You’re Invited to Learn More About The
Opera Ball’s 67th Anniversary
The Opera Ball has crowned Tulsa’s vibrant social calendar for 67 years. The Opera Ball will be held March 26, 2027, at the historic Mayo Hotel. All high school seniors, throughout Tulsa and Green Country, are invited to become Debutantes and Squires. Under the auspices of The Guild of Tulsa Opera, this year’s celebration offers lasting recognition and memories to participants. Friends, family, and the community will celebrate your accomplishments, and toast your future.
By joining us, you’ll help support the educational and civic programs of The Guild of Tulsa Opera as members of our Youth Advisory Board. You’ll help chart and continue The Guild’s robust education and engagement initiatives. Together, we’ll also strengthen Tulsa Opera’s 76 year tradition of inspiring, educating, and enriching thousands of Tulsans through nationally-recognized productions and outreach programs.
The Program
From the Youth Advisory Board to Songs by Heart, this robust program engenders deep connections with The Guild and Tulsa Opera.
The Benefits
Debutantes and Squires will appreciate educational opportunities, make new friends, and create personal memories to last a lifetime.
The Ball
The Opera Ball begins in the Grand Hall of The Mayo Hotel with a champagne reception, giving families time to mingle, and have photo portraits taken with their Debutante or Squire. Classical music from a harpist sets the tone for the evening. Guests may take their seats in the Grand Hall, while participants and their escorts return to the Mezzanine, in readiness for the much-anticipated, formal Presentation on the Grand Stair.
After a brief introduction and recognition of all those who helped make this magical night possible, each Debutante and Squire is presented to society. They are joined on the Grand Stair by their mother or father, then promenade past those in attendance. The formal Presentation culminates in the Waltz, an intimate dance in the Grand Hall, amongst families and guests. There is time afterwards for final portraits before adjourning to the Dinner and Dance.
In the anteroom to The Mayo Hotel’s elegant Crystal Ballroom, families and friends may congratulate their Debutante or Squire during a Cocktail Reception. Everyone may enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres while our harpist again provides lovely music. Cozy vignettes are the perfect place for photo ops with friends.
Once in the Crystal Ballroom, you’ll enjoy an Opera-inspired feast, accompanied by performances from Tulsa Opera’s Filstrup Resident Artists. With the Crystal Ballroom’s unparalleled views of Tulsa, you’ll relish dancing the night away with family and friends, listening to a live band.
The Gifts
Each year, Debutantes and Squires are presented commemorative gifts they may treasure forever. The Guild of Tulsa Opera will give each Debutante a custom-designed pearl necklace, elbow-length white gloves, and a floral bouquet to carry during the Presentation, among other surprise favors. Squires will receive their white-tie-and-tails attire for the evening, a formal boutonnière, and custom cufflinks to wear during the Presentation. Squires as well will receive monogrammed cuff links. All participants will receive a framed copy of their formal portrait, courtesy of long-time Opera Ball photographer (and alumna), Amy Herndon. These portraits will be used in a full-page announcement in Tulsa People magazine. While these gifts serve as permanent commemorations, many other rewards await those who join this amazing event.
The Presentation
The Opera Ball celebrates grand traditions of society presentations, while adding modern nuances that appeal to participants and attendees alike. White-tie – and White Gown – attire for Debutantes and Squires alike will follow traditional guidelines, while allowing for individual expression.
The Debutantes
The pure white Debutante ballgown is a longtime tradition which is purchased by the participant. Debutantes may wear white or nude shoes with a sensible heel for the Grand Hall staircase Presentation, then change into another pair for dancing. Debutantes should assemble their wardrobes before formal portraits are photographed in January, preceding Opera Ball.
The Squires
Squires will be provided with white-tie-and-tails tuxedos, including patent shoes and white gloves. Families will provide formal black tuxedo stockings or tall socks. They will be invited for fittings in time for formal portraits to be photographed in January, preceding Opera Ball. After returning their attire, it will be cleaned for wearing again the night of the Presentation.
The Program
The Youth Advisory Board
The Guild of Tulsa Opera has established a Youth Advisory Board, of which all Debutantes and Squires will be members. Its annual goal is to continue the long-time missions of The Guild of Tulsa Opera: To promote the art form throughout our community, and support our remarkable Tulsa Opera company. The Youth Advisory Board’s ultimate goal is to engender a lifelong respect for and involvement in Opera in our community.
Youth Advisory Board (YAB) members will be introduced to each educational and civic program of The Guild of Tulsa Opera and of Tulsa Opera. After discussion, YAB members will decide how some of the proceeds raised through their participating in Opera Ball will be distributed. Their decision will be announced during the Opera Ball. Each YAB member will be proud to add this achievement to their résumé.
