About
There is no instrument more capable of nuanced communication than the human voice. Its versatility can unite mankind and allows us to make unique connections with one another. Some scientists, linguists, and archaeologists even believe that the concept of language evolved from the singing, or melodic sounds, of our distant ancestors. No matter the era or mother tongue, music moves people and provides a way to experience humanity’s greatest joys and trials.
Lyric Opera of Orange County’s mission is to engage with a modern and diverse audience by offering meaningful musical experiences that honor the operatic repertoire, feature artistic excellence, and present timely showcases of a traditional art form.
Our vision is to impact our community by bringing world class artistry, ideas, and programming to Orange County. We strive to entertain and educate our community by weaving traditional and innovative offerings into the rich cultural tapestry of our region as the premier organization for operatic excellence in Orange County.
We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion above all in our endeavors. Read more about how we honor our values here.
Meet Our Board
Diana Farrell
President & Artistic Director
A winner of the 2023 American Prize, Women in Opera Division and 2023 AIMS in Gratz Vocal Competition, American lyric spinto soprano, Diana Farrell, has been hailed for her “golden voice.” She is best known for her portrayal of the titular role of Puccini’s Tosca, Magda in Menotti’s The Consul, Jake’s Heggie’s Krystyna Zywulska in Two Remain, and Verdi’s Lady Macbeth, for which her “passionate intensity…” earned high praise as she “consistently sang with beauty and sensitivity.” This season Ms. Farrell makes her Carnegie Hall debut as both a singer and the librettist for Brooke deRosa’s The Yellow Wallpaper. In 2023, she made company debuts with San Diego Opera, Pacific Symphony, and Pacific Opera Project. She has also appeared in the roles of Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), Contessa Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Micaëla (Carmen), Anna Maurrant (Street Scene), Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Miriam (Lee Hoiby’s The Scarf), and the title role of Amelia Goes to the Ball, among others, with companies such as Opera Western Reserve, The Crested Butte Music Festival, Nightingale Opera Theatre, Pacific Lyric Association, and Simsbury Light Opera.
Behind the scenes, Diana has garnered attention for her insightful work as a stage director and librettist. Her debut librettos include deRosa’a The Yellow Wallpaper (January 2025 debut at Carnegie Hall) and Derrick Skye’s Gilgamesh for the Assyrian Arts Institute (March 2026 Premiere in LA). She is the Artistic Director for Lyric Opera of Orange County, which was named Emerging Arts Organization of the Year for 2022 by Arts OC. In 2022 Diana was also named a Women Leader in Orange County Arts by OC Supervisor Katrina Foley’s office, and an OC Visionary by the LA Times. She has recently become engaged with The Assyrian Arts Institute as a librettist and Resident Master Artist. Diana has become a frequent judge and panelist for competitions, grant committees, and young artist training programs around the country. She has worked as a director at multiple opera and musical theatre programs around the Great Lakes area and for companies like Pacific Lyric Association and Opera Western Reserve.
When not focusing on opera, Diana performs with the Grammy award winning Pacific Chorale. Highlights from past concert engagements include Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Soprano Soloist with Poway Symphony Orchestra, a performances of Strauss’s Vier Lied with Peninsula Symphony Orchestra, Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été with the Dana Symphony Orchestra, an appearance with the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the soprano soloist with the Centre Chorale for Mozart’s Requiem and Saint Saën’s Oratorio de Noël. Diana is the winner of multiple awards throughout her career, completing her formal studies with a Master of Music performance from Youngstown State University and an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Michael O'Halloran
General Director & Board Chair
Michael O’Halloran has performed over 40 roles domestically and internationally.
