Our Officers
Dr. Joan Ortega-Cowan
President
Joan was born in New Jersey, and moved with her family to Cocoa, Florida when she was a young teenager when her father took an engineering position at Cape Canaveral Space Center (now Kennedy Space Center). She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Rollins College, with focus on history, political science and foreign languages. She earned her Doctoral Degree from Florida Atlantic University in Higher Education Management. She first discovered opera in Paris at a performance of Tales of Hoffmann at the Opera Comique. "My husband, Román, actually introduced me to the world of opera since he is an operatic baritone and knows practically every opera written," she says. "We have attended opera performances all over the world." In 1988, Rosemary Gagliardi asked them to become involved in the Vero Beach Opera Guild which they did. Joan has served as a Board Member, President and Executive Director during the past 21 years. She has sung in the choruses of Carmen, Madama Butterfly and La Traviata. "La bohème is my favorite because of the music but also because it takes place in one of my favorite cities – Paris. I speak several foreign languages so attending operas gives me an opportunity to enjoy operas even more."
Dr. Robert J. Loewinger
Vice-President
Robert Loewinger - "Dr. Bob" - is our Vice President and the one who presents the flowers on stage to all our beautiful female singers! He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He is a Dermatologic Surgeon, but also trained as a Urologist. He served in the Air Force for two years. He was a teenager and developed a love for opera from Tony the barber. The Schenkel’s, Mary’s parents, got us involved with Treasure Coast Opera where he became a board member. He traveled to Palm Beach Opera for opening night for about 10 years! Bob became involved with Vero Beach Opera when Joan and Roman asked him to become a director in 19--. His favorite opera is Il Trovatore. "I love the arias," he says. "They are very emotional."
Ed Halsey, CPA
Treasurer
Thank you, Ed!
Carol Palowich
Corporate Secretary
Carol does so much for Vero Beach Opera! Her bio is coming soon.