Students Sing Praises of Special Program That Produces Opera

Getting preteens to sit through an opera is about as easy as getting their parents to sit through a Backstreet Boys concert. Except, of course, when those singing in the opera are the students’ best friends.

That was the case Wednesday at Patrick Henry Middle School in Granada Hills, where about 250 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders sat transfixed as the school chorus performed alongside Los Angeles Opera singers in the teen-themed opera “Nerdlandia.”

“I didn’t think I was going to like it, but I did,” said 11-year-old Brandan Smith.

Christian Bolton, 12, appreciated the obvious effort that went into the production.

“The kids must have worked hard to perform so well. I hope I get to do it next year.”

The 45-minute opera, about a nerdy science student who falls in love with a streetwise home girl, was the culmination of a nine-week, in-school program that brought Los Angeles Opera professionals to Patrick Henry for a series of workshops.

The opera company’s musical director Daniel Bridston and stage director Cynthia Stokes taught the 42 choral students the score, as well as theatrical staging and costume creation.

“It’s a wonderful educational tool for kids,” said Dianne Cowdrey, the school’s music department chairwoman. “We all looked forward to every workshop.”

In the play, set in a school science lab, the chorus members, dressed in brightly colored lab coats and holding handmade masks, encourage brainy Martin to transform himself to win the pretty Ceci. The star-crossed sweethearts eventually learn to love each other the way they are.

Llewellyn Craig, who directs the opera program, said the students learned the Carlos Rodriquez score and Gary Soto libretto by rote, one scene at a time. The day of the show, they rehearsed only once with the four opera company singers.

“The kids are amazed when they hear our singers for the first time,” Craig said. “The experience teaches them focus, cooperation and listening skills, and they have fun in the process.”

Developed by the opera company’s general director, Peter Hemmings, 10 years ago, the innovative arts program visited 13 public secondary schools this year, reaching about 12,000 students.

Schools interested in the popular program sometimes are placed on a two-year waiting list, but Assistant Principal Carl Hansen, who brought the workshops to Patrick Henry, said it was worth the wait.

“I was bowled over by our kids’ performance today,” he said. “We’re so proud of all of them.”

Each school pays $1,100 for the program. The opera company puts up $100,000 a year to cover the costs of the workshops, sets, costumes, musicians and technical staff.

For the participants, though, the rewards are priceless.

“I thought opera was just singing long songs,” said Nicole Danielak, a seventh-grader. “Now I want to go to a professional opera. I love it.”

The opera company singers loved the experience too.

“It’s a joy to see kids getting exposed to a live performance,” said Daniel Chaney, who played the love-struck Martin. “I want them to see what they can achieve in the arts with hard work.”