Knoxville Opera director, conductor speaks to AAUW on Monday

Brian Salesky, executive director and conductor of the Knoxville Opera, will be the featured speaker at an AAUW meeting on Monday.

The luncheon meeting of the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch, starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Room 102.

Salesky’s presentation is titled “Knoxville Opera: Serving Knoxville with Passion for 36 Years!”

“Those who have heard Mr. Salesky know of his enthusiasm and verve in speaking,” a press release said.

Salesky joined the Knoxville Opera in May 2005 as executive director and conductor. His administration has been marked by great artistic growth, a tremendous expansion of the company’s education and outreach program, and eight consecutive years of debt-free, in-the-black operations, the release said.

Besides opera, he has enjoyed a highly versatile international career as a conductor of symphonies and chamber orchestras, In addition, he has conducted operetta, ballet, and modern dance, Broadway musicals, and popular music.

During his career in the performing arts, he has also served as a producer/manager of concerts, operas, television, radio and videos and has distinguished himself as an accompanist, music arranger, fundraiser, educator, lecturer, author, and consultant.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, which begins with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon.

A selection of soups and sandwiches from The Soup Kitchen will be available for $8. Reservations may be made by calling Marge Congdon at (865) 483-3120 or Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043.

AAUW is a national organization with branches in all 50 states. The purpose of AAUW is to promote equity for women, lifelong education, and positive societal change. Information about the organization is available at meetings and online at www.aauw.org, aauw-tn.aauw.net, and oakridge-tn.aauw.net.