Vancouver Opera has appointed three honorary chairs for its 50th golden anniversary season, one of whom is a grade five student at Glenview Elementary School in Prince George.

Ten-year-old Justin Woolfrey, who attended a recent Vancouver Opera In Schools performance of Veda Hille's Jack Pine opera, is in esteemed company. He joins international stage director Irving Guttman, artistic founder of Vancouver Opera, who mounted a famed 1963 production of Norma featuring Dame Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne; and internationally acclaimed coloratura mezzo-soprano Judith Forst, who most recently appeared with VO last May as Herodias in Richard Strauss's Salome.

"Children need a chance to learn about all kinds of things, especially the things they have not heard of—and to enjoy the good things that learning can bring," said Woolfrey in a news release. "You never know what is inside a person until they have an opportunity and this is an opportunity for me to share who I am with others, and encourage other kids to always give it your best shot, no matter what."

All three honorary chairs will oversee the company's Golden Anniversary Concert & Gala November 6, details of which have yet to be released. Tickets available at www.vancouveropera.ca/.