>> HI.

I'M ERIC FORD FOR MADE HERE EIN THE LATEST FILM PROJECT "PASSION IN A PANDEMIC" AN OPERA SINGER AND A CELEBRATED CONDUCTOR COACH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OPERA PERFORMANCE.

IN BETWEEN REHEARSING THE YOUNG SINGERS SPEAK CANDIDLY ABOUT THEIR DREAMS AND CHALLENGES IN THE AGE OF COVID.

THE FILM WASCO WINNER OF BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD AT THE 2022 MADE HERE FILM FESTIVAL.

YOU CAN WATCH "PASSION IN A PANDEMIC" AND OTHER GREAT FILMS STREAMING ON VERMONTPBS.ORG AND THROUGH THE PBSPZ APP.

ENJOY THE FILM AND THANKS FOR WATCHING.

[SINGING] >> THIS HAS EVOLVED FROM A TINY IDEA THAT'S TURNED INTO A BLOWOUT PRODUCTION.

INITIALLY WE WERE ONLY GOING TO DO ZOOM COACHING WITH FILIPO, BUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS AS LONG AS HE WAS PHYSICALLY DISTANCED FROM THE STUDENTS AND MASKED HE COULD BE IN PERSON SO THAT WAS HUGE.

[SINGING] [APPLAUSE] >> VERY NICE.

ALL GOOD.

>> I LOVE THAT THEY ARE GETTING THIS WINDOW INTO THIS WORLD, TO WORK WITH HIM, WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE HIM IN OUR BACKYARD WILLING TO OFFER HIS TIME AND HIS LOVE AND PASSION TO THESE STUDENTS.

I MEAN, I REALLY AM NOT USED TO WORK WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE DONE THAT OFTEN, BUT PART OF OUR JOBS AS MUSICIANS AND EDUCATOR IS TO PASS THE MESSAGE TO THE STUDENTS THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING ONLY FOR OLD PEOPLE.

OR IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS ELITE, OR SNOBBISH OR THAT HAS TO DO WITH ARISTOCRACY OR MONEY.

>> DEFINITELY A STEREOTYPE FOR IT TO BE BORING, SOMETIMES PRETENTIOUS.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BECAUSE IT'S MORE FUN WHEN YOU SEE PEERS PERFORMING IT AND WHEN YOU SEE STRANGERS PERFORMING IT YOU WONDER, ARE THEY ACTUALLY GOING TO DO WELL?

>> THESE PHRASES ARE STILL A LITTLE BIT MECHANIC.

YOU'RE GOING TO McDONALD'S TO GET THE CHEESEBURGER.

>> WORKING WITH HIM IS FANTASTIC.

HE WILL ALWAYS MAKE REALLY FUNNY REFERENCES TO MOVIES OR FUNNY THINGS TO GET US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S TRYING TO CONVEY ABOUT A CERTAIN MOMENT IN THE PIECES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

>> YOU CAN TELL HOW PASSIONATE HE IS ABOUT IT.

HE REALLY GETS INTO THE MOVEMENTS AND I APPRECIATE THAT IN A MUSIC DIRECTOR.

I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE A PASSIONATE TEACHER IT MAKES YOU EXCITED TO BE THERE AND MAKES YOU REALLY INTERESTED AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

[SINGING] >> OKAY.

GOOD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER'S NAME WAS JULIO THAT I NEVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET.

HE WAS A PLUMBER BUT HE WAS AN OPERA BARRITONE BY PASSION.

BY HOBBY.

THAT TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT THE POPULAR ASPECT OF THIS ART FORM.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING OF THE ELITE.

IT NEVER HAS BEEN.

>> WE HAVE A THEATER HERE.

>> KAIA.

>> WHEN SHE TOLD US THERE WOULD BE A OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH FILIPO, REHEARSE AND PERFORM OPERA MATERIAL I WAS REALLY INTERESTED AND DECIDED TO AUDITION.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO SING BECAUSE THERE WERE A FEW OPTIONS AND I DECIDED THAT THE FLOWER DUET WAS PROBABLY THE BEST CHOICE FOR ME BECAUSE I REALLY LIKED HOW IT SOUNDED AND I REALLY LIKED THE IDEA OF DOING AN ALL FEMALE DUET.

