SEASON 79 I 29
Mr. Stephen Keller* and Ms. Lesleen Bolt
Stephen Keller and Lesleen Bolt were long-time
supporters of many cultural, service, educational,
and charitable organizations over the years.
Although unacquainted at the time of their residency,
both Mr. Keller and Ms. Bolt formerly lived in
Minneapolis, where they were each active in the
the YMCA, Rotary Club, and Minnesota Opera in
particular; she with a variety of medical and arts
organizations. Mr. Keller relocated to Fort Lauderdale
in 1989 and Ms. Bolt in 1974, wherein each became
notable supporters of the arts community in South
Florida. They met through the Rotary Club of Fort
Lauderdale South, and both became distinguished
Paul Harris Fellows of that organization.
Until his death in 2009, Mr. Keller served on the
Board of Florida Grand Opera and was a member of
president of the Opera Guild of Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
Ms. Bolt shared his passion for the arts, in particular
the opera and the symphony, in addition to having
the same interest in Mr. Keller’s many philanthropic endeavors. In 2007, they received the prestigious Cultural
and Humanitarian Award in recognition of their many contributions to our community. Ms. Bolt is a member of
the Community Foundation of Broward, Royal Dames of Cancer Research, Opera Society, Rotary Club of Fort
Lauderdale South, a Paul Harris fellow with the Rotary International Foundation, and several other notable
organizations. She is also a supporter of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Aids Foundation. Mr.
Keller clearly understood the importance of including philanthropy in his estate plans, and in 2005 he launched the
Million Dollar Legacy Club of Florida Grand Opera with a bequest in excess of $1 million through the Community
Foundation of Broward. Ms. Bolt, as the keeper of Stephen’s legacy, is committed to carrying out his wishes.
Mr. Keller and Ms. Bolt sponsored the Fort Lauderdale performances of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Britten’s Paul
Bunyan, Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila, Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles, and Verdi’s
La traviata. Mr. Keller’s estate gift has also sponsored the production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Puccini’s Suor
Angelica and Verdi’s Rigoletto.
*Deceased
Co-Producer Society Co-Producer