Maestro Vincent LaSelva is a true Steward. He and his non-profit company, The New York Grand Opera, has brought free fully-staged opera to Central Park every summer for 36 years. He relies on donations given to him from opera lovers, but it is he that keeps this operation afloat. He takes chances on singers, like me, when no one else would give them a second look. He took me in, like so many other singers, under his wing. There are so many stories of people that he has pushed up the ladder, and has asked nothing in return ever. He teaches us much more than singing at Juilliard, he teaches us to be true to ourselves, give back to others, and give back to the community.
He is more than a conductor; he is a mentor, a friend, a teacher, a hero. He is always there for all his singers, no matter what time of day, he is the type of man that answers his own phone. That is pretty special considering this man was knighted in Italy for his work in the arts. The New York Grand Opera Company takes opera everywhere it can; to schools, parks, everywhere, so that people who wouldn't otherwise be able to see an opera can. I know that stewardship is taught in church, but I wanted to offer Maestro as an example of not only a good Christian while in church, but a true steward in his life in the community.