Supporting Classrooms

Music teachers, we love you! That’s why we do what we do. Great music educators guided and supported us on our artistic journeys and empowered us to pursue our dreams.

We acknowledge and appreciate how tough a teacher’s job can be, so here we are to support in the best way we can: through creating fun opera content!

This page is our free resource for teachers! It features:

  • HONE Mini-Sessions

  • Our YouTube Content

  • Articles, Tools, and Resources

All in the name of supporting the true classroom heroes!

HONE MINI-SESSIONS

DIVAS

What is a diva?

From Maria Callas to Mariah Carey, divas dominate the performing arts. mentor Jaclyn teaches us what a diva is and what opera’s got to do with them!

WHAT TO WEAR

Do I need to dress up to go to the opera?

The short answer is: no—wear what you like! Mentor Daevyd discusses why we may feel like we need to dress up to attend the opera.

RESONANCE

Do opera singers use microphones?

Mentors Jonelle and Daevyd put on their lab coats to uncover the mystery behind the operatic voice and the science behind how they project their voice?

LEITMOTIFS

Do operas have theme songs? What about their characters?

Every main character needs to make a memorable entrance, why not add music! Jaclyn discusses what a leitmotif is and the dramatic purpose they serve.

Gender in Opera

Can you play a role of a different gender?

Researched and created by big-brained mentor and scholar Camille Rogers, this video explores the history and performance of gender in opera and theatre.

The Two-Week Aria Challenge

How do opera singers learn and memorize all that music?

Four OIR mentors challenge themselves to learn an aria in two weeks! Take a look inside the opera singer’s studio and watch each artist’s approach to learning music.

A Day in the Life of…

What is it like being an Opera singer?

Meet Mentor Renee: Opera singer and aspiring producer! Renee wears many hats and wears them well. Watch her video to learn what an opera singer does when they aren’t on the stage.

A Day in the Life of…

What is it like being a stage director?

Mentor Anna is the up-and-coming stage director to beat! What is a stage director? What videos games are they playing? How do they spend time when they aren’t at the theatre? This video has all those answers and more.

Teacher Resources +

Teacher Resources +

Having trouble finding diverse repertoire?

Looking to collaborate with diverse performers?

Seeking some inspirational reading?

This section is all about additional resources for bolstering your classroom learning. We know a teacher’s time is precious, so don’t worry about going down a google wormhole; we've got you!

Resources for Finding Music

Western Classical Music

Non-Western Classical Music

Articles, Videos, Blog Posts & More

Music is a philosophy, rich in ideas that language cannot say

By Xenia Hanusiak for psyche.co

Musical thinking offers a means for composing our lives and a philosophical foundation that embraces both sound and silence.

Decolonizing the Music Room

The Music Room Podcast

In today's podcast episode, I interview Brandi Waller-Pace about decolonizing the music room.