School Programs
Central City Opera visits your school! Our programs are designed to support academic standards and curriculum. They are easily adapted to your space and can be performed in most areas of Colorado and southern Wyoming. We also work directly with educators, community leaders, students, and parents to curate offerings that are relevant, educational, and entertaining to your audience.
For pricing, please contact [email protected] for more information.
Please note that CCO’s fees reflect the cost of the teaching artist or performer. Central City Opera is committed to providing scholarships to schools and community organizations that request financial aid.
“Before your wonderful performance I personally did not think I would enjoy the opera. As soon as I walked into the gym I just knew you were going to be great. You were very funny and taught me a lot. You did things that blew my mind. I really want to thank you for all the happiness and joy you brought to our school.”
Hold Fast to Dreams...
This is a full program of arias, songs and sprituals by Black Composers honoring the legacy of Clara Brown.
Program is great for 4th grade and beyond K4-12/college/community
Price: please contact [email protected]
Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World
This 30-minute opera premiered in 2019, commissioned by Fort Worth Opera and written by Joe Illick and Mark Campbell. It tells the true story of a Mexican girl named Mariana, who asks the famous painter Frida Kahlo to paint her portrait. Mariana learns about Frida’s experiences and is inspired to live bravely and boldly, just like Frida. Post-show interactive activities enrich the experience for students and families.
Price - $800 for 1 performance or $1200 for an additional back-to-back performance. Scholarships available.
Chiaroscuro
CHIAROSCURO [key-ah-roh-skoo-roh] Light in Darkness is Central City Opera’s new youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention program. It is a reframing of traditional opera scenes to tell the stories of four teenagers navigating the challenges of growing up surrounded by social media, exposure and confronting life situations like bullying, cyber bullying, sex shaming, gender identity, community expectations, self-esteem and acceptance. This program aims to destigmatize mental health struggles through relatable stories and characters to raise awareness, inspire resilience and hope.
Content is appropriate for middle school, high school, and early college students.
Price: $800 for a single performance / $1,200 for 2 performances back-to-back
¡Fiesta! Spanish-language opera, zarzuela, and art song
Celebrate Latinx and Hispanic heritage with this all Spanish-language repertoire. This performance features a colorful tour of Ibero American art song, opera and zarzuela. Repertoire from Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, and many more accompanied with fun facts or the history and stories behind each song. The pre and post engagement activities vary according to the age group in the audience.
Price - $300 for a 2-person performance + $200 for any additional artists
Musical Menagerie: Tales of Wild and Domestic Creatures
Experience a delightful concert of songs and duets about different animals performed in a variety of languages combining classical singing and puppets.
Price - $600 for 1 performance + $200 for an additional back-to-back performance
Music Words Opera - Residencies
Guiding students in the process of creating and producing musical storytelling. Students will create scripts and songs, staging, learn both on-stage and off-stage skills, and conclude the residency with a performance that they will present to their community. This program can be tailored to upper elementary school and beyond.
Price - $800 flat rate or mini residencies for $500
Opera Storytime
Enjoy a sampling of storytelling and singing with a real-life opera singer in your classroom and engage your students in interactive and physical play. Contact us for current offerings.
Price - $300 for 3 back-to-back classes (3 performances)
Mindfulness, Music, and the Voice
Teaching Artist leads students through yoga postures designed to enhance students’ social emotional understanding, of the mind/body/spirit connection, and confidence in unleashing their own authentic voice and increase awareness of alignment and posture. Workshops can be customized to students’ needs. Available through a video conferencing platform for classes up to 15 students.
Price - Starting at $250. Scholarships available.
Opera on-the-Go
Enjoy a 40-minute concert of opera and musical theatre favorites with a Q & A afterwards with the singers and pianist. Songs about nature, songs about liberty, songs by women composers, etc.
Price - Starting at $400. Scholarships available.
“The teaching artist took the time to listen to the students interests and questions. She was engaging and seamlessly integrated her planned presentation with the students questions…The videos enthralled the students.”
The students were so surprised and awestruck. We had mini operas in all classes -with multiple conflicts and usually happy resolutions!
Free Content
Central City Opera House Coloring Pages
Discover the historic Central City Opera House, built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners, through coloring book pages. Suitable for all ages. Available for free download here.
Historic Scavenger Hunt with Limerick Writing Activity
History and Language Arts come together in this fun activity for students in grades 6-9. With clues written in Limerick form, discover Colorado’s historic Central City on a virtual scavenger hunt, then write your own limericks. Available for free download here.
Yoga and the Voice
Free videos of individual yoga exercises by Teaching Artist Ruth L. Carver, designed to enhance students’ understanding of the mind/body/spirit connection and confidence in unleashing their own authentic voice and increase awareness of alignment and posture: Watch here.
Opera Trivia “Jeopardy” Style
Test your knowledge of opera and historic Central City through trivia games. Available for free here and here.
Opera Up Close Video Playlist
Discover the rich spectrum of operatic voices through a curated YouTube playlist. Videos feature a diverse range of artists, languages and productions. A free downloadable PDF with detailed descriptions, “write-your-own-review” activity and guided questions accompanies the playlist. Available here.
Central City Opera Podcast
Have you ever wanted to sit down with a Central City Opera singer, director, conductor, orchestra musician, or production staff member and get to know them (and what they do) a little better? You’re in luck – our podcast features interviews with artists and others involved in our operas. This is a great way for students to find out more about careers in opera and other performing arts. Downloading the episodes is easy, free, and fast, and you’ll be glad you did. Find out more here: centralcityopera.org/podcast.
