About the UC Merced Children's Opera
OUR MISSION
The UC Merced Children’s Opera provides children in the San Joaquin Valley with high-impact and interactive arts experiences that introduce them to performing arts and UC Merced. Our performances are welcoming and empowering so that students feel comfortable with and excited by the idea of attending university themselves.
THE OPERA
Each year, the Children's Opera, under the direction of UC Merced lecturer Jenni Samuelson, brings to life a new opera written by playwright Nancy Steele Brokaw. Children from Merced County and beyond come to UC Merced to participate in and engaging arts experience, performed by professional singers alongside UC Merced students. In 2021, the Children's Opera delighted over 20,000 school-age children with its first-ever virtual "opera-tunity" with Save the Dragons! Last year, over 2,000 Pre-K - 3rd grade students returned to the UC Merced campus for a live production of "The Emperor's New Threads," with 8 daytime performances for schoolchildren and one evening performance for the Merced community.
This year, we are excited to be taking our new show, "Panic in the Barnyard," on the road and touring to different elementary schools across Merced County between May 13 - 24 – Click here to learn more!
PAST PERFORMANCES
Children's Opera Archive - Coming Soon
