THANK YOU LASA
Dear LASA and Mrs. McEntire,
It will be difficult to share my gratitude and experience in one paragraph, but I’ll do my best! Thank you so very much for granting funding towards my expenses at The Metropolitan Opera National Educators Conference. I spent three nights and four days learning alongside educators and administrators from all fifty states, experiencing workshops with composers, conductors, actors and some of The Met’s most influential staff members, including the composer of Grounded, Jeanine Tesori, John Sellers, the Assistant General Manager of Production, and Michael Heaston, the Met’s Deputy General Manager. All of our sessions were hosted by actress and writer, Susan Blackwell, who acted as a moderator throughout, and taught Social Emotional Learning techniques to use with our students as we guide them through the artistic process. The Met’s education staff spent ample time sharing strategies for the following:
starting, building, and expanding the partnership
communication
curriculum integration
processes for Live in HD ticket purchases and post-it screening surveys
scheduling in-school screenings from Met Opera on Demand
My summary would not be complete without sharing one beautiful thing that happened during my time at The Met. During the third day, we were led on an extensive backstage tour. At one point, our guide mentioned that we could silently peek in on a rehearsal of La Trovatore. There were four people in the room, two directors and two principal actors. One of the directors was a former student of mine, Melanie Bacaling. I was able to watch someone I directed in plays and musicals work as a director at The Met! Later, Melanie and I were able to spend an hour together, during which she expressed her gratitude to me for, in her words, “helping to create this monster.” It was a moment of serendipity that inspired me as an educator to keep bringing the magic of music and theatre to students. (Photo shared below.)
As a new partner, I am excited and overwhelmed by the resources granted to us. I have been asked by The Met to submit (FREE) ticket requests by November 1 for the next few shows coming up: Tosca, The Magic Flute and Aida. That being said, I’ll be in touch with Mrs. McEntire this week! Thank you, once again, to all of you for your support. Please reach out with any questions you might have, and I am open to attending a LASA meeting if you would like to learn more about this wonderful partnership we have with The Met: HD Live in Schools.
Sincerely,
Ms. Melissa Anderson - Music Teacher
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