MUSIC and drama students from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland joined peers from Stuartholme School, Toowong, for the annual Moving Opera program in February.
The program has been delivered in secondary schools throughout Queensland, northern New South Wales and South Australia since its inception in 2002.
Stuartholme’s head of drama Linda Statham said it was the sixth year the program had been offered at Stuartholme and this year she used the occasion as an exchange program for students in sister schools.
“I invited students from our sister schools, Baradene College in Auckland, Kincoppal-Rose Bay (School) in Sydney and Sacre Coeur in Melbourne,” she said.
Ms Statham said Stuart-holme was the first school to experience Moving Opera for the year, with five artists working with 29 students from February 14-18.
“Stuartholme students in the program hosted the girls from the other schools and they worked collectively on repertoire throughout the week and presented, with the artists from Opera Queensland, a very beautiful concert which raised $1000 for Queensland flood relief,” she said.
“For many of the Stuart-holme girls, it was their fourth consecutive Moving Opera workshop and this year’s concert was one of the best I have attended.”
Stuartholme Year 11 student Maddie Spain said it was her third year of “Moving Opera”.
“I have to say it just keeps getting better,” she said.
“It’s my favourite week of the year. I love the singing and the games (and) the instructors are helpful and make learning techniques fun.”
Courtney Scott, also from Year 11 at Stuartholme, said it was a good program for those interested in pursuing a performance career.
Moving Opera is a chance for girls to learn first-hand from professionals what it is like to be in theatre and the type of work they would expect to do in preparation for a performance.
Melbourne and Sydney students who attended were full of praise for the program and Stuartholme School for providing the opportunity to participate.
Brooke Norton, Anna Davies and Ivy Jackson-Mee, from Baradene College, said they learnt an extraordinary amount of skills relating to opera and theatre throughout the week.
“We are hoping to share this knowledge with our own school,” they said.
“This has been an experience we will never forget, and we can’t express our gratitude enough for this opportunity.”
