Proven fundraiser Lyndsay Werking-Yip will support the Festival’s 50th Anniversary and beyond.
Cooperstown, NY: The Glimmerglass Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyndsay Werking-Yip as its new Director of Development. An accomplished arts leader whose connection to Glimmerglass began as an Apprentice, Werking-Yip returns to the Festival as the organization celebrates its 50th Anniversary season and completes Destined to Glimmerglass, a comprehensive campaign to ensure the company’s future of bold storytelling, artistic beauty, life-changing artistic training, and professional mentorship.
A skilled fundraiser and relationship-builder, Werking-Yip brings over 15 years of experience in arts administration, strategic development, and storytelling to her new role. She most recently served as Director of Development & Communications at the American Composers Orchestra (ACO). Over nearly a decade, she led significant organizational growth, including a $1 million increase in the annual budget, a 73% jump in assets, and a 40 %+ increase in contributed income. She played a key role in expanding the organization’s board capacity, deepening existing partnerships and establishing new ones with foundations and corporations, and fostering community among all stakeholders, including artists, staff, partners, and supporters.
“The Glimmerglass Festival played an essential role in launching my career,” shares Werking-Yip. “As a newly minted college graduate, I spent the summer of 2009 at Glimmerglass as the Dramaturgy & Projected Titles Apprentice. By the summer’s end, I was set to move to New York City, and, through my Glimmerglass network, eventually secured my first job at OPERA America. Since then, the Festival, its campus, and the many people I’ve met there have held a special place in my heart. Returning now, when the company celebrates five decades of music, theater, and mentorship, is a meaningful full-circle moment. I’m deeply inspired by the Glimmerglass community and thrilled to help shape the company’s next chapter in partnership with Rob Ainsley and the Festival team, our Board of Trustees, and our generous community of supporters.”
In addition to her tenure at ACO, Werking-Yip has held leadership positions at OPERA America and American Lyric Theater. She has developed a personal approach to building organizational resources rooted in connection, joy, and strategic vision. Prizing collaboration, Werking-Yip has introduced many individuals and institutions to the delight of giving and supporting artists. By translating big-picture visions into actionable plans, she has implemented custom donor databases, refreshed communications platforms and approaches, and built bespoke project management systems — efforts that have collectively yielded millions in new support.
“As Chair of the Development Committee and Co-Chair of the Destined to Glimmerglass Campaign, I am delighted to welcome Lyndsay back to the Festival in this crucial role,” said Trustee Allison Hill-Edgar. “Her accomplishments and career exemplify the power of the Glimmerglass experience. She brings a rare combination of strategic acumen and heartfelt connection to our mission — essential qualities as we build support for our next chapter. Her leadership will be key to realizing the vision of Destined to Glimmerglass and ensuring the Festival’s success for generations to come.”
“From our first meeting, it was clear that Lyndsay brings not only deep experience, but also a vision that aligns beautifully with my own and where the Festival is headed,” said Artistic & General Director Rob Ainsley. “She understands what makes Glimmerglass unique and brings a creativity and clarity to the role that will elevate our development efforts at this exciting inflection point for the company. I look forward to the dynamic partnerships we will build together as we shape the Festival’s next 50 years.”
Working in a hybrid capacity between New York City and Cooperstown, Werking-Yip will oversee all aspects of Glimmerglass’s development program, including individual giving, government and foundation support, corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, and campaign planning. She will work closely with staff and the Board of Trustees to build on the organization’s strong foundation while advancing the goals of Destined to Glimmerglass, which aims to secure vital resources for artistic innovation, essential mentorship programs, and strengthened community connections.
About the 2025 Season
The 50th Anniversary season celebrates the performers, dreamers, and creators whose alchemy takes our breath away with a season showcasing “The Art of Making Art.” Mainstage productions include Puccini, Illica & Giacosa’s Tosca, Sondheim & Lapine’s Sunday in the Park with George, and Stravinsky, Auden & Kallman’s The Rake’s Progress. The season will also feature the world premiere of The House on Mango Street, based on the classic novel, with a libretto by renowned and celebrated author Sandra Cisneros and a score by GRAMMY-nominee Derek Bermel. The Festival will also feature the youth opera, Odyssey, by Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke, in the Alice Busch Opera Theater for the first time, and a one-night-only performance by Broadway legend Bernadette Peters.