Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 7 La Boheme #2

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O January 10 - 31, 2019 | 15 TODD ROSENBERG KYLE FLUBACKER KYLE FLUBACKER (Left) Smyser Elementary School students in the Opera Residency program, working on their opera with Elise LaBarge, a Lyric teaching artist; (right) final performance of the Opera Residency – the students’ own retelling of the Cinderella story. In May 2018 Lyric Unlimited presented Caribe Clásico, an evening dedicated to the classical sounds of zarzuelas, beloved Puerto Rican melodies, and popular Mexican boleros. January 10 - my school, my students do not have drama or music classes,” she said. “It’s refreshing to see them engaged in play writing, singing, and acting while they create their opera.” Jones remembers fondly a student in her class who was shy at the start of the program, but after being assigned the role of the narrator in the opera, felt empowered. “She showed me! I had never heard her speak so clearly and loudly…it was like the opera moti- vated her to work and perform.” After the residency program ended, Jones continued to use that student as the voice for other classroom projects. Jonathan Zielinski, a teacher at Drummond Montessori Magnet School, echoes Jones’s sentiments. “One of my students who suffered from extreme social anxiety and had so much trouble speaking up, making eye contact, or giving presentations to the class, took one of the largest roles and delivered her lines flawlessly,” he said. Many of his students have “blossomed” during the residency program, and “watching kids grow in confidence and expression” brings him great joy. Sara Litchfield, a Lyric teaching artist, said her favorite part is “seeing young people discover things about themselves, like strengths and interests, they never knew they had through participation in our program.” She’s found that “kids (and adults!) are often the most receptive to learning when they’re having fun.” Her teaching sessions implement games about “rhythm, tempo, and diaphragmatic breathing” that “encourage students to make authentic, creative choices.” Outside of the classroom, young people are also able to experience the thrill of opera up close and in person through student matinee perfor- mances, which are scheduled throughout each season. Educators are en- couraged to replace their regular classes with a day at the opera house, with tickets ranging from $10-20 per student. “Recent research has found that field trips to live theater enhance students' literary knowledge, tolerance,