Florida Grand Opera Welcomes South Florida Cares Students

Every season, Florida Grand Opera's Education Department creates a broad range of engaging music education and community programs. More than 20,000 children, families and community members will take part in Florida Grand Opera programs this season - in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Recently, Florida Grand Opera partnered with the South Florida CARES Mentoring Movement to educate the students in the program about opera. South Florida CARES is a part of the National CARES Mentoring Movement founded by Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine.

Florida Grand Opera hosted 100 students from the South Florida CARES program at the dress rehearsal of Nabucco. The students were treated to a behind the scenes tour prior to the dress rehearsal and were able to walk out on the stage to see where all the magic happens. As a special treat, bass-baritone Kevin Short, who plays the role of Zaccaria in Nabucco, came out on stage in full make-up and costume where he addressed the students, sang for them, and answered a few of their questions.

Marcia Anderson, Strategic Partnership Director, South Florida CARES Mentoring Movement noted, "The night and event was simply phenomenal. The kids absolutely loved the entire experience and on their way home stated that they couldn't wait until the next Opera. We're hooked. The Opera is on fire."

Throughout the 2013-2014 opera season, approximately 5,000 middle and high school students from South Florida schools will attend the final dress rehearsals of each Florida Grand Opera production at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts or the Broward Center for Performing Arts. Cerise Sutton, Director of Education at Florida Grand Opera expressed, "All students deserve the opportunity to experience the opera live."

Through its community programs, Florida Grand Opera provides free public recitals and musical workshops throughout South Florida, making opera accessible to over 24 communities. Together, these programs, plus many more, bring musical experiences and education to people of all ages and circumstances.