By Ceci Dadisman, director of communications Palm Beach Opera, a winner of the 2013 Knight Arts Challenge South Florida

More than a year ago, we were excited to learn that we would receive an $80,000 Knight Arts Challenge matching grant from Knight Foundation. The funds from the Knight Arts Challenge were awarded to help subsidize our second annual Opera @ The Waterfront concert. This widely attended, free concert is held at the outdoor Meyer Amphitheater in downtown West Palm Beach. It was an honor to be chosen for the grant by members of our community and we could not wait to get started on our campaign to meet our goal for the Knight Arts Challenge.

We are thrilled to announce that our campaign was successful and we surpassed our goal of $80,000 to match the grant! We received an enthusiastic response to our campaign mailings, e-mails and social media efforts. As a result of this campaign, 25 percent of donors were new to Palm Beach Opera. This shows that our community loves Opera @ The Waterfront and wants to help ensure that we are able to share our music with as many people as possible.

Opera @ The Waterfront is on track for another successful year. We have finalized a great program line-up with internationally known singers who will put on an amazing concert of opera favorites that are sure to wow those who are new to opera and seasoned opera lovers alike. On the technology front, our newly designed custom mobile app is in its final stages of completion, and our live-streaming efforts have come to fruition. Opera @ The Waterfront will be available live online for anyone who cannot make it out to the concert.

We want to thank everyone who contributed to our Knight Arts Challenge matching grant. It is with the support of the community that we are able to unite thousands of people in South Florida through live opera. We hope to see you on Dec. 13 for Opera @ The Waterfront!