Education

Programs for children

Grades 5 to 12

Words & Music (Grades 5 to 12) is an innovative learning and engagement initiative that empowers students to create and perform their own operas. This program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration by guiding students through the process of writing stories and scripts, composing music, and staging performances. It integrates the arts into core curricula, enhancing literacy, communication, and problem-solving skills while deepening students’ appreciation for opera as an art form.

Our restorative approach integrates creative expression with each student’s unique voice and journey, fostering a sense of purpose, achievement, and belonging. Participants are encouraged to explore their creativity and self-expression while benefiting from a structured, high-performance environment that nurtures both individual growth and group collaboration.

The program is designed to engage students with no prior background in performing arts and is tailored to the individual school’s curriculum and needs.

Key Program Details

• 5th through 12th grades
• 12-week program
• Sessions take place during school hours, with a culminating performance for peers, families, and community members
• We will work with classroom teachers and music and theatre specialists

For Students in High School and College

San Diego Opera’s Howard Young Voices program offers personalized vocal instruction and practical career development for up to eight students ages 16–24 who show exceptional promise and passion for the performing arts.
Participants are selected through a competitive process and receive free weekly private voice lessons and career guidance from San Diego Opera’s team of expert instructors. Lessons are tailored to each student’s needs, helping them refine their vocal technique, artistic identity, and stage presence.
Students benefit from Discovering Voices: Career Paths in the Arts, quarterly professional development workshops. Designed to support young artists in their artistic and personal growth, the workshops guide students’ exploration in entrepreneurship, original performance projects, and careers in the arts.

For all audience members at Civic Theatre performances

Pre-Opera Talks

Entertaining and enlightening pre-opera talks by Michael Gerdes, San Diego State University’s Director of Orchestras and Music Director of Opera Theater, are held 50-minutes prior to each opera inside the San Diego Civic Theatre. Your enjoyment of the opera you will see will be enhanced by Michael’s Opera Talks. Included with your opera performance ticket purchase.

6:40 pm before evening performances; 1:10 pm for Sunday matinees.

Post-Opera Talk-Back

Immediately following the Saturday and Sunday performances at the Civic Theatre, audience members are welcome to attend an informative and lively Q&A with San Diego Opera staff and cast members.

Music and Science Curriculum

Making Connections: Music and Science

Curriculum written by Cynthia Stokes, Curriculum Specialist
Illustrations and consulting by Jennifer Tsau, Ph.D.

Goal
San Diego Opera’s Department of Education and Outreach is committed to examining the connection between opera and science through a series of lessons focusing on the human vocal system and how humans make sound.

Overview
The human voice is an extraordinary instrument and was most likely the very first musical instrument created. All other instruments, scales and sounds were initially created as a response to the human voice. Through the speaking voice a wealth of information is revealed about an individual. The following lessons examine the anatomy of the upper respiratory system, how sound is produced, a detailed exploration of the vocal cords and folds, a discussion of vocal health and a look at why humans respond to music.

Students will:

• Create a model of the vocal apparatus.
• Participate in simple exercises to identify parts of the vocal system.
• Practice exercises in vocal health.
• Examine the connection between human physiology and the beautiful sound that singers make.

Standards
These lessons are prepared for middle and high school students and were developed based upon California Science and Music Standards.

Science Standards

• Structure and Function in Living Systems
• 5 c Students know how bones and muscles work together to provide a structural framework for movement.

Music Standards

• Creative Expression
• 2.1 Sing a repertoire of vocal literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures with expression, technical accuracy, tone quality, vowel shape, and articulation written and memorized, by oneself and in ensembles.
• Summer Courses