Biography: Dr. Carol Ann Priest Chotard, age 82, was born April 21, 1942, and passed away January 4, 2025.  She was preceded in death by her parents Basil Underwood Priest and Wanda June Cheney Priest. 
 
Ann received her Bachelor of Music degree from Henderson State University.  Her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees were earned from The University of Colorado with emphasis on directing, coaching, vocal pedagogy, and opera production. 
 
Ann's contributions to the world of classical music are immeasurable.  She founded The Arkansas Opera Theater in 1973 while teaching at Henderson.  AOT was the only professional opera company in Arkansas at the time, and all operas were performed in English which made them accessible to those not familiar with operatic music.  After the founding of Wildwood, AOT became The Opera Company at Wildwood. 
 
Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts was conceived by Ann and opened in 1991.  She acted as both executive director and artistic director at Wildwood until her retirement in 2007.  She then founded The Chotard Institute of Music which specialized in college preparatory training for aspiring young classical singers. 
 
Ann was brilliant, dedicated, determined, and focused.  Her vision was ahead of the times in Arkansas.  Her awards were numerous, including Distinguished Alumnus at both Henderson and University of Colorado, Top 100 Women in Arkansas, National Governor's Award for the Arts, and Arkansas Business Non-Profit Executive of the Year. 
 
Ann loved travel, reading, and minimalist Asian decor.  Part of her extensive book collection stemmed from Harold Bloom's Western Canon, describing and listing the greatest books of the ages.  She collected beautiful and unusual masks from around the world.  Many of Ann's masks will be on display at Wildwood. 
 
Ann is survived by her sister, Janet Priest Hyde (George) of Hockley, Texas, niece Katherine Hyde of McKinney, Texas, niece Kristen Brashear of Hockley, Texas, great-niece Paige Ariane Brashear, great-nephew Zachary Lane Brashear, and kitties Ocie and Mollie. 
 
There will be no memorial service per Ann's wishes.  Donations in memory of Ann may be made to Wildwood Park for the Arts (20919 Denny Rd, Little Rock, AR 72223). Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com