Baritone Eli Villanueva share his love of opera with elementary schoolchildren.

While some might assume that opera is boring and beyond one's comprehension, a group of local school children is learning otherwise.

For the past two years, Cal Poly Pomona, the Cultural Alliance of Pomona and the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) have teamed up to bring the Los Angeles Opera's educational programs to more than 1,700 Pomona youngsters.

Last year, the L.A. Opera performed its educational outreach production of "Who Wants to be an Opera Singer" at the First Baptist Church of Pomona. Encouraged by the response, the group returned to the church in May to introduce its "Sing Out Loud!" program to 800 fourth- through seventh-grade PUSD students.

"Sing Out Loud" is a fun, high-energy, interactive demonstration recital that welcomes students and families into the world of opera. During the 45-minute program, artists from the L.A. Opera perform highlights of several opera classics such as "The Barber of Seville," "Hansel and Gretel" and "Die Fledermaus."

The recitals are meant to convey to young people that "opera is accessible and fun and is really just another way of hearing a story," says Stacy Brightman, director of education and community programs for the L.A. Opera.

Audience members are encouraged to laugh when it is funny, cry when it is sad and yell "bravo" as an expression of enjoyment. Educational materials are given to teachers, so the learning of opera can continue in the classroom long after the show is over.
In addition to being entertained, the children also learned about many aspects of the opera, including the orchestra, chorus and voice types ranging from tenor to mezzo-soprano.

"Our goal is to be able to share a love and knowledge of opera with all members of the community because we know that an understanding of music and art is necessary in all of our lives," Brightman says. "It is through our partnerships with organizations such as Cal Poly Pomona, which is so deeply vested in the community, that we can become effective in our outreach."

The Cultural Alliance of Pomona is committed to bringing world-class entertainment to underserved communities in Pomona. The alliance includes representatives from Cal Poly Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences, Mt. San Antonio College, Pomona Unified School District, First Baptist Church of Pomona and other community organizations.

"Cal Poly Pomona has a strong commitment to community outreach and enrichment through exposure to the arts, specifically to the Pomona community," says Lisa Nashua, director of development for Cal Poly Pomona's College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences. "Programs such as the L.A. Opera's expose children to unique art forms and provide a venue for learning and art appreciation. They also expose people from outside the Pomona region to an area that is rich in culture and the arts."

For more information on community outreach and enrichment programs in Pomona,
contact Lisa Nashua at (909) 869-6848.