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V O L . X X I X N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 2 , 2 0 2 3 30 N E X T U P | 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 F O C U S A singer helps new voices be heard in Maine Lauren Yokabaskas, 34 General director and co-founder, Opera in the Pines Significant professional accomplishment: Co-founding Opera in the Pines, an alternative opera company com- mitted to reinventing the opera experience in Maine, and finding a way forward during the pandemic, which included a career shift from singing professionally. With my partners, I realized we could contribute something special to the community by creating opportunities for local artists, in site-specific productions, with our audience front of mind. That's the kind I would have loved access to as a young singer. I'm incredi- bly proud we are planning our third season and have gained national recognition for our work here "in the pines." Our production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" is a finalist for the American Prize in Opera Performance, and I recently represented the company onstage in the closing ses- sion of the OPERA America Conference in Pittsburgh. Passion project: In the arts, I'm lucky since most of the time my job and my passion projects are one and the same. But when I have a moment, I love learning new skills that increase my understanding of what goes on backstage and could be valuable in the future. Next up, I'm taking a sewing class! Audacious goal: To mount a produc- tion in each of the 16 counties in the state of Maine. Favorite quote: "How wonderful is it that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." — Anne Frank Influential book: "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho Favorite TV shows or movies: Favorite movies — "Auntie Mame," "It's a Wonderful Life," "La La Land." Favorite TV show — "RuPaul's Drag Race" How do you recharge: Walks around my hometown of Cape Elizabeth, a day at the beach, a good book, or trying a new recipe. I'm currently baking my way through "Sweet Enough" by Alison Roman. AT VIP, WE'RE CAR FOLKS. Take a walk around our shops and you'll see it; our ASE Certified Automotive Professionals take enormous pride in knowing their cars— inside and out. More importantly, we under- stand what your car means to you. As northern New England's leader in all things tires and service, we believe in being here when you need us, treating you with respect, and geing the job done right. You deserve that. vipauto.com » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Lauren Yokabaskas is general director and co-founder of Opera in the Pines. With my partners, I realized we could contribute something special to the community by creating opportunities for local artists, in site-specific productions, with our audience front of mind. — Lauren Yokabaskas P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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