Education

AT Opera Baltimore

Now scheduling at libraries, schools, community centers for 2024-2025

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Now scheduling at libraries, schools, community centers for 2024-2025 〰️

Opera Baltimore’s Education Program designs and delivers deeply interactive programming to the youth of Baltimore City and beyond, particularly historically underserved populations. Our work encourages emotional regulation and sparks creativity, collaboration, and joy.

We believe opera is not just about viewing, but doing.

Program #1: VOICE YOUR STORY

A one-hour Mindfulness and Mini-Opera creation class, led by operatic Teaching Artists

"Voice your Story" is Opera Baltimore's small-group interactive programming for children and youth, offering wellness-oriented opera-based storytelling activities . This programming includes breathing/warm-up/team building exercises that encourage mindful engagement, and group story-telling through the creation of "mini-operas" based on children’s books and call-and-response singing. The creation of the "Voice your Story" program was supported in part by a generous grant from Opera America. Reach out to us at Education@OperaBaltimore.org for more information. The program furnishes all supplies and can accommodate between 8-20 students; cost is $500; some funding may be available.

PrograM #2: “What Is Opera? A Team!”

A high-energy , Large Group School Assembly Program

“I can't believe how much they loved it. The kids were laughing and cheering!"

BOOK NOW FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Opera Baltimore’s "What is Opera? A Team!" presentation is an interactive, engaging 35-50 minute program that can be tailored to grades PK-12. Facilitated by an experienced real-life opera performer, students learn about the imagination and teamwork that creates an opera – people who work together to tell a story all at once – like blockbuster movie, but with no second takes! They learn about the courage and creativity it sometimes takes to tell stories.

Through energetic narrative and a projected presentation, students discover that opera is the ultimate mash up:

music + words + acting + dance + visual art!

Students learn what opera is and look behind the curtain at opera productions: learning about the scenic, costume, and lighting components of opera. They also hear about different voice types (soprano, mezzo, tenor and baritone) and how opera singers train their voices to make them louder, stronger and faster – just like an athlete. Students hear about a groundbreaking Baltimore opera singer that stood up for what was right, soprano Anne Wiggins Brown, even hearing her signature song. Throughout the show, the opera-singing presenter performs selections of operatic classics – but they always need help to perform the songs! Students join our artist onstage to become a part of the 'opera team' right then and there. The message is clear:

Whatever you love to do, find your team…
and do it together!

Details: The assembly costs $500 for the entire event. Minimal onsite requirements include a sound system that can play from a laptop computer, and a projector & or TV screen (or we can bring our own, with notice). Some schools may qualify for discounted assemblies. If you would like to schedule or sponsor a school assembly please contact us for details at 443-445-0226 or Education@OperaBaltimore.org.

More QUESTIONS?

Email our Education Team at Education@OperaBaltimore.org

Our programming aligns with and supports Anchor Standards 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 in the Maryland State Music Standards, namely:
Anchor Standard 7: Demonstrate, describe, and compare the structure, use of musical elements, and context (social, cultural, and historical) in a variety of musical pieces. Clearly communicate personal preferences when selecting music for listening or performing and describe how the use of musical elements and context influence the choice.
Anchor Standard 8: When listening to music, communicate clearly how the use of musical elements and performance choices might create the intended effect.
Anchor Standard 9: Describe personal evaluation of musical works or performances based on criteria, using appropriate musical vocabulary. Engage appropriately as an active listener in formal and informal settings, paying attention to audience etiquette appropriate to the genre of music.
Anchor Standard 10: Identify personal and cultural influences as well as creative preferences in creating, performing, and responding to music.
Anchor Standard 11: With limited guidance, make connections between music and other common core subjects, including the arts, through creating, performing, or responding to music.