Today’s Arts Education, Tomorrow’s Leaders

For 40 years, OperaDelaware has brought opera into schools and children to the opera because we believe that youth, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserve an affordable way to experience all that opera has to offer. Our Education and Outreach Programs are designed to: ignite the love and understanding of music and opera; build the opera artists, artisans and audiences of tomorrow; enrich the lives of the children in our community; and provide an outlet for underserved children and schools that have little or no access to music.

These children are our community, our future. They will be inspired by the arts for years to come in whatever profession they choose, because the arts unleash their imaginations and the greater the imagination, the greater the innovation; the greater the innovation, the likelier they are to develop techniques and products that make us smarter, healthier, and happier – keeping Delaware competitive in the 21st century.

Help us prepare our children for tomorrow’s world!

Youth Opera Program
With workshops available throughout the year, this exciting and comprehensive program offers youth opportunities to learn skills that are essential to becoming accomplished musical theatre and opera professionals. Grades: 3-12 Cost: Variable – see YOP page*

Main Stage Workshops
La Traviata - October 2010
The Merry Widow - April 2011

This comprehensive, three-part educational workshop is linked to OperaDelaware’s main-stage productions. First, an Ensemble Artist will travel to your classroom, perform excerpts from the opera and present a brief Opera 101 session; then, your students will visit The Grand, be given a backstage tour and attend our Teaching Humanities through Opera lecture (see Student Dress Rehearsal for more info); finally, it culminates with your students experiencing the Student Dress Rehearsal of La Traviata or The Merry Widow first-hand! Grades: 6-12 Cost: $300*

 

Student Dress Rehearsals
La Traviata - Friday, November 5, 2010
The Merry Widow - Friday, April 29, 2011

This program, which is open to all students in Delaware and the surrounding areas, opens the door to a new experience, one that for many students makes the difference between having been to the opera/theatre and never having had the opportunity. The beauty of its long-term nature is that students can come again and again. They can see their second opera, then their third, and over time they begin to see what this art form is all about and how it just might matter to them. They don’t have to belong to a certain category– honor roll, drama club, AP class - the door is open to everyone. We also invite all attendees to a pre-performance lecture, Teaching Humanities through Opera, 1 hour before curtain. These lectures help students make connections with their curriculum, their communities, but more importantly, themselves. They provide stimulating discussion topics that connect students in personal ways to the opera and show them how opera has become a part of our identities, traditions, history and culture. CLICK HERE for registration forms and more info. Grades: 6-12 Cost: FREE.

In-School Residencies
This program forms long-term, meaningful relationships with schools, teachers and students of adopted under served communities within Wilmington who have little or no access to music. Our residencies are special partnerships with elementary schools within the Christina and Red Clay Consolidated School Districts that have been designed to teach 3rd grade students and teachers ways to use music, storytelling, and improvisations to spur comprehension, thinking, speaking, writing and expression - culminating with original operas created, composed and performed by the students through the Sing-Me-a-Story Residency. In addition, we introduce 4th and 5th grade students to professional artists from our main-stage operas and offer opportunities for a core group of at-risk 5th graders to participate in OD’s Youth Opera Program (YOP) over an extended period of time, on full scholarships. In-School Residencies are booked for the 2009-2010 Academic year but if your school is interested in future opportunities, contact Mary Wilcosky at (302) 658-8063 ext. 3250 or mwilcosky@operade.org

*UNDERWRITING IS AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED SCHOOLS FOR ALL OF OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS, please apply! CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION FORM. THANK YOU!

To schedule your performance or for additional information about our arts education programs, contact Mary Wilcosky at (302) 658-8063 ext. 3250 or mwilcosky@operade.org

So you think opera is just a musical thing? CLICK HERE and take a look at some ways that the study of opera can meet National Curriculum Standards.