Opera Teaching Artists Network

OPERA America offers an online community exclusively for opera teaching artists. The Opera Teaching Artists Network convenes monthly to support teaching artists in the opera field with:

Opportunities for connection and networking with teaching artists across the U.S. and Canada.
Resources on classroom management, lesson planning, curriculum development, culturally responsive instruction, and relationship-building with school administrators and educators.
Guidance on maintaining vocal health, achieving better work/life balance, and nurturing creativity and artistry.
A dedicated OPERA America staff member to facilitate the network's conversation and learning.

Get Involved

You can request to join the Opera Teaching Artists Network by completing the form below.

You must currently be or previously have been engaged as a teaching artist at an OPERA America Professional Company Member or other opera-related organization. Teaching artists with expertise in voice, dance, theater, visual arts, or other domains are welcome.

Enrollment

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

City *

State/Province *

Engagement Status *

I am currently an opera teaching artist. I have been an opera teaching artist in the past. I manage opera teaching artist programs. Other (specify below)

Engagement Status Other

Organization Affiliations

Confirmation *

Upcoming Events

The network promotes dialogue and collaboration throughout the year through conference calls, events, and forums. The first-ever Teaching Artist Forum will take place September 2024.

Teaching Artist Forum

September 10–12, 2024
11:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

OPERA America’s Teaching Artist Forum invites new and aspiring teaching artists, along with community and educational arts practitioners, to a three-day digital event focused on enhancing skills and exploring innovative teaching methods. Participants will engage in topics such as trauma-informed practices, unit and lesson planning, and non-traditional melody-making for music learners. The forum also explores the triadic relationship between teaching artists, their organizations, and host sites.

Facilitators include:

Joel Esher, master teaching artist
Michelle Holdt, founder of Creative Compassionate
Dr. Mitra Sadeghpour, soprano and educator

Forum registrants who attend all three days will have the opportunity to shadow experienced teaching artists from participating opera companies (subject to availability). Please note that shadowing is unpaid and does not guarantee future employment. To participate, individuals must meet the same safety protocols required for the opera company's teaching artists, including fingerprinting and background checks.

Participating companies include Opera on Tap (New York, NY), Lyric Opera of Chicago (Chicago, IL), Opera Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA), Seattle Opera (Seattle, WA), and more.

Registration is $50 for OPERA America members. Non-members can register starting at $125, which includes an OPERA America Individual Membership.

Non-member registration includes the choice of a one-year Digital Membership (valued at $75) or Signature Membership (valued at $96) to OPERA America. 

Member Non-Member

For additional information, contact us at Programs@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5240.