The Create Your Own Opera Partnership Program is an arts-integrated, project based, co-taught learning model customized to fit the teaching and learning goals of each particular classroom. Based in the nationally recognized Music! Words! Opera! curriculum, BLO’s flagship Partnership Program supports teachers in planning and implementing arts-integrated lessons into their daily curricula over the course of the school year and culminating in a performance or presentation. The Partnership model is open to both in-school and out-of-school classes and is ideal for grades 2-12. School/Educator Prerequisite: Opera Creation Boot Camp.

Teacher Professional Development

  • Opera Creation Boot Camp: A Professional Development Intensive for Educators REQUIRED for teachers new to the partnership.
  • Individual Coaching: BLO staff facilitates Partnership Planning and arts integration curriculum mapping to meet each teacher’s goals.
  • Co-Teaching opportunities with BLO Teaching Artist.
  • Ongoing Professional Development: Half-day workshops held over the course of the school year to hone skills in specific aspects of opera creation.
  • Experience with Opera: Opportunities to attend opera rehearsals to increase depth and breadth of opera experience and knowledge.
  • Teaching Resources: Access to arts-integrated lesson plans, teaching resources, and equipment from BLO Education & Community Engagement.

Youth Engagement

  • Live Professional Performance: Youth experience opera live through either our Artist Classroom Visit: Opera 101, or by attending a BLO Final Dress Rehearsal.
  • Teaching Artist Residency: BLO offers up to ten visits from expert teaching artists to work directly with youth, bringing expertise in various areas of opera creation including: singing, music composition, directing, hip-hop/spoken word, acting, lighting design, and more!
  • Final Performances: BLO supports communities to celebrate the world premieres that the youth have created. BLO provides opportunities to share with peers from other partnership schools.

“I was tremendously proud of my students and what they were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. It ended up being the most rewarding project I have ever done, and it was received with great enthusiasm by the students and parents alike.” –Partner Teacher

For more information, Contact Us!

BLO invites high school and college students to attend the final dress rehearsals of its productions. Often this is students’ first experience with opera. Student study materials are provided. In exchange for passes, BLO requests student responses about the production. Stand-out responses may be featured in BLO media. Passes are first come, first served and subject to availability.

“I was able to convince some friends who had never seen an opera before to join and they enjoyed it! We are planning to attend other operas in the future.” –College Student

Free Dress Rehearsal

“I think I have a new-found love for opera.” –Student Participant

Requests for passes open approximately six weeks before each Final Dress Rehearsal. If you are a high school teacher or college professor not on currently our mailing list and would like to receive notifications of Final Dress Rehearsals, please contact the Box Office with your name, school, and subject/department you teach, and contact information. If you have any additional questions about The Final Dress Rehearsal program for students please Contact the Education Department.