Letters From Our Fans

Thank you for coming to the St. La Salle School to perform "Lights, Action, Character!" It made us laugh a lot, so much that we were in tears. You were humorous, but also wonderful opera singers. For us the star of the show was Sasha Kidder.
Please come back next year. We hope you have a good message like you did this year.

The Southeast Elementary School teachers and students would like to thank you for your awesome rendition of the elements needed to travel. The curriculum presented, the words to the songs, and the music was superb. We loved the colorful costumes, the interesting props, and the operatic music. The varied and aligned movements with the songs and humorous way you acted made the opera collectively, a powerful presentation. We appreciate you all very much. Contact us early next year so we may schedule a presentation.
With sincere appreciation,

Dr. Gwendolyn Thurston-Lockett, Acting Principal, Southeast Elementary

Sierra Chamber Opera does a wonderful job of bringing a genre of music to students that may not otherwise get the exposure, and they do it in a way that is humorous, educational, and entertaining. This is an innovative program with a group of very talented performers. Since music in our schools seems to be falling by the wayside, I hope this becomes a valuable and much needed substitute for years to come.

- Katie Lewis, Kindergarten, Steinbeck School

    As a parent and teacher, I must tell you how much my students and my own children have benefitted from your wonderful performances. I first became acquainted with your work when my daughter was a kindergartner and came home full of enthusiasm for the opera she had seen at school that day. It made such an impact on her that her nightly puppet shows were often set to music from then on. She is now an intern with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's education department with a deep desire to teach children, whose school days are full to overflowing with drudgery, to love the arts.
    My other two children also loved your operas, and remember your work with fondness. One day many years ago we were having lunch at Arby's when all three of my kids said at one, "Look Mom, there's the opera man!" It was Alan Rea, and he got a real kick out of the recognition.
     I teach at Powers-Ginsburg, where having the Sierra Chamber Opera come is a treat each year. We enjoy using your booklet of activities and your CD as pre and post activities, and my students take their booklets home after they are finished as eepsakes. We teachers comment every year that the best behavior we have at an assembly, even from our harder-to-reach kids, is always when you come.
     Thank you for your commitment to the arts - what you do makes a real difference, and we are grateful for you.

- Linda Baird, Powers-Ginsburg teacher and mom

Your program was wonderful! Once again, you were a big hit with our kiddos. Thank you for sharing your talent and for donating two shows to us. We so appreciate it.

- Kathy Penner, Edison Bethune Charter Academy

On behalf of the students and staff at Eaton Elementary, we would like to thank you for your recent presentation of Space Mission: AREPO. We found it to be very entertaining and a wonderful opportunity for the children to become exposed to opera.
We appreciate the time and preparation by the Opera in sharing their musical talents with the students at Eaton Elementary."

- Barbara Wiedel, Principal, Eaton School

Thank you so much for coming to Steinbeck. We've enjoyed your music every time you've come, but the musical selections (pastiche) were especially beautiful this time. I appreciate the CD. My students loved the performance.

- Christina Grammel, 3rd grade teacher, Steinbeck School

Thank you so much for performing at our school. My students enjoyed the performance and are looking forward to you coming back next year.

- Mrs. Garcia, Powers-Ginsburg School

Thank you for performing at Wilson Elementary in Fresno. You made an impression on these students. Please continue your passion for bringing opera to school children.

- Linda Guerrero, fifth grade teacher, Wilson Elementary School

Thank you for once again delighting my first-graders with your opera. None of us knew that learning about the Food Pyramid could be so entertaining!

- Jane Sommer, first grade teacher, St. Helen's School

Thank you for providing such an opportunity for children to acquire an interest in music. This opens an awareness that most would not have...I can't encourage you enough to continue in this very worthwhile project. When you actually experience and see the spark of interest develop with children, there is nothing more rewarding. Thank you for your hours of dedication and sharing your love of music.

- Marjean Webster, retired elementary schoolteacher