Songs by Heart
Tulsa Opera’s therapeutic music program Songs by Heart is an engagement-centered program developed for Memory Care Communities in which a professional level singer leads an interactive sing-along. Singers use therapeutic techniques and encourage residents to join in with singing, clapping, and dancing. Opera Ball participants volunteer with Tulsa Opera leaders during a Songs by Heart session at a local memory care facility. This meaningful and rewarding opportunity is often a highlight of the Opera Ball program. As one participant said, “Those with Alzheimer’s have lost their voice. Songs by Heart helps them find it.”
The Season
The Opera Ball is the pinnacle event of our Season. It’s the culmination of a rich program of social and educational events that you won’t want to miss: A grand Overture (Opera-speak for “Kickoff”) Party for participants and parents will be in September. Youth Advisory Board planning meetings and waltzing lessons (a perfect pair!) over coffee. Behind-the-scenes look into a Tulsa Opera performance all participants may attend. Singing with seniors in their assisted living facilities with Songs by Heart. Plus several social events, which may include a casino party, or clay pigeon shooting party and a Christmas and Carols party. All these lovely opportunities will forge forever friendships across participating area high schools. Never fear, a final waltzing lesson and rehearsal at the Mayo Hotel will ensure each participant has the self-confidence needed to complete an elegant Presentation and Waltz.
These special occasions, and others, are included throughout the season leading up to that magical night. The senior year of your daughter or son will be filled with many special moments. We hope you will include the Opera Ball Program as one of them. The memories made will last a lifetime!
The Benefits
Each Debutante and Squire will appreciate educational opportunities, making new friends, and creating personal memories to last a lifetime. As well, each participant will receive:
- Four (4) tickets to the Opera Ball, at The Mayo Hotel.
- One reservation is for the Debutante or Squire; three for their guests. Additional tickets are available after January 10, 2027. Reserved group seating is available at various Sponsorship levels.
- Formal Presentation, accompanied by a parent or guardian, in the Grand Hall.
- Attire and Accessories for the Opera Ball, including:
- Squires: Wardrobe and fittings; pocket square, floral boutonniere, and personalized cufflinks; personalized pewter julep cup.
- Debutantes: Ball gown, pearl necklace, long gloves, and floral bouquet.
- Invitations to:
- Behind-the-scenes event and tickets for a Tulsa Opera performance.
- Youth Advisory Board meetings.
- Waltz lessons for Debutantes and Squires, and their escort.
- Debutante and Squire socials, and a party or two with their parents!
- Four (4) Tickets to a Tulsa Opera 2025-2026 performance.
- Membership on The Guild of Tulsa Opera’s Youth Advisory Board.
- Parents will receive a one-year membership in The Guild of Tulsa Opera.
- Service hours with Tulsa Opera’s Songs by Heart program.
- Portrait sitting with Amy Herndon Photography.
- All participants will receive a framed portrait. Additional images may be purchased from the photographer.
- Full-page announcement of Opera Ball Debutantes and Squires in Tulsa People.
- Professional digital photographs of the Presentation, plus group shots with family and friends, taken in the Grand Hall.
- Prints of photographs may be purchased from the photographer.
- Supporting The Guild of Tulsa Opera’s educational and civic programs, and by extension, supporting Tulsa Opera.
The Requirements
- The Guild of Tulsa Opera requests all registrations be completed by December 15, 2026. Late registrations may be considered on an individual basis.
- Debutante fees are $6,000 if received by October 1st and increases to $6,500 after that date. $2,000 is due upon registration. The balance is due January 6, 2027.
- Squire fees are $4,000 if received by October 1st and increases to $4,500 after that date. $2,000 is due upon registration. The balance is due January 6, 2027.
- For IRS purposes, the amount beyond $3,500 is tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
- Accessories for Opera Ball, as stated above.
The Photographer
We are thrilled to welcome back photographer Amy Herndon to Opera Ball. Amy is a mom of three kids who turned passion for photography into a well-known and highly respected business. Since 2009, Amy has created pictures that evoke emotion and illustrate the precious details of families, children and young adults. Amy has graciously donated her services to Tulsa Opera since 2014, as the official photographer for the Squire and Debutante portraits. Her two sons and daughter all participated in Opera Ball. Amy served as co-chair of the ball each of those years. Her experience and knowledge are invaluable, and we are thrilled to have her help again this year both as an Opera Ball committee member and as our photographer.
If you have any questions, please contact TulsaOperaGuild@gmail.com.