Safe Space for Creative Risks with Community Engagement and Education

Bet you didn’t know that nurturing the next generation of opera performers, technicians, and enthusiasts begins in classrooms. Join Key Change co-hosts Anna Garcia and Olga Perez Flora on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Santa Fe Opera Department of Community Engagement and Education, featuring guest appearances by Season 5 favorites Charles Gamble, Director of Community Engagement, and Marissa Aurora, Community Engagement Liaison, plus new friend Olivia Dorrell, Administrative Coordinator. “We’re all moved by the extraordinary pageantry, music, and movement of opera,” says Charles. “I’ll be honest with you, though; the thing that most excites me is the process of being able to engage in that process with young humans and watching them do the heavy lifting of being artists.” Santa Fe Opera’s myriad school programs and summer camps introduce children as young as three to the collaborative spirit of opera, while professional development workshops help teachers use opera to facilitate learning. Internships provide an essential point of entry for college-aged talent. “It's been really rewarding to see and hear from the students how it's opening their world to a lot of career paths that they didn't think were possible in New Mexico,” says Marissa. Other initiatives like volunteer opportunities, the Pueblo Opera Cultura Council, and the Pueblo Opera Program ensure that Santa Fe continues to be a welcoming environment for all. Oliva agrees. “It’s always lovely to welcome so many patrons to the preview dinners, some seasoned opera-goers and some attending the opera for the first time.” FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE Charles Gamble, Director Of Community Engagement Marissa Aurora, Community Engagement Liaison Olivia Dorrell, Administrative Coordinator MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Opera Storytellers Summer Camp | Santa Fe Opera Pueblo Opera Program | Santa Fe Opera Pueblo Opera Cultural Council | Santa Fe Opera ALTO: Arts Integration | Santa Fe Opera Guilds Of Santa Fe Opera, Inc Opera Theatre | University Of New Mexico Albuquerque Academy Northern New Mexico College The Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts Lucio Silla 2005 | Santa Fe Opera Der Rosenkavalier | Santa Fe Opera The Turn of the Screw | Santa Fe Opera Die Walküre | Santa Fe Opera La bohème | Santa Fe Opera KEY CHANGE RECOMMENDED PLAYLIST An Opportunity to Encounter Excellence (and Big News!) Making Learning Sticky: Creative Compassion for Kids & Educators Through Opera with Charles Gamble Harmony in Process: The Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera with Amy "Process" Owens What’s Opera to a Bunch of High School Students? Young Voices, “The New Crop” Story With Purpose: The Origin of the Pueblo Opera Cultural Council with Renee Roybal and Claudene A. Martinez Spark of Imagination: Generations of the Pueblo Opera Program with Sonja & Seth Martinez From Gardening to Greeting Guests, Volunteers Run the World! with Marissa Aurora, Artist & Volunteer Liaison *** Key Change is a production of The Santa Fe Opera, Department of Community Engagement & Education. Share your favorite opera moments and questions with Community Engagement: agarcia@santafeopera.org Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Anna Garcia & Olga Perez Flora Audio Engineering: Collin Ungerleider & Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe Technical Director: Edwin R. Ruiz Production Support from Alex Riegler Show Notes by Lisa Widder Theme music by Rene Orth with Corrie Stallings, mezzo-soprano, and Joe Becktell, cello Cover art by Dylan Crouch This podcast is made possible due to the generous support of the Hankins Foundation, Principal Education Sponsor of the Santa Fe Opera. To learn more, visit SantaFeOpera.org/KeyChange.