The Michigan Opera Theatre’s Department of Community Programs will present its thirteenth year of summer learning with Learning At The Opera House, which will run from June 28-August 8, 2010 at the Detroit Opera House.  Under the leadership of Karen VanderKloot DiChiera, founder and director of MOT’s Department of Community Programs, Learning at the Opera House has once again assembled an award-winning and enriching program encompassing the visual and performing arts.

“Learning at the Opera House includes programs for people of all ages,” says DiChiera.  ”For over ten years, we have continued to build a legacy of fun, relevant and enriching educational programs.”

• Operetta Camp (July 12-30), a three-week day camp for youth 10-18, is one of the most popular workshops.  The camp introduces students to acting, singing and dancing, as well as voice care. Participants will perform a fully staged and costumed production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta The Mikado on the DOH main stage.  Classes run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The total cost for the program is $425.
• Create & Perform (June 28 – July 9) also returns this year to inspire and engage young writers and performers.  The workshop is a day camp that allows youth 10-18 the opportunity to learn music composition, acting, dancing, creative writing and improvisation.  The workshop also gives students a chance to present what they’ve learned in a live performance.  Classes run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The total cost for the Create & Perform workshop is $300.
• Opera Camp and Workshop (July 26-August is an opportunity for college students and adults that aspire to be professional opera singers.  Participants will be given an opportunity for solo and ensemble casting in a day and evening intensive opera camp.  At the completion of the two-week intensive program, students will perform fully costumed and staged opera scenes at the DOH.  Acceptance is by audition only.  Advanced high school students may be considered.  The cost of Opera Camp is $1,000 and runs from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Housing, college credit, and scholarships are available on an individual basis.  Opera Workshop, which is held only during the evenings and weekends, costs $500 and runs from 6-9 p.m Monday through Friday and all day Saturday.  Contact Candace de Lattre at (810) 287- 0236 or cdlattre@motopera.org for more information.
• Lens on The City (August 2-4) is a three day inter-generational learning experience held in partnership with Preservation Wayne.  Families or groups of adults and children (ages 8+), will participate in an exclusive tour that will allow them to learn and photograph the interesting historic sites in downtown Detroit, including Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, the main branch of the Detroit Public Library and the Detroit Opera House.  Participants’ photos will be displayed in an exhibit at the Detroit Opera House during the final performance and reception of the Opera Camp and Opera Workshop.  Budding photographers will also receive instruction on photography basics from a professional photographer.  The photography tour starts at 10 a.m. and runs from Monday through Wednesday.  The total cost of the three day tour is $50.

Private voice instruction will also be offered this year.  Voice and music lessons will be conducted by professional voice teachers Candace de Lattre, Betty Lane, Trish Shandor, and composer Karen V. DiChiera.  Private lessons are available year-round at the Detroit Opera House by appointment.  Contact Betty Lane at (313) 237-3238 or by email at blane@motopera.org.

To register, or for more information on any of the Learning at the Opera House programs, log onto www.michiganopera.org or call the Learning at the Opera House hotline at (313) 237-3270.  A complete listing of Learning at the Opera House offerings is available on the MOT website.  Online registration is also available for Operetta Camp, Create and Perform, and Lens on the City workshops.

About Learning at the Opera House

Now in its thirteenth season, Learning at the Opera House has facilitated learning to thousands of young people and adults in our community with a unique offering of classes, workshops and lectures.  MOT’s Department of Community Programs takes pride in providing an atmosphere where people learn and appreciate their own talents and the abilities of others.