Spotlight On Success - May
West Australian Opera Regional Tour and Pilot Program ‘ROCKS!’
Always considered an integral part of the company’s annual season, the West Australian Opera’s (WAO) Education Team headed north in May 2008 to conduct a series of education workshops and pilot a new arts in education residency project.
The Education Team, comprising of young emerging artists Jennifer Barrington, Siti Talei and Daniel Masmanian, and team manager Karen Farmer, visited fourteen schools across the region during the course of their tour.
Delivering their Smarter Than Smoking Opera in Education Workshops, the Team entertained approximately 1400 students from the following schools:
Jurien Bay District High School
Leeman Primary School/ Eneabba Primary School
Dongara District High School
Allendale Primary School
Beachlands Primary School
Bluff Point Primary School
Geraldton Primary School
Mt Tarcoola Primary School
Waggrakine Primary School
Geraldton Senior College
Nagle College
Strathalbyn Catholic College
John Willcox College
From the feedback received by the company, the Education Team were more than a hit with students.
“Daniel and his piano – very cool, very funny, he rocks!”
“…involved the kids…the presentation [was] informal and fun.”
“It was fantastic! I loved it and want them to come again.”
Photograph courtesy of Eneabba Primary School and WA Opera
As well as the workshops, WAO’s Education Team offered a pilot residency program during the second week of their regional tour.
Talented and gifted Year 6 and 7 and Year 11 and 12 TEE students were invited to participate in after school workshops at host school Geraldton Senior College.
The Education Team, together with WAO Head of Music Francis Greep and staff members Amanda Barret Hayes (Director of Movement) and Natalie Way (Make up Artist) conducted free workshop sessions and mentored 70 students - preparing them for a final celebration showcase (‘Rising Geraldton Stars’) at the end of the residency week.
All participating students were presented with a certificate and four students who showed outstanding talent and/or leadership qualities received Healthway merchandise.
With the positive feedback received from the teachers and students who participated, the WAO Education Team will now evaluate the pilot program and develop it further for programming in 2009.
For more information on the WA Opera’s 2009 season and their Education Program call (08) 9278 8999 or visit http://www.waopera.asn.au/
Photograph courtesy of Eneabba Primary School and WA Opera