[SINGING] >> SHE IS SO FUN TO SING WITH.

OUR VOICES BLEND REALLY WELL.

SHE IS VERY EXPRESSIVE.

IT'S VERY LIKE FRIENDLY ALMOSTSTERLY INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO AND THEY JUST GO DOWN AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS IN THE SPRING AND THE FLOWERS.

>> IT'S A TRAGEDY, BUT THE SONG ISN'T REALLY ABOUT IT BEING A TRAGEDY.

JUST ABOUT THEM GOING AND ENJOYING THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.

>> I COME FROM FLORENCE, ITALY, SO THAT'S WHERE I GREW UP.

THE RENAISSANCE.

IT WAS BORN OF THE NECESSITY TO PUT TOGETHER A STORY WITH SINGING.

>> BECAUSE WE'RE DOING JUST SELECTIONS FROM SHOWS, WE'RE NOT DOING A FULL OPERA, IT'S GOOD TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS AN ACTING PERFORMANCE AS WELL.

THEY ARE SHOWS.

THEY TELL A STORY.

THEY ARE NOT JUST LIKE AN OPERA SONG.

[SINGING] >> DON GIOVANI IS TRYING TO SEDUCE THIS YOUNG WOMAN WHOSE NAME IS -- ESCAPING ME AT THE MOMENT.

>> MY CHARACTER IN THE SONG, HER NAME IS ZERALINA, AND I'M ENGAGED TO SOMEBODY ELSE AND GUNNER'S CHARACTER IS TRYING TO SEDUCE ME TO GET ME AWAY FROM MY FIANCE.

>> HE'S NOT A GOOD GUY.

HE DESCRIBED THEM AS A CONTROLLING, MANIPULATIVE, POWERFUL MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS AND KNOWS HOW TO GET IT.

HE'S LIKE, RUN AWAY WITH ME.

>> THAT'S WHAT OUR SONG IS ABOUT.

COME ON, LET'S GO.

I'M SAYING I WANT TO BUT I DON'T WANT TO.

>> I GOT THE PASSION FROM MY FAMILY AND FROM THERE ON IT NEVER REALLY ABANDONED ME IN MY LIFE.

[APPLAUSE] >> IT JUST MAKES ME HAPPY.

RIGHT NOW DOING THIS PROJECT I JUST FEEL JOYFUL.

IT'S LIKE THIS BUBBLE OF JOY IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC THAT'S SO TOUGH.

[SINGING] >> I'M A PAPA BIRD.

THERE'S APPARENTLY TWO BIRDS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WANT TO HAVE BABIES.

>> THEY ARE REALLY HAPPY AND THEY SING THIS SONG, THE DUET, ABOUT THEIR LIFE TOGETHER AND THEY ARE IN LOVE AND THEY ARE DEVOTED TO EACH OTHER AND THEY WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN.

[SINGING] >> PAPA BIRD WANTS A BOY.

THE MAMA BIRD WANTS A GIRL.

>> THEY HAVE A FUNNY ARGUMENT ABOUT WHICH ONES THEY WANT AND THEY DECIDE, WHY NOT BOTH?

>> YEAH.

IT'S VERY CUTE SONG.

[SINGING] >> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE OVER ALL MOOD OF THE SCENE?

>> HAPPY.

HEART-WARMING.

>> YES.

IT'S SORT OF LIKE THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY SONG LIKE OPERA SONG.

>> VERY TRUE.

EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO SOUND ENTHUSIASTIC AND CHILD LIKE.

>> HE'S AN EXPERT.

IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE BLAST LEARNING FROM HIM, GIVING OUT POINTERS, TELLING ME WHAT I NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS MORE HAPPY AND FUNNY.

