Residency Program
With an Opera Philadelphia Residency, students can explore the magic of opera and create meaningful music together.
Spanning over the course of 20 weeks, the Residency Program energizes students around the performing arts – specifically opera – and empowers them to create, design, and perform an original opera of their own.
With a focus on social and emotional learning (SEL), the program allows students to grow in an inclusive environment. Students develop their abilities to understand emotions, show empathy, and maintain positive relationships as they work through an opera with their classmates.
Beyond developing a greater appreciation for the arts, participating teachers have found that the program helps to foster creativity, increase literacy, and enhance collaboration. Students of the program continue to speak of their experiences today!
“I have seen so much growth in my students as a result of this experience. I continue to reference this program in the work we do in the classroom today. I would highly recommend this program to all schools.”
- Celina Velez, Pan American Charter School
"I saw [my students] realize that opera isn't just "fancy singing" it’s a way for them to tell a story and share feelings. Even my shyest students started to step up. They also learned how to work together to build something from scratch. Watching them perform their own work was incredible; they walked away with a huge sense of pride and the realization that their ideas and voices truly matter."
- Deljim Rodriguez, Crossroads Academy at Hunting Park
“I have more confidence to speak with my classmates after [Opera]. [Opera] inspires us about being confident about the things we do.”
- Residency Student
"I learned you can use any idea to create an opera story."
- Residency Student
