One of the things we’ll be doing today is sharing words from the teens who have made this workshop what it is, and the first this morning comes from new member Isabelle, who will be participating in the summer opera for the first time this year. Here’s what she has to say:
“My name is Isabelle, I am fourteen years old, and this is my first year in the Opera Workshop. However, my love for classical music goes way back. Both my parents love it, and I have grown up listening to and appreciating it. It always played a role in my life.
But as I got older, other genres pushed aside classical. Teenagers just don’t listen to classical, let alone sing it, right? Wrong. At Act Too Studio, not only is it ‘cool’, it proves that teenagers can, and do, love opera. I go in every week and watch teens my age singing from the heart in powerful, well-trained voices. They show what young people are capable of, and I feel so honored to be able to sing alongside them. They push me to work hard and believe in myself. We are a team, and we cheer each other on and support each other. Melinda works endlessly to teach us what we need to know to fully appreciate and be able to sing such beautiful music. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate teacher. Act Too Studio has created a safe haven for those who perhaps don’t quite fit in with the stereotypically ‘cool’ kids. Opera Workshop is a place where we can be vulnerable, and expressive, and learn and grow. Other kids ask us how we got our voices to be so good, and to their shock, we answer, “opera.” Teens who have maybe ridiculed opera in the past begin to see how wonderful it really is. We open young people’s eyes to this beautiful art form, and they — we — become stronger and kinder and more creative because of it. I think *that’s* cool.”
Please consider Isabelle and all our teens today during ValleyGives! DONATE NOW!
