Workshop Brings Opera to Youths

Bringing opera and musical theater to life for youths is the goal of students in the Ventura College Opera Workshop.

The 30-member theater troupe recently traveled to Buena High School to share a love of performing with students at the Telegraph Road campus.

“It’s been fun to see the reaction because there was this big question mark whether there would be the interest in opera and musical theater among young students,” said Julie Maechler, stage director and Ventura College English professor. “We’ve had an incredibly positive response.”

During a performance Friday, Mikyung Kim and David Bach sang a duet in the roles of Butterfly and Pinkerton from the opera “Madame Butterfly.” Kim sang an aria and also joined Beverly Davison, in the role of Suzuki, for a duet from the opera.

Alyson Schuster, a student at Buena High, and Jeremy Davison, a Ventura College graduate, sang “Without You,” portraying the roles of Mimi and Roger from the musical “Rent.” Bruce Kimmel and Dillon Kenyon sang portions of “Seasons of Love,” from the same musical, before being joined by the entire cast for the final chorus.

Students can take as many as four semesters of beginning and advanced opera workshop classes at the college.

“It takes guts to perform in front of an audience,” said Linda Ottsen, the workshop’s director. “We’re just grateful to have a place to perform and a place where people appreciate opera and musical theater.”

Davison, who studied voice with Ottsen, returns to the college to participate in outreach programs such as the opera workshop.

“I like performing for the kids,” said Davison, 23. “Musical theater groups like this used to come to my school when I was a kid, and I wanted to do that too. The best part is getting to see the kids’ faces.”