Opera Orlando and AdventHealth: creating harmony for whole-person healing

ORLANDO, Fla. — When AdventHealth launched its partnership with Opera Orlando last year, it was built on a shared belief: the arts are more than entertainment — they’re essential to health and healing.

Now in its second year, that partnership has reached a milestone moment: an AdventHealth team member taking the stage in one of Opera Orlando’s most celebrated performances to date.

Lauren Perrotta, a trumpet player in the AdventHealth Orchestra and a project manager in the system’s corporate facilities department, joined the ensemble of Treemonisha, Scott Joplin’s rarely performed opera. Her role wasn’t just musical — it became symbolic of the mission both organizations share.

“I never imagined I’d get to be part of something like this through work.” --Lauren Perrotta

“Lauren jumped right in — a true professional,” said Gabe Preisser, general director and CEO of Opera Orlando. “We needed a trumpet player just two days before rehearsal. AdventHealth recommended her, and she was flawless from the start.”

For Perrotta, the opportunity bridged her personal passion and her professional world. “When I play music, I feel whole — mentally, physically, spiritually,” she said. “I never imagined I’d get to be part of something like this through work.”

The arts in health: more than a message

AdventHealth's ongoing partnership with Opera Orlando reflects its long-term strategy to integrate the arts into its care model and community outreach. As the official health care provider of Opera Orlando, AdventHealth supports performances, has providers uniquely trained to care for performing artists, and offers vocal health seminars through its specialized Performance Health Program — the only one of its kind in Central Florida.

The relationship between AdventHealth and Opera Orlando caters specifically to the needs of performing artists, offering everything from injury prevention to acute care resources and scholarships for youth artists.

“Everyone comes together with a shared goal.” -- Richard Hickam

A healing orchestra

Founded in 2020, the AdventHealth Orchestra is composed of more than 70 team members from across the organization, including physicians, executives, nurses and support staff. It’s a program designed not only to serve the community through concerts and outreach — but also to serve the internal AdventHealth team by fostering connection, purpose and wellbeing.

“Everyone comes together with a shared goal,” said Richard Hickam, AdventHealth’s corporate director of music and the arts. “In the orchestra, job titles disappear. What unites us is music and mission.”

“The arts inspire, they connect, they heal.” -- Gabe Preisser

Celebrating the arts — and a milestone year

Opera Orlando recently kicked off its 10th anniversary season with La Bohème, presented with support from AdventHealth. Throughout the season, AdventHealth team members will receive ticket discounts and engagement opportunities — part of an ongoing effort to make the arts more accessible across Central Florida.

“The arts inspire, they connect, they heal,” said Preisser. “And having a partner like AdventHealth — that not only understands this but lives it — has been transformative for our organization and our audiences.”

From the concert hall to the hospital, the partnership continues to demonstrate that wellness doesn’t start or end with a diagnosis. Sometimes, it begins with a trumpet — and a team member who’s ready to play.