A Community Effort

By Torlef Borsting -- Community is defined as “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals”.

My name is Torlef Borsting and as the brand-new Development Director for First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, I am so pleased to be part of this community. I have been so impressed by the generosity of both individuals and organizations in our small but very vibrant city. My goal as Development Director is to connect with all of you especially because we share a common respect for the arts as well as a devotion to the quality that First Coast Opera delivers.

Because we are a small company and our ticket sales only account for roughly 52% of our total operating budget, we depend on you to help us close the gap with your hard-earned dollars knowing that we will promise you value for your donation. Our mission every season is to deliver two fully staged operas with the finest local and regional talent as well as fun additional events built around dinners, musical presentations, and a large fundraising Gala. Our Gala has grown into a party involving brilliant international entertainment while also maintaining a close knit gathering of like-minded arts enthusiasts throughout St. Augustine and St John’s County.

I look forward to meeting and talking with each and every one of you as we discuss the investment it takes to maintain our community’s high cultural watermark. First Coast Opera is for you and we need build our future together.

Torlef can be reached at TBorsting@FirstCoastOpera.com