St. Vincent kindergarten opera teaches kids to dream big

photo courtesy of Carol Barman, St. Vincent School

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After months of work, the kindergarten class at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School created an original Opera. The students performed "Superdog, The Heart of a Hero" based on the book by local author and illustrator duo Caralyn and Mark Buehner, May 2 at St. Vincent de Paul School and May 3 for the Ladies’ Literary Club of Salt Lake City. Kindergarten teacher Mary Williams was greatly inspired by the "Music! Words! Opera!" class offered to educators by the Utah Symphony & Opera. The "Music! Words! Opera!" class offered teachers a partnership with Utah Symphony & Opera providing lesson plans, training, and support from professional artists. "Superdog" was accompanied by Utah Symphony & Opera’s composer-artist in residence Jolene Clarke. Since last fall, St. Vincent kindergarteners have learned the basics of opera, worked together to write their own words (libretto) to their opera, and worked with Clarke to create melodies and their score, and worked with volunteer choreographer Michelle Armstrong from The Ballet Centre to create dance movement and staging. While the students polished their parts, parent volunteers helped the children build costumes, props, and scenery. They also utilized advice from the pros at the Utah Opera Production Studios during a class field-trip tour.

photo courtesy of Carol Barman, St. Vincent School