We are thrilled to announce that, as of September 2023, we have officially added a robust opera education program for teens to our annual activities!

The Youth Opera Company of OCM is made possible through a merger between the Opera Company of Middlebury and the organization formerly known as the Youth Opera Company of Vermont.

The Youth Opera Company of OCM uses opera as a tool to inspire our participants to reach for excellence in a myriad of skills, to build their confidence as singers and people, and to give back to their communities in a meaningful way. To this end, we offer unique training and performance opportunities in after-school programs, summer programs and school residencies, and partner with local arts organizations to offer community service opportunities in senior residences and community centers. All of our programs offer scholarship assistance and a commitment to inclusion.

While opera might seem like an old-fashioned art form that wouldn’t appeal to today’s teens, our programs have successfully proven to participants and audiences alike that opera can be just as relevant and exciting as any other form of storytelling. With simple productions that are fresh and modern, we keep the focus on our singers’ amazing talent and the essential aspects of the story, and have converted many opera skeptics into opera lovers.

Studying opera also requires high-level training in multiple skill sets and the same emphasis on teamwork, discipline and self-confidence as any varsity sports team. Our participants may or may not decide to pursue opera as a career path, but they will certainly be lifelong lovers and supporters of the arts with valuable and transferable skills and a sense of social responsibility that will play an important role in their futures.