The Little Opera Teaching Team
What it's like to be part of the Little Opera Team:
"Little Opera is a veritable wellspring of creativity -- as both a practicing artist and teacher, the inspiration found in the Little Opera classroom often extends well beyond our sessions and into my personal practice. The old cliché that teachers often learn more from their students might apply, but it goes deeper than that -- most days at Little Opera, it feels as though teacher and student meet as colleagues, collectively discovering the potential of the medium together. We do not teach, but learn and discover in tandem."
— Danny Clay "Teaching with Little Opera is always a great adventure. It's like being on a ship and knowing there is a mysterious island that you're sailing toward. There is no certain course to get there but you know that, no matter how impossible it may seem at certain times in the journey, you will arrive and it will be amazing. And as with any great adventure, the thrill is in the journey. " —Jenny Hanson
"Little Opera is special because of the artists/teachers who teach there. My colleagues are committed, good at what they are doing and wonderful to work with." —Naya Chang
" I believe it is rare in life to have a job that completely fits your view of the world. My view of education, after lots of years as a classroom teacher, is that the creative process is the key to teaching children how to love learning, how to problem solve & critically think, and how to have respect for others. Art, in all forms, has brought more compassion, empathy and connectedness to the human experience than anything else I can think of. And creating is joyous and challenging at the same time! I get to do that as a teaching artist for Little Opera and I am thankful."
—Suzanne Vradelis "In a very short amount of time, Little Opera has become a big part of my creative family. The staff, students and families are collectively so generous with their minds, energy, and celebration of art. I not only look forward to Little Opera days but I'm grateful for them!"
—Matt Morgera |
Our season 6 core team* was:
- Erin Bregman, Director and Story/Libretto Teaching Artist (Grades 7-8)
- Naya Chang, Theater and Acting Teaching Artist (Grades 4-5)
- Danny Clay, Resident Composer (Grades 4-5)
- Jenny Hanson, Music Teaching Artist (Grades K-3)
- Eva Langman, Story/Libretto and Acting Teaching Artist (Grades K-3)
- Alexandra Mena, Teaching Intern and Voice Coach (Grades 7-8)
- Albert Montañez, Voice Coach (Grades K-5)
- Matt Morgera, Site Director and Acting Teaching Artist (Grades K-8)
- Alex Stein, Resident Composer (Grades 7-8)
- Suzanne Vradelis, Story/Libretto and Movement Teaching Artist (Grades 4-5)
*Many on our team are practicing artists. When available, names are linked to artistic websites and projects so you can check out their work!
Our Board
As part of our transition to a 501(c)(3) this year, we built a brand new governing board! Our founding board members are:
Special thanks to Ben Durie for helping us with the application, and to the members of our advisory board: Caitlin Brune, Paul Cello, Elizabeth Lindsley, Heath Marlow, Ziggy Rendler-Bregman, Claire Shaw, Melissa Smolensky, Carolyn Spitz, Jesse Taggert, and Kaitlyn Trigger
*If you are interested in joining our advisory board, please contact Erin Bregman at [email protected]
- Lauren Fernandez (treasurer)
- Altay Guvench
- Carmen Ho
- Frances Lee
- Joyce Ohgi (secretary)
- Calvin Parshad
- Dionne Wallick
- Jonas Wright (president)
Special thanks to Ben Durie for helping us with the application, and to the members of our advisory board: Caitlin Brune, Paul Cello, Elizabeth Lindsley, Heath Marlow, Ziggy Rendler-Bregman, Claire Shaw, Melissa Smolensky, Carolyn Spitz, Jesse Taggert, and Kaitlyn Trigger
*If you are interested in joining our advisory board, please contact Erin Bregman at [email protected]
Guest Artists
Each year, Little Opera invites artists from a variety of disciplines to work with our students as guest Master Class teachers, building day volunteers, gala performers, and pit musicians.
A total of 21 guest artists worked with Little Opera this season:
A total of 21 guest artists worked with Little Opera this season: