Believing that direct experience is the best possible vehicle for teaching kids about opera, Montana Lyric Opera introduced its first annual Youth Opera Camp in the summer of 2008. The camp allows students between the ages of 8-18 to learn about all aspects of opera from a team of highly qualified music, drama and dance teachers.

The two-week intensive day camp consists of daily voice, acting and dance classes, music and staging rehearsals, and individual voice coaching. At the end of the camp, students present performances of a fully staged and costumed opera production.

Students are currently taking part in the 2009 Summer Opera Camp, which is centered around a production of “The Tinker of Tivoli,” an adaptation of music by Rossini and a story by the Brothers Grimm. This summer’s opera camp is directed by Anne Basinski, acclaimed singer and head of the opera program at the University of Montana; and Tonja King, an area schoolteacher with years of experience instructing young performers.