In a moment when arts funding, civic trust, and community wellbeing are all under pressure, advocacy can’t be optional—it has to be a core competency. Michael J. Bobbitt, President and CEO of OPERA America will demystify advocacy for choral practitioners at every scale, with a particular focus on the realities of small and tiny organizations that often feel they don’t have the time, staffing, or “insider” access to participate meaningfully. 

The keynote will offer practical, doable approaches that attendees can implement immediately: ways to show up as trusted community voices, build relationships with local and state decision-makers, activate singers and audiences as advocates, and integrate advocacy into the everyday rhythm of organizational life without overwhelming limited capacity. Participants will leave with clear actions they can take in their own communities—especially those leading lean teams—along with a mindset shift: advocacy isn’t a separate lane for large institutions; it’s a tool any chorus can use to strengthen visibility, legitimacy, and long-term sustainability.