2020-21 Virtual Programs
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 for any reason. We are here to support you and make sure that everyone has access to great art.
Download a school scholarship application here or community organization scholarship application here.
Yoga and the Voice Workshop - virtual or in-person (outdoors), grades 7-12
Teaching Artist Ruth L. Carver leads students in grades 7-12 through yoga workshops 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. Workshops can be customized to students’ needs. Available through a video conferencing platform for classes up to 15 students. FEE: $150 per class. Scholarships available.
Free videos of individual exercises also available at centralcityopera.org/yoga-and-the-voice/
Mindfulness, Movement and the Voice – virtual, grades K-6
Using principles from Yoga and the Voice, CCO Teaching Artists lead stress-reducing activities connected to music in this 30-minute live virtual program. FEE: $100 per class. Scholarships available.
Storytelling with Sound (3-day residency) - virtual or in-person, grades 3-8
This mini-residency of three 30-45 minute sessions explores how music tells a story, from cartoons to opera. Using Hansel and Gretel as inspiration, students create original soundscapes using the program Soundtrap. Offered in-person or virtually. FEE: Starts at $250. Scholarships available.
“This has been a wonderful experience and program. The kids have loved this….I’m loving the engagement from some of my kids that normally aren’t as engaged. I want to make this a regular unit!” – Music Teacher from Independence Elementary, Aurora, Colorado (2021)
Behind-the-Curtain Discovery - the people who make the show happen (career presentation) – virtual, grades 5-12
Curious about what it takes to produce opera and music theatre behind the scenes? Hear from a production manager, stage manager, director, conductor, stage makeup artist, wig maker, props artisan, stage combat choreographer, or any other of the myriad of jobs in the world of theater. They will “visit” your classroom using a video conferencing platform such as Zoom or Google Classroom. Spanish-speaking artists are available to visit bilingual (Spanish-English) classrooms. FEE: Starts at $100. Scholarships available.
Digital Concert with Artist Q & A – virtual, grades 3-12
Central City Opera Touring Artists film a concert just for your students. Delivered directly to your classroom, enjoy a live Q & A with the performers after the show via a video conferencing platform. FEE: $300. Scholarships available.
Opera Up Close online course - grades 5-12
Hosted on the Thinkific online course platform, Opera Up Close introduces learners of all ages to the art form and people of opera, both onstage and off. Spoken narration by real opera singers lead students through the course, which consists of photos of CCO productions, videos of performers from around the world and fun quizzes. Supplemental activities and worksheets are available as PDF downloads. Self-guided or have a CCO Teaching Artist host it through a virtual classroom platform. FEE: $50/classroom. Scholarships available.
Shakespeare into Music – virtual or in-person, grades 7-12
Choose between Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night’s Dream and we will explore how it was adapted for the musical stage. Can be paired with a concert of Shakespeare-inspired opera and musical theater. FEE: $100 for virtual program, varies for add-on concert. Scholarships available.
Music Words Opera Residencies - virtual or in-person, grades 3-12
Bring existing curriculum to life and empower your students to set their own stories to music with Music! Words! Opera! Nothing jumpstarts kids’ creative juices like the opportunity to write and perform their own musical story. The process of researching/scripting a story and writing/composing lyrics and music develops problem-solving and team skills while providing practical applications of core disciplines like math, reading/writing and social studies. Experienced teaching artists are available to assist in applying methods from Opera America’s Music! Words! Opera! curriculum. Available virtually or in-person. Multi-week timeline can be customized. FEE: Varies (starting at $500). Scholarships available.
Music! Words! Opera! Virtual Workshop
Central City Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis partner up again in June 2022! This four-day virtual workshop trains teachers on how to create original music theater stories with their students. FEE: $100/teacher. Two (2) graduate credits from the University of Colorado at Boulder are available for an additional $160.
Opera Up Close Online Course
Hosted on the Thinkific online course platform, Opera Up Close introduces learners of all ages to the art form and people of opera, both onstage and off. Spoken narration by real opera singers lead students through the course, which consists of photos of CCO productions, videos of performers from around the world and fun quizzes. Supplemental activities and worksheets are available as PDF downloads. Self-guided or have a CCO Teaching Artist host it over Zoom. FEE: $5/adult. Scholarships available.
Professional Development Workshops
Half-day workshops held throughout the year to support teachers in their professional development.
• Yoga and the Voice
• Healthy Vocal Technique for Choirs (special focus on changing male voices)
• Storytelling with Sound (focus on using Soundtrap)
FEE: $20/teacher. Professional Development Hours (PDH) available.
Central City Opera History Lectures
Learn about the history of the hard rock miners who built the Opera House in 1878 and view footage from the Festival’s Opening Night in 1932. This virtual presentation can be tailored for your group.
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.
Outdoor Concerts
You provide the outdoor venue, we provide the performers. Weather-permitting, enjoy a physically-distanced concert of opera, music theater and more featuring a Central City Opera singer and pianist. Keyboard and sound equipment provided by Central City Opera. Available April – October, weather-permitting. FEE: Varies (starting at $400).
Opera Lecture Series
Do a deep dive into the 2022 Central City Opera Festival productions over Zoom from the perspectives of a music historian, conductor, opera singer and stage director. Four-part series, one-hour sessions held once per week.
Opera Workshop Series
Hone your skills or learn a new one with experts from different perspectives of opera: singing, stage makeup, design and more. Held once per week virtually over Zoom, class sizes will be capped at 20 participants to ensure full participation. FEE: $20 per person per session, $70 per person for the four-session package. Contact Central City Opera for information about the schedule of this series.
Opera Trivia “Jeopardy” Style
Test your knowledge of opera and historic Central City through trivia games. Available for free here and here.
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: ccopodcast.org.
Central City Opera Resource Center
Check out our Resource Center for study guides, lesson plans, videos, and more. Available here.