Lyric Opera 2022-2023 Issue 8 - Carmen

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 38 Partnership power Lyric’s Learning & Creative Engagement division, Lyric Unlimited, is dedicated to creating educational and community partnerships and programs that engage learners and audiences of all ages across Chicago. The High School Choir Residency, for instance, supports vocal instruction in high school choir programs by providing regular, year-round assistance from a Lyric professional teaching artist. Teaching artists work collaboratively with choir teachers to deliver student instruction and foster artistic growth. And in one recent instance, the partnership contributed to an astonishing achievement. Trevor Nicholas, Director of Vocal Ensembles at Senn Arts at Senn High School, has been with the Residency program since its inception in 2016, working with longtime Lyric teaching artist Heather Aranyi. For the past two years, Nicholas has been nominated for the Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy. This honor— essentially a Grammy for teachers—recognizes educators from around the country who have made a signi cant contribution to the music education eld. “Lyric has not only changed the lives of my students and opened up new possibilities and enhanced their performing ability, but it also has helped me in profound ways as an educator and artist,” says Nicholas. “Heather’s brilliant mentorship in branding and entrepreneurship has ushered me into new realms of leadership, and she gives me the courage to innovate artistically for my students. Lyric’s deep partnership has been an anchor throughout the many storms of the past seven years, and Heather’s constant encouragement has kept me a oat.” “I am so proud of Trevor, and have been encouraging him throughout the nomination process. Our strengths compliment each other incredibly well as educators, allowing us to bring our whole skill sets in our whole selves, to innovate artistically,” Aranyi says. “This partnership between us not only elevates the Senn High School community, but it also elevates Chicagoland to get these amazing honors and opportunities.” Aranyi, who attends Nicholas’s classes once a week, views Nicholas as being a master innovator, combining multiple disciplines to create outstanding works of art that re ect students’ lived experiences. Aranyi not only focuses on vocal technique in the classroom, but aims for a more holistic How a Lyric Unlimited program helped one high school choir teacher garner two Grammy nominations Trevor Nicholas and Heather Aranyi,at right,wait with their students to sing the National Anthem at Wrigley Field in 2019. Left: Trevor Nicholas and Heather Aranyi wait with their students to sing the National Anthem at Wrigley Field in 2019. Right: Senn High School choir members back up Will Liverman during Lyric’s Empower (2018).