Lyric Opera 2021-2022 Issue 6 Tosca 2

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 39 Group activities help the students to develop their own original operas. theme for their work. Students will work in small groups with Lyric’s Community Programs CoordinatorAngela Hamilton and Chicago Urban League staff to discuss their identities and the stake they want to claim in this world. Participants spend their time with EmpowerYouth! mentors and teaching artists, learning about the art of opera, and developing their work further in group discussions. This year participants will be working with three talented artist mentors: Tanji Harper for dance, Shawn Wallace for music, and Vic Wynter for acting. This is a unique opportunity for young people to work directly with experienced artists and to explore multiple art forms to express themselves. Working with these artists can be a transformative experience for participants. “The most surprising thing was me coming out of my shell with singing,” said one participant from last year’s sessions. “I did not expect that!” Hamilton and the Chicago Urban League staff prioritize creating a safe and stable environment for young people to explore these art forms. Social workers are available to work with students, who get one-to-one time with staff and support as they navigate high school, the pandemic, and figuring out what’s next for them. EmpowerYouth! offers young people a creative opportunity to explore their experiences and identity, which helps inspire them to pursue the arts and find their own voice. Lyric’s 2021/22 EmpowerYouth! ensemble will spend this winter and spring bringing forward personal stories that need to be told, with new collaborators and varying perspectives. The creative platform and support these young artists receive helps them to explore the power of their voices and their storytelling, harnessing them as catalysts for change on many levels. Photo: Kyle Flubacker