Opera Orlando spreads art across Central Florida through outreach, educational programs
This week's WESH 2 CommUNITY Champion brings opera to a new generation across Central Florida through outreach and educational programs.
"My grandmother brought me to see an opera. It was 'Die Fledermaus' at Chautauqua Opera, and I was probably 7 years old," Sarah Purser said.
That's when Purser fell in love with opera.
"It clicked for me, the voices, the story, the scenery, the being in that theater. And I just thought, that's what I want to do," Purser said.
Today, Purser performs as an opera singer and inspires young people to fall in love with this art form as the Education Director for Opera Orlando.
"We produce grand opera really now that we have Steinmetz Hall. We're really able to do opera on the scale that you imagine when you think of opera, with the big sets and the costumes and the full orchestra. We're doing that," Purser said.
There's more to it, though.
"Another part of our mission is to bring opera out into the community, and our education programs are a huge part of that," Purser said.
Purser believes in what she describes as the transformative power of the arts, especially for young people.
"It's important to us to make opera accessible because it's important to me that this art form continues," Purser said.
Opera Orlando puts a major focus on educational opportunities.
"One of our flagship programs is our youth company. So we actually have a group of about 30 young singers, ages eight to 18, who meet here, who come to the opera every week. And they take classes to learn about singing, acting, stage presence, communication, and theater," Purser said.
The outreach doesn’t stop there.
"This past season, we took a tour out to 10 elementary schools, and we did an opera called 'Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World,' which was a bilingual opera. So we targeted schools that had ESOL programs with a high number of first-language Spanish-speaking students," Purser said.
It takes lots of generous backers to keep the nonprofit running.
"The people who contribute financially really help to bring opera to the next level. The reason we're able to produce on the level that we are is because we have so many supporters and people who believe in the mission and believe in not only the productions on stage but the work that we are doing in the community," Purser said.
Orlando’s young performers are proof of that commitment, and programs like their youth company, school tours, and other outreach all ensure that the arts remain a vital part of our community.
"I believe in this work. I really believe not just in the power of the arts, but in particular, the power of arts education, to inspire and really transform lives," Purser said.
That dedication to making the arts accessible and inspiring the next generation is why Opera Orlando is this week's WESH 2 CommUNITY Champion.
"It’s very humbling that other people can see what I see, that arts are an integral part of our humaneness and such an important part of our Central Florida community," Purser said.