News & Events

Hawaii Opera Theatre has dramatically expanded its statewide arts education program this year, reaching all counties throughout the state, bringing hands-on opera projects and performing arts presentations to school children on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Added support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, American Savings Bank and Dowling Company on Maui provided 2,000 more students the opportunity to learn and enjoy the art of opera at their schools.

Among the highlights for the Education Department was the expansion of its residency program from three to five schools this year. "We were able to introduce a new experimental project with Waikele Elementary, where the third grade class incorporated the program into their school curriculum," said Erik Haines, Director of Education. We tied into school benchmarks in science and language. The children wrote poetry about saving the habitats of the world then we worked with them on setting it to famous opera music. The children's new opera work was presented to the community as a theatrical production. It was a huge success and even garnered television coverage."

Jefferson Elementary in Waikiki was among the schools to recently experienced the Opera Residency program. The NEA sent a representative to see the program in action.

"The school has a great Special Needs program that involves students with ambulatory challenges. We involved as many students as we could. I'm certain the NEA visitor was impressed. He actually e-mailed to say the program brought a tear of joy to his eyes."

Hauula Elementary, Momilani Elementary and Aina Haina Elementary also drew Opera Residency programs. Now in its sixth year, the program at Aina Haina saw many students "graduate" with six years of opera program experience. "It was amazing to watch these students become so stage savvy. Having been involved since kindergarten and now performing as 5th graders, the class has grown to be very self-directed. It's truly a rewarding experience," Haines said.