Edmonton Opera collaborated with the Yukon Arts Centre to deliver several workshops on theatrical opera to schools across the territory from Oct. 7 to Oct 11.
Emerging artists Spencer Kryzanowski, Connor Hoppenbrouwers and Rachael McAuley from the Alberta-based opera company travelled to Carmacks, Carcross, Whitehorse, and Haines Junction to lead arts-based educational programs.
First Nations and Non-First-Nations school pupils participated in classes on the intricacies of vocal production and storytelling through opera.
“We are looking to dispel the mysteries of opera, because opera can be an intimidating art form,” said Casey Prescott, the Yukon Arts Centre’s CEO.
Edmonton Opera’s community engagement initiative aims to bring opera and music to new communities, according to a social media post on Oct. 3.
The emerging artists created a rough 45-minute show, designed to be deconstructed, that presented big concepts in a palatable and friendly way for youth in the Yukon.
“We're looking at ways to present the art form and to show just how beautiful it is, and also to really just spark curiosity,” Prescott said.
The art form demands physical technique and body awareness making it a form of exercise, he said. Learning about their voices helps children realize that everyone can sing and express themselves.
The opera company’s emerging artists are scheduled to return in January to offer more workshop sessions to elementary and high school students across the territory.
The Azrieli Foundation provided a grant to support the community outreach component of Edmonton Opera’s partnership with the Yukon Arts Centre, Prescott said.
According to their website, the Toronto-based philanthropic organization aims to improve the lives of present and future generations through education, research, healthcare and the arts.
Edmonton Opera’s partnership with the Yukon Arts Centre will continue into the new year. In February, the opera company’s emerging artists will be in residence at the Klondike Institute for Arts and Culture, Prescott said.
Composers, pianists, singers and librettists from Edmonton Opera will spend a week in Dawson City, workshopping new operas and sharing their work with the community.
“There is no group in the Yukon that is dedicated to producing opera,” Prescott said.
Prescott explained that the Yukon Arts Centre has an unwritten mandate to avoid competing with organizations already offering creative programming. He added that the centre’s partnership with Edmonton Opera aims to inspire the creative community by bringing diversity and different artistic perspectives to Yukoners.
“There's nobody doing opera, and it’s sort of our mandate to seed new things, things that are not currently happening in the territory,” he said.
The Yukon Arts Centre will also be offering an additional prize for Edmonton Opera’s Rumbold Vocal Prize competition later in the year.
The centre brought opera to the territory before the pandemic. Thanks to the partnership, the territory can experience the soaring vocals the art form offers once more.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