Recently, he has been seen as Marcello in Puccini’s La bohème, Mizgir’ in the West Coast premiere of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Снегурочка, Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Mercutio in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Don Annibale in Donizetti’s Il Campanello, Dancaïro in Bizet’s Carmen, King Melchior in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Peter in Hansel and Gretel, and Lysander in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. He workshopped the role of Tenorio in Armienta’s Bless Me, Ultima with Opera Southwest, and performed the role of the Policeman, as well as covered Orphée in Philip Glass’ Orphée as an Emerging Artist at Virginia Opera. Michael made his Virginia Opera debut as a Spectrum Resident Artist, singing Il Principe Yamadori and covering Sharpless in Madama Butterfly. While at Manhattan School of Music, he was seen as Pisandre in Fauré’s Pénélope, and Vernon in Summer and Smoke, having the honor of being a part of the world premiere recording, which was hailed as one of the “Top Ten New Recordings” by Opera News. He is proud to be the first American vocalist to be a junger Künstler Bayreuth at the Bayreuther Festspiele.
While an artist in residence with Virginia Opera, he brought specialized educational content to over 90 schools in the Commonwealth, and received specialized training at the Manhattan School of Music designing unique curricula and outreach concerts for hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, and schools. His knowledge and love of the history and traditions in the operatic canon has informed our outreach concerts to make opera accessible and enjoyable to everyone.
Robert Graulich
Board of Directors Chair, Emeritus
Mr. Graulich is a retired corporate and federal government executive with 40 years experience in government and private industry. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Graulich served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, and following his return was awarded a Congressional Fellowship. He subsequently served as Director of Congressional Relations for several government departments, and in the mid-1970s was named Country Director for Peace Corps Malaysia, the largest volunteer contingent of its time. In the 1980s, Mr. Graulich co-founded a renewable energy company, played a primary role in bringing the company public, and served as VP Corporate Communications and Administration. Over the years, Mr. Graulich served on the boards of several community and charitable organizations, including the National Peace Corps Association, the Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts, and board chair of a homeowners association.
Cindy Drennan
Board Treasurer
Cindy has spent her life focusing on ways to give back to her community. She graduated with a Bachelors in Linguistics from UCLA in 1975. From there, she used her gifts with various administrative positions amongst churches and non-profit organizations. Her passion for uplifting communities has taken her across the globe in countries such as Honduras, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Rwanda, Palestine, and many others. Outside of her charitable works, she has a passion for music, serving as a member of The Festival Singers of Orange County.
Scotland (Scotty) King
Director at Large
Ms. King is a recent transplant to Orange County. She is an active volunteer at her church and as a teacher of ceramics at her grandchildren’s school. She built her career in financial services over 27 years at Citigroup and its predecessor organizations where she held a wide range of executive positions, ultimately retiring as its head of global learning and development. Scotty has supported Lyric Opera of Orange County since its inception.
Maggie Thompson
Board Secretary
Maggie Currently serves as the Vice President of Advancement for the Austin Symphony Orchestra, but comes from opera roots. As a mezzo-soprano Maggie Thompson has performed countless credits on both the recital and operatic stage. Her most recent roles included Puck in Lyric Opera of Orange County’s The Fairy Queen and Hansel in the company’s Hansel and Gretel. Maggie was born in Tustin and attended the Orange County High School of the Arts. After receiving a Vocal Degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she returned to Orange County and has dedicated her time to preserving the musical arts in the area. Maggie served as the Director of Special Events at Pacific Symphony and is responsible for raising over $2 million each year for their educational and artistic programs. Her role with Lyric Opera of Orange County, although a smaller budget, is similar and a natural fit for Maggie. While serving on the Board of LOOC, Maggie produced our first ever fundraising event which surpassed its goal and paved the way for future successes.
Walter Yenkosky
Director at Large
Walter Yenkosky started his career as an infantry Marine in Camp Pendleton, CA. He was selected to lead sections and design curriculum at two different schools in the Marine Corps. He was medically separated after ten years of service. Upon departingthe Marine Corps, Walter went into technology sales while pursuing degrees in business, digital innovation, and information systems. He went on to manage programs at an information technology start-up before being recruited into a consulting firm in the Midwest as a specialist in business and information systems.
Mr. Yenkosky joined OC Music and Dance as Director of Operations and was promoted to their Chief Operating Officer in less than a year,before taking an Operations Position for the Arts department of Santa Ana College. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for Arts OC and currently sits on the Board of Advisors for Northwest Alliance of Consultants.
