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Student & teacher programs | Lyric Opera of Chicago Skip to content

Student & teacher programs

Lyric serves elementary through high school students and teachers with school residency programs, teacher workshops, backstage tours, and special performances.

Learn more about these opportunities below:

Streaming for Students (Grades 3-12)

Opera Residencies (Grades 1-12)

Student Backstage Tours (Grades 3-12)

Opera in the Neighborhoods (Grades 3-6)

Performances for Students (Grades 6-12)

CPS Dress Rehearsals (Grades 6-12)

Youth Opera Council (Grades 9-12)

Vocal Partnership Program (Grades 9-12)

Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative

Streaming for Students (grades 3-12)

Lyric is offering free streaming opportunities of Lyric Unlimited archival recordings to Chicago area students and teachers. Each production will be closed-captioned in English and Spanish, and will be accompanied by online classroom resources. Registration is now available for the following streams:

El Pasado Nunca Se Termina for grades 6-12 (January 25-February 5)
Jason and the Argonauts for grades 3-6 (March 15-26)

Streaming for Students (grades 3-12)

Lyric is offering free streaming opportunities of Lyric Unlimited archival recordings to Chicago area students and teachers. Each production will be closed-captioned in English and Spanish, and will be accompanied by online classroom resources. Registration is now available for the following streams:

El Pasado Nunca Se Termina for grades 6-12 (January 25-February 5)
Jason and the Argonauts for grades 3-6 (March 15-26)

Opera Residences (grades 1-12)

Lyric teaching artists partner with classroom teachers to create custom learning experiences that support music, arts, and academic learning goals.

Costs vary by program
Free for Chicago Public Schools

Student Backstage Tours (grades 3-12)

As an introduction to the art form, nothing captures the imagination more than a tour of a working opera house.

For grades 3-12
Bus scholarships available to qualifying CPS schools

Student Backstage Tours (grades 3-12)

As an introduction to the art form, nothing captures the imagination more than a tour of a working opera house.

For grades 3-12
Bus scholarships available to qualifying CPS schools

Opera in the Neighborhoods (grades 3-6)

Live performances of youth-focused operas in neighborhood venues throughout the Chicago area.

For grades 3-6
45 minutes long, plus Q&A with the cast afterwards
No admission charge; suggested donation
Teacher professional development workshop
Bus scholarships available to qualifying CPS schools

Performances for Students (grades 6-12)

See world-class performances with your students at the Lyric Opera House.

For grades 6-12
$10-$20 tickets
Optional Opera Prep Class — Have a professional Lyric teaching artist come to your school to prepare students for the upcoming operas and musical
Free online classroom resources
Bus scholarships available to qualifying CPS schools

Chicago Public School Dress Rehearsals (grades 6-12)

Lyric offers free dress rehearsal passes for Chicago Public School students in grades 6-12. Passes are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more

Youth Opera Council (grades 9-12)

Chicagoland high school students with a passion for opera and the performing arts meet in weekly virtual sessions to deepen their knowledge of opera.

For grades 9-12
Free
Application required

Youth Opera Council (grades 9-12)

Chicagoland high school students with a passion for opera and the performing arts meet in weekly virtual sessions to deepen their knowledge of opera.

For grades 9-12
Free
Application required

Vocal Partnership Program (grades 9-12)

The Vocal Partnership Program serves four music schools expanding and enhancing their vocal programs and creating opportunities for exceptional young people to develop their talent through access to artistry and expertise from Lyric.

For grades 9-12
Free

Partner schools include:

The Chicago Academy for the Arts
The Chicago High School for the Arts
CPS Advanced Arts Program
Merit School of Music

Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative

Lyric is a proud partner of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, which identifies and develops gifted and motivated orchestral students from underrepresented backgrounds for acceptance into top-tier conservatory, college, or university classical music programs in preparation for careers as professional musicians.

CMPI participants are invited to final dress rehearsals and receive private lessons and adjudication services from select members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Learn more at chicagopathways.org.

Photos: Kyle Flubacker, Todd Rosenberg, Jaclyn Simpson