Educational Outreach

We are proud to offer the following educational opportunities. If you would like more information about volunteering or supporting any of these programs, please send an email to [email protected].

Sing Me A Story

The Sing Me A Story series is an engaging program designed for students in grades 3-8, although impactful for high school students who are interested in the arts as well.
​This immersive Arts Education experience pulls back the curtain on opera, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the diverse roles and journeys that bring this vibrant art form to life.
​"Sing Me A Story" began in 2022 with a partnership between Charlottesville Opera and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. Over six weeks, opera singers visited the clubs to introduce them to opera, guide them through writing their own story, assist them in building props and costumes, and had them work with singers to develop characters' emotions. At the end of the six weeks, participating students saw their hard work come to life and their new operas performed for their peers.

Register your group for KidsFest!

KidsFest offers a live musical theater or opera performance for students, student groups, camps, and homeschools! Students also get to meet one of the stars of the show, receive an introduction to the world of theater, receive a snack, and get a take home packet!
Charlottesville Opera is thrilled to provide KidsFest as a FREE event for our community. We aim to serve as many students as possible through this program. However, this event is limited to K-12 students. All groups MUST have an adult chaperone. Please try to be as accurate as possible in your student and chaperone count. ​

All performances are at The Paramount Theater. KidsFest is ideal for Kindergarten and up.

Summer Internships

Charlottesville Opera offers paid summer internships for college and high school students with an interest and passion for arts administration, orchestra, education, marketing, production. Our interns work directly with leadership staff to receive hands-on experience with the arts. See the Join Our Team page for more information.

Ader Emerging Artist Program

​Each summer 15 emerging artists join the company to perform supporting roles, cover mainstage roles, and perform as soloists in concerts. These singers are usually completing graduate degrees or just beginning professional careers. Throughout the summer they receive coaching, voice lessons, masterclasses, and opportunities to interact with professionals from the opera and musical theater business. See the See the Emerging Artists page for more information.