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We’ve got 4.5 hours left of this fundraiser, and we just received this student statement from Syl. We’re just going to let it speak for itself, because honestly it made us tear up when we read it.

“Hi I’m Sylvia!

And I’m here to say that Act Too Studio’s Teen Opera Workshop is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.

It’s given me confidence. It’s made me feel a kind of joy I’ve never felt before. And it gives me hope that more people like me: young, black and queer, will get to have a place in the world of opera. Be it listening or performing.

So please consider donating to Act Too Studios Opera Workshop this Valley Gives! You’ll be giving us so much more than just money.”

Please consider Sylvia and all our teens as we push towards the end of this year’s Valley Gives. DONATE NOW!

Melinda is about to go into her afternoon lessons, but here’s another quick student story, now that we’re back in Golden Ticket hours! From Craig, a new member of the workshop this year!

“Back in May of last year, I saw Melinda posted an inquiry on Facebook for an assistant stage manager for the Opera Workshop’s summer production, Il Sogno d’Ariana-to which I messaged her and got it! This was some of my first real exposure to classical music. After the first rehearsal my idea of what opera and classical music was shattered. Instead of being this thing where people sing crazy high notes with a Viking helmet on, it morphed into a real art form. It’s incredible to me how all of us originally have these preconceived notions about what opera is, and how we view it, yet when submerged in all of its glory you feel and relate to this music written hundreds of years ago. The human connection and human experience of opera is a beautiful thing that I’m glad I’m a part of.

What made me most proud of being a part of Il Sogno d’Ariana was during the final week of rehearsal, when we ran the show fully and completely. I’ll never forget getting chills up my arms and tears on my face, all because of teenagers singing. It is truly incredible and I’m so, so glad I have the opportunity to not only be a part of this coming summer’s opera production, but sing alongside those who made me fall in love with classical music.”

Please consider Craig and all our teens during #ValleyGives today! DONATE NOW!

We’re partway into another Golden Ticket hour (the next will be at 3:00), though our posts may slow down a bit as our teaching schedule ramps up this afternoon. So to get us through those hours, we rely on outgoing senior Callie, whose video “Why classical voice is important” was our entry into the Valley Gives video contest this year. She also wrote up this wonderful statement of support earlier today:

“Whenever I talk about Act Too Studio Opera Workshop, I never know what to say because there is so much I feel. I started out as one of the first members of the workshop when I was 14 years old. I am now about to be 18 and I am about to be off to college to study classical voice. None of that would even be close to possible if it wasn’t for this workshop. Over the years, I have learned so much about myself as a performer and a person.

When I first started I had no idea that opera would be something I could even do, nevermind fall in love with. And because of all the experience I’ve had from being able to be a part of the workshop for this long, colleges took notice. I had a couple professors I took trial lessons with tell me I would be very well off in their program because of all the experience I have that most kids don’t get. The workshop has helped me feel confident in so many ways. It has helped me take on challenges that I never knew I could face, and it has helped me find the confidence to follow my dreams. I could never thank everyone involved in this program enough for all they have given me. It has truly been another home to me and it has made my summers of long rehearsals for our operas something I crave. That is actually how I realized how much I love what I do. I was in a long rehearsal for The Medium a couple years ago and I looked up at the clock and realized it was over and I had felt like I had just gotten there.

Opera has allowed me to discover myself and I would have never even been introduced to it without this program. Opera workshop has made me push myself more than I knew I could and I wish that I could give it everything it deserves. Please, donate to this program. I promise you, you will not regret it.”

Please consider Callie and all our teens today during Valley Gives! DONATE NOW!

We’re in another Golden Ticket hour, and it’s time for another student story! This one comes from 14-year-old Carina (sister of Milena), who is in her second year with the workshop!

“The Opera Workshop is an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. The program has taught me about a whole new genre of music. When I’m older and have had many more memories crowding my brain, this Workshop will be with me forever. Not only does this program teach you so much, but it also gives you a family. The Act Too Studio teachers (Jan, Bob, and Melinda) are some of the most inspirational and generous people I have ever met. They are AMAZING teachers and I’ve found, not only an incredible place of learning–but a family. They are so deserving of this money.

Another reason the Opera Workshop is so amazing is how unique of a program this is. Since when do you see teens singing opera? And learning about it? Where is that kind of program available? At Act Too Studio!! This is an incredible learning experience for everyone involved. We get to learn about the history of magnificent works of art, learn about their composers and learn how to perform these beautiful pieces. Please support this workshop, any amount helps. Thank you!!”

Please consider Carina and all our teens today during Valley Gives! DONATE NOW!

We’ve said often recently that our teen opera program is not intended only to (or even primarily to) create the next generation of performing artists, and Abigail represents this truth so well. Though she’s a lovely singer, her heart leads her to share her love of music in ways other than performance, and we’re so proud of everything she does. Thanks for this wonderful video, Abigail!

Please consider Abigail and all our teens during Valley Gives! DONATE NOW!

We’re coming up on the first Power Hour in today’s Valley Gives fundraiser, which means that your donation, no matter how small, between 10:00-10:59AM could help us win $1000! This brings us to our second student plea for the day, from 14-year-old Milena, who is in her second year with the workshop!

“When I was younger, I had the stereotypical connotation of high, off-key music, sung by old people in languages I couldn’t understand. Now, if you say the word ‘Opera’ to me, I think of thousands of wonderful memories, from the loving social environment, to the incredible skills I’ve learned. Act Too Studio’s Opera Workshop is truly a life changing experience. I have grown so much as a performer from just a year, and I can’t wait to continue for as long as possible. We really need donations to continue this program, and believe me when I say, it’s a worthy cause. Please donate to this freaking AMAZING program!!!!”

Please consider Milena and all our teens today during Valley Gives! DONATE NOW!