Project Title: Creative Opera for Kids
Project Goal: Our daily projects and discussions will include a focus one or two of the many elements of opera including lyrics, orchestra, singers, instruments, story, acting, staging, set design, lighting design, and more! Based on opera's "greatest hits," such as Carmen, Hansel and Gretel, and The Magic Flute, students will learn a love for opera through creation, as we work toward our final presentation at the end of each week. Final presentations will be a diorama presentation of characters, set, staging and other elements of the particular opera the unit is based on.
Grade Groups:
Grades 2-6 in fall 2021
Project Unit:
- There will be five units in total this summer.
- Each unit is a 5-day project (M-F, 1 hour)
Teacher Bio: Ms. Kaarin
- Performed at the Decameron Opera Coalition's "Tales from a Safe Distance" (Virtual Opera)
- Professional operatic mezzo-soprano based in Boston, MA and Houston, TX
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- University instructor of a section of Lyric Vocal Diction for Singers in French, German, Italian, Spanish and English languages
- Professional voice teacher specializing in classical and musical theater genres
- QUESTABOX Book Club teacher for Grades K-4 groups
A Message from Ms. Kaarin: Hi! My name is Ms. K and I'm a professional opera singer! Did you know some of your favorite stories, like Cinderella, are operas as well? Come and join me for an adventure through creation to learn about the amazing world of opera! And bring your craft supplies!
Unit Period & Theme:
Unit 1 (6/14-6/18) The Magic Flute 2PM PST
Unit 2 (6/21-6/25) Hansel and Gretel 2PM PST
Unit 3 (6/28-7/2) La Cenerentola (Cinderella) 4PM PST
No Class (July)
Unit 4 (8/2-8/6) The Magic Flute 2PM PST
Unit 5 (8/9-8/13) Hansel and Gretel 2PM PST
Daily Focus for Each Project:
Day 1 - Story and Characters
Day 2 - Set, Props, and Staging
Day 3 - Acting and Performing
Day 4 - Final Touches and Practice
Day 5 - Presentations
Class Time: M-F, 1 hour
Unit 1, 2, 4, & 5: 2PM - 3PM PST (=5PM - 6PM EST)
Unit 3 Only: 4PM - 5PM PST
Class Materials:
- Printer paper and/or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Coloring utensils (crayons, colored pencils, or markers)
- Old shoe box
- Optional: popsicle sticks, wiggly eyes, pipe cleaners, or any extra craft materials