[SINGING] >> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A TRADITION REALLY SINCE THE BEGINNING.

I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT IS PARTICULARLY MUSICAL.

I THINK PARTLY HAS TO DO WITH A CERTAIN INTEREST AND LOVE FOR MELODIES THAT ITALIANS HAVE ALWAYS HAD IN THEIR CULTURE.

[SINGING] SING.

>> WHEN THEY ARE SINGING FROM CO-PSI -- WHICH IS A SHOW BY MOZART.

>> BASICALLY THE STORY IS THAT THERE ARE THESE TWO YOUNG MEN AND THEY EACH HAVE A FIANCE.

AND ONE DAY THEY MAKE A NEW FRIEND CALLED DON ALFONSO, COM IS MY CHARACTER.

BASICALLY THEY HAVE A BET WHERE DON ALFONSO SAYS WOMEN ARE NOT FAITHFUL, WHICH IS KIND OF WEIRD, BUT ANYWAY -- >> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT MISOGYNISTIC.

BUT I THINK THE MUSIC IS REALLY PRETTY.

>> SO THE TWO YOUNG MEN PRETEN TO GO OFF TO WAR AND THEN THEY COME BACK IN DISGUISE AND TRY TO SEDUCE THEIR FIANCES.

>> I THINK IT'S KIND OF RIDICULOUS, BUT I GUESS, YOU KNOW, MOZART WAS -- IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

THINGS HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED.

>> SOME OF THE DREAMS IN OPERA CAN SOUND DATED BECAUSE THEY ARE.

STORIES WERE WRITTEN HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO BUT THE BASIC HUMAN EMOTION OF PIECES LIKE OTHELLO, DON GIOVANI, THEY REMAIN SOMETHING ON BASIC HEIM LEVEL EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO.

>> THERE ARE ONE OR TWO STUDENTS BEFORE WE AUDITIONED, I WAS JUST HANG IN THERE WITH ME.

YOU'LL LEARN NEW STUFF.

BE PATIENT WITH THE PROCESS.

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS.

THERE'S ALWAYS THE STEREOTYPICAL OPERA THAT I'M SURE EVERYONE THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY THINK OF OPERA.

WHEN I TOLD MY FRIENDS, OH, MY GOD, I'M DOING SOME AMAZING OPERA THING, THEY ARE LIKE, WHAT?

OPERA?

I CAN'T IMAGINE YOU SINGING OPERA.

[SINGING] I HAVE NEVER DONE OPERA BEFORE.

I KIND OF THOUGHT IT WAS THIS DAUNTING THING.

YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE LIKE THE RIGHT POSITIONING WHEN YOU'RE SINGING.

BUT ALL MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN REALLY INTERESTED IN IT, REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT HOW IT'S GOING.

REALLY SUPPORTIVE AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> EVERYTHING HIT LAST "MARCH."

IT WAS LIKE THE WORLD STOPPED FOR A SECOND AND I THINK KIDS, THEY ARE SOCIAL CREATURES.

THEY NEED TO BE INTERACTING AND TO BE ISOLATED IN THEIR ROOMS IT'S NOT HEALTHY PARTICULARLY AT THESE FORMATIVE YEARS IN THEIR LIVES.

>> AT FIRST I WAS HAPPY BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING TO SCHOOL.

THAT'S MY ROOM OVER THERE.

AS TIME WENT ON I WAS REALLY MISSING SINGING AND DANCING AND PERFORMING AND ACTING AND ALL THAT.

>> COVID HAS BEEN VERY TRANSFORMATIVE I WOULD SAY.

IT'S DEFINITELY TAKEN A LOT FROM EVERYBODY.

IT'S MADE ME PERSONALLY THINK AS A JUNIOR NOW IT HAD GIVEN ME SOME TIME TO CATCH UP TO WHAT I WANT MY FUTURE TO LOOK LIKE AND I THINK THAT THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT.

>> I'M A VERY SOCIAL PERSON, SO IT WAS HORRIBLE NOT SEEING MY FRIