Jack Dysart
It was Jack’s Aunt Rosemary, a mezzo-soprano, who introduced him to opera and the vocal arts. “She sang light opera in St. Louis during the summer season and often performed at family gatherings.”
It was Verdi that gave Jack his first full-length opera experience. “I saw Rigoletto with the San Francisco Opera in 1966.”
But a musical ah-ha moment happened right here in Steamboat. “It was Sandra Eddy singing the Habañera from our 2010 production of Carmen,” says Jack. “She completely captivated the audience!”
Jack stepped into the CEO role for the opera company in 2009 when the organization was still known as Emerald City Opera. It was his superb organizational and financial skills that helped the organization make a leap to a new level.
Jack grew up in California and graduated from California State University with a degree in Economics. He pursued post-graduate studies in business administration and received a certificate in Personal Financial Planning from UCLA.
Professionally, Jack spent many years in marketing and sales and forty years with the United States Navy, a career that included assignments in various units as an Admin. Officer, Division Officer, Operations Officer, and Commanding Officer. He retired in 2007 as a Captain.
What’s on Jack’s bucket list? “Hiking Italian lakes and Dolomites, a return to southern France, visiting northern Spain and Portugal, taking an ocean cruise, and visiting Brazil and Uruguay.”
Jack and his wife, Carole Milligan (a former Opera Steamboat board member), enjoy skiing, hiking, bicycling, travel, and music. He is an instrument-rated private pilot.
When asked to name something most people would be surprised to learn, Jack says, “I built my own airplane. It was a Lancair 360, two seat single engine and very efficient. It flew at 200 mph and got 30 mpg.”
Opera Steamboat isn’t the only nonprofit to benefit from Jack’s skills: he serves as a board member for Steamboat Creates and the Yampa Valley Autism Program and is also a Sierra Club life member.
Jack is also the Founder of Steamboat Folk, a local amateur music group. You can catch them at First Friday Art Walks among other events!
