Opera for Young began offering teaching materials in the 1980’s. Each season, we rework these tools to better serve the needs of our host schools. The tutorial recording is an important piece of the OFTY package – Artistic Director Diane Garton Edie walks teachers and students through the show, while our teaching artists sing their lead-ins and the Madison Youth Choirs perform the student roles. There are also piano only tracks, allowing students to see how well they have memorized their parts. Students are able to rehearse outside of school using our online playlists – made easy to access on OFTY‘s updated website, www.ofty.org/tms. All of this helps to make sure our student choruses feel confident, engaged, and ready for the our cast to work with them on the day of the show.

This year’s recording features OFTY staff member Katie Covi reprising her 2011 role as Ruth. As OFTY Operations Manager, Katie also serves as liaison to the schools. She works with each teacher to ensure they have access to the materials and answers any questions they have along the way. Hearing Katie as Ruth on the recording is a fun way for students and teachers to put a “voice” with a name they know well. Click here or on the image above to learn more about OFTY‘s tutorial recording!