About the In-School Opera
Our In-School Opera tour runs from January to March each year, visiting approximately 35-40 schools annually. Since its inception, nearly 500,000 elementary children in South Florida have viewed our professional opera programs such as Hansel and Gretel, Papageno, Cinderella, Pied Piper, and more. Many of these children would never have a chance to experience this genre of the arts if it weren’t for the YPO program.
We bring the performances to elementary schools in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties for free. Funding is provided through grants, fundraising events, and donations. See information about our performances and resources below.
Bring Opera to Your School
We are performing in schools for our 2023 tour. The tour dates and waiting list are full. However, if you would like a performance at your school (Miami-Dade and Broward counties) in 2024, contact us in the early fall of 2023.
MATERIALS: We also offer Funtime booklets, which are made for our in-school opera performances, and study guides. Click the highlighted links.
In-School Opera Webinars
In 2022, we offered virtual opera experiences through webinars. School children were able to watch videos of past opera performances, then join a webinar to talk with professional opera singers, and learn about the career of opera singing.
Support the In-School Opera
YPO In-School Operas performances cost approximately $1,800 per school to produce. We’re proud to offer these performances free of charge to each school we visit, as our performances are subsidized by the fundraising efforts of YPO members, donations and grants raised. If you would like to support this amazing programs, click the link below.
The Production Team
Young Patronesses of the Opera began the In-School Opera program in 1975 under the guidance of past President, Louise P. Todaro, (seen left). Louise, was an accomplished musician, actress, and director, and produced the In-School Opera for over 30 years (1975-2006). She was instrumental in forming many of our education programs and providing thousands of children the experience of musical performance.
In 2007, Louise became Producer Emeritus and handed the reigns over to her daughter, Julie, who served as the Executive Producer until 2022. Julie now serves as the Executive Producer Advisor and works with an amazing all-volunteer production team. We have a wonderful paid professional cast and crew each year — our members attend, introduce, and assist with each performance.