
About Katherine Willson
Mobile Opera was founded in 1946 by Madame Rose Palmai-Tenser, a Czechoslovakian refuge from Nazi Germany. When Rose died in 1971, Katherine Willson was the person who stepped up to the task of leadership. Over the next 25 years, Katherine brought Mobile Opera to national recognition as one of the nation’s best regional Opera companies, brought Mobile Opera into the newly formed Opera America, achieved accreditation from The National Endowment for The Arts, formed the production company (Mobile Opera, Inc), and created strong links to the community through education programs as well as audience development. She stepped down as General Director in 1986 but returned several times in interim capacities, served on the Board of Directors, and supported Mobile Opera with generous contributions.