Ripple+Effect

 The Ripple Effect Bethany Hughes Opera Academy June 8, 2010 It is hard to tell how many people are influenced everyday by what I do in the classroom. Sometimes, when I am most certain that my words fall on deaf ears, I am surprised to hear about later realizations, based on what students heard in my classroom. I know that students who learn about the fascinating plots, exciting music, set and costumes, and the beautiful music that operas provide they are surprised. They say things like, “Mrs. Hughes, I think that I may actually like this stuff” or “Wow, I never knew that opera was good.” Every student who realizes that opera can be for them, every adult chaperone that realizes that opera is worthwhile, spreads the word to others. Participation in Opera Academy has brought my very poor school district the opportunity to be a part of a greater arts community. So many students ask me, what are we going to see next? And as those students age out of middle school, they continue to spread their enjoyment of opera to friends and family. This year students had the opportunity to attend Carmen - a very popular opera with melodies that most everyone can recognize. They enjoyed it. Students also got to the opportunity to attend The Marriage of Fiagaro as a matinee; which to my surprise, because I thought they would prefer Carmen, they LOVED! When I told them that next school year we will be seeing the prequel - they were the most excited that I have seen them. As the school years pass, I notice that students are more and more excited - asking, when are we going to the opera? What are we going to see next? What language do you think it will be in? And I notice that even parents are starting to buy into the idea that they may, possibly like opera.

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