Young Artist Development and Community Engagement Programs
Amarillo Opera's Young Artist Development/Community Engagement Programs begin at a very early age. The programs feed into one another so that people of all ages can develop their talents through the programs of Amarillo Opera.

Amarillo Opera Education Outreach and Youth

In January of 2022, Amarillo Opera started partnering with WOWW (Windows on a Wider World) to present our Fairytale Opera performances to elementary schools all over the Texas Panhandle. Some of the areas that we perform for include Groom, Hedley, Wheeler, Dalhart, Clarendon, Friona and many more!

Over the last several years, Amarillo Opera’s fairytale children’s productions have performed for over 2,000 children a year. Many of these schools do not have music programs or access to music lessons. The pure enjoyment and curiosity of these kids has been a joy and a blessing to the company.

Through our outreach efforts, Amarillo Opera provides free access to the mainstage productions, to all students in the Amarillo and surrounding areas by inviting them to our final dress rehearsal. In October 2023, our program was able to bring Puccini’s Tosca to over 100 students from the Amarillo area.

Amarillo Opera Institute

Amarillo Opera will be providing a two week long opera summer camp, for the summer of 2024. This program will be offered to high school aged students. Local college students and teachers are hired for the summer, Teaching Artists lead students through a fun, hands on, educational program that will introduce them to opera and music. If you are interested in participating in this program either as a participant or instructor, please contact Alissa Henderson at alissa.henderson@amarilloopera.org. 

Mentoring Artists
College aged artists are retained each summer to mentor and lead children in a fun 2 weeks of opera camp. These Artists also assist with creating the summer camp program and assisting with community outreach. Those interested in being an Artist in Training should call the office 806.372.7464.

Amarillo College Opera Workshop
Through our unique partnership with Amarillo College, AC students are given opportunities to participate in main stage productions and educational outreach programs.

Amarillo Opera Ensemble
Aimed at regional professionals at all levels, the Amarillo Opera Ensemble, is meant to be the premiere opera chorus in the Texas Panhandle. Ensemble members will be called on to do outreach activities and will be given comprimario and small roles in mainstage productions whenever possible. Those interested in Auditioning should contact the opera office and plan to attend live auditions when announced.

Amarillo Opera and Texas Tech University

Amarillo Opera partners with Texas Tech University in two main ways, through our spring outreach opera and their Opera Certificate. Students who participate in our spring outreach opera get to spend a week touring the Amarillo area, bringing a fairytale opera to local elementary schools. Students who partake in TTU’s opera certificate work with the Amarillo Opera to cover a role and get experience performing outreach and comprimario roles.