Three years ago my daughter had the opportunity to join the Fine Arts Camp. She was a quite girl, pretty introverted and still looking for her “thing”. The first day at drop off there were tears, but when we picked her up, she told us how much she had loved it and how she couldn’t wait to go again! She was exposed to all different aspects of “the arts” – she had dance class, music class, costuming class, rhythm instruction and staging. We were amazed at the level of professionalism of the teachers! At her first performance when she came on stage I cried… my daughter was “performing”! She was no longer the shy girl, she was grinning from ear to ear, she exuded confidence, she certainly found her “thing”! Living in a smaller town you wouldn’t expect this level of professionalism and opportunity, but here it was! Professionals from around the area gave my daughter skills that didn’t end with the last performance… they will last a lifetime! –B, parent of Fine Arts Camp Participant
“Over the past four years, all three of my daughters have become involved with SEWPA’s Fine Arts Camp and Fine Arts Camp II. Their involvement has been extremely beneficial and enjoyable for them. Not only do they relish their time on stage, they love the activities which prepare them for the show. Singing, acting, dancing, and set design are all incorporated into each camp. Our family has definitely enjoyed participating in this program!” — Amy, parent of Fine Arts Camp and Fine Arts Camp II participants
“Opera ala Carte is a wonderful program for many reasons. The faculty is immensely talented and they have built a great program that caters specifically towards young people. I have never seen people who care as much as the staff at Opera ala Carte. It is not just about great music, although that is part of it. Opera ala Carte becomes a summer family where you can work with other talented young people and grow as a person, a musician, and make lifelong friends in the process. I have been a part of Opera ala Carte for four summers and it has been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I have ever had. We are very lucky to have a program like this in South-Eastern Wisconsin. I will always be grateful for all the wonderful memories that I have from this fantastic program.” –Aldis Situlmens, Opera ala Carte participant, 2007-present, premedical student, UW-Stevens Point
“I am thankful I had the opportunity to perform with SEWPA this past summer. At this stage in my career and with the economy as it is, few companies are willing to take the risk of hiring a singer who will be debuting a role with them. SEWPA let me work on, explore, and perform several roles in a low pressure and encouraging environment. It was also a fun chance to work with people in varying stages of their development as performers. Seeing so many young children excited about opera was a refreshing and welcome reminder of just how relevant and important this art form is.” –Matthew Richardson, Opera ala Carte participant 2010 and member of Florentine Opera’s young artist program
“I have been conducting choirs and orchestra for 25 years. I have never been involved in a youth program that offered such an in depth opportunity for learning and musical formation. Multiple conductors and directors, five operas, and three weekends of performance with sets and costumes. It is three summer workshops rolled into one. The kids were great! And even for me: learning teaching, and conducting an opera with youth and professional singers in 7 weeks was quite a journey. What an experience for the youth and the professionals. Simply exhilarating!” – James A. Schatzman, Conductor & Artistic Director, Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
“This past summer was my first experience with SEWPA. I was amazed by how the high school student’s enthusiasm for Opera. How they loved the stories and couldn’t wait for next year’s event. Adults seem to think the high art of Opera is dead. These students would argue otherwise.”- Julie Alonzo Calteaux M.M., A Soprano and A Piano – Founder
