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Oak Grove Primary School accepts Model School Award
Posted Nov 21, 09:06 PM
Dahlia Landers Discusses Creating Original Opera Training
“As we prepared to attend the Summer Institute a few years ago, one teacher became very interested in the Creating Original Opera track. Each school had to send a 2-member team for the training. With only one music teacher who needed to attend a different track, we were in a dilemma! As my team normally does, they drafted me, the Principal, to attend! I thought, a Principal who has NO artistic ability and truly makes a joyful “noise” when trying to sing in an Opera track? I knew I was a fish out of water and had absolutely nothing to offer! So I grudgingly agreed to participate and for the 1st time, actually dreaded a summer Institute.
The training was intense enough to replace all our other art experiences for the week and what a week it was! COO is the most practical training I have ever been privileged to receive. Every teacher needs to have this experience! We became the students as we experienced the fun of Creating Original Opera. The skills we were acquiring are those we embrace if we are truly dedicated to teaching students to be cooperative learners. Although the program prepares you to complete a large- scale production, it also helps you understand the value of using this knowledge daily in the classroom. COO is arts infusion at its best! I would encourage any person to participate in this track, singing wasn’t required and I learned that I CAN compose music and write a script! The only thing better than the training is seeing it used and alive in 3rd grade classrooms!
Thanks, WSI, for another great experience!”
—Dahlia Landers, Principal, Oak Grove Primary School
