Lyric Opera 2022-2023 Issue 1-Ernani

39 | Lyric Opera of Chicago The 2022 participants doing vocal warm ups with music mentor Shawn Wallace. Students learn about the critical role of other aspects of being a working artist as well through professional development. Last season, the staff coached students through the process of taking professional headshots and writing their own artistic biographies. This holistic approach gives the youth real-world experience of what it’s like to have a career in the arts. During the 2022 program, young people worked with four artists: acting mentor Vic Wynter, dance mentor Tanji Harper, music mentor Shawn Wallace, and program facilitator Mari DeOleo. At the conclusion of the session in June, participants put on a showcase of original pieces devised using voice and movement exploration as well as classic Chicago short-form improvisational theater techniques. The program embraced many expressions of artistry, including scenes, dance, and poetry set to music. After the final performance, Daja, a student at Whitney Young Magnet High School, said she will remember “the bond I had with the instructors and other students in the program.” Elijah, a student at Urban Prep Englewood Academy, went even further: “I realized that I am capable of doing anything I want to.” In the coming year, EmpowerYouth! will continue to prioritize centering youth voices in the program by listening to the interests and ideas of the young artists and fostering an environment of organic co-creation. There will also be a renewed focus on social- emotional learning, led by the social workers from the Chicago Urban League. Teens will engage with more guest artists and attend workshops to enhance their learning experience. A full season of in-person work means participants will also have the opportunity to attend performances and take field trips to see first hand more of the varied art that Chicago offers. EmpowerYouth! offers young people a creative opportunity to explore their life and identity, which can inspire them to discover more about themselves and their relationships to the arts. The innovative platform and support these young artists receive help them realize the power of their voices and storytelling—a power that will last for a lifetime. Jaclyn Simpson