2024/25 Season
Upcoming Events:
Dear Diary: An original opera with music by Mozart: Experience the drama of 1950s high school life through the timeless music of Mozart! Our talented 8-member Youth Opera cast brings you a new mini-opera based on beloved scenes from Le nozze di Figaro, The Magic Flute, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, and La Clemenza di Tito.
For our April 11 performance, we're thrilled to partner with the Vermont Youth Orchestra, which has assembled a 16-member chamber orchestra under the direction of VYO Music Director Dr. Mark Alpizar for this program! The April 12 and 13 performances will be accompanied by pianist and YOC Music Director Mary Jane Austin. "Dear Diary" was written and staged by YOC Director Sarah Cullins and its cast of young singers represent five Vermont high schools: Middlebury Union, Mt. Abraham Union, Harwood Union, U32, and Montpelier.
April 11 at 7:30pm | Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester
*With the Vermont Youth Orchestra! Click here for free tickets!
April 12 at 2:00pm | Waterbury Congregational Church
With piano. Pay what you can at the door
April 13 at 2:00pm | Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
With piano. Pay what you can at the door
Past Events:
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Podcast: Join the talented teen singers of the Opera Company of Middlebury’s Youth Opera program in their fall opera-scenes production: a spoof on a Gilbert & Sullivan podcast! Scenes from Iolanthe, Patience, and The Mikado have been woven into an inventive script by guest Stage Director Erik Kroncke. Music Director Mary Jane Austin leads from the piano. No advance tickets - admission by donation at the door.
Performances are November 8, November 9, November 10.
Dido & Aeneas Project: Once again, YOC Founder Sarah Cullins will work within a school to study, rehearse, and perform Purcell’s iconic opera. After successful residencies at Burlington and Colchester high schools in the last two years, this winter’s project will be a combined production of Middlebury, Vergennes, and Mount Abraham high schools. No advance tickets - admission by donation at the door.
Performances are December 13 and December 14.
Meet the Singers: Youth Opera’s Rising Stars: Join us for a musical afternoon featuring Youth Opera alumni Ambrose, Jane, George, and Wanda, who collectively represent every production since the program's 2019 inception. Now pursuing music degrees, they'll be accompanied by Music Director Mary Jane Austin and joined by current Youth Opera members performing selections from Dear Diary, an all-Mozart co-production with Vermont Youth Orchestra. No advance tickets. Pay what you can at the door.
The performance will be March 9 at CVUUS in Middlebury.
Have you seen YOC in The Addison Independent yet? Read here!
“170 TEENS HIT ALL THE RIGHT NOTES” Youth Opera in The Addison Independent 10/31/24
Join us for Dear Diary, the spring opera season workshop April 11-13!
TRAIN. PERFORM. CONNECT.
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.
Interested in becoming a Youth Opera Business Sponsor?
This year we’re offering two tiers of Youth Opera Company of OCM Business Sponsorship!
YOC Event Sponsorship - $250
Choose one: Spring Program Sponsor, Project Serenade Sponsor or Fall Program Sponsor. You will be thanked with a half-page ad in your sponsored YOC program and your logo on the website for that event.
YOC Season Sponsorship - $750
Includes a half-page ad in each YOC program and your logo on the website and emails for all 2025 YOC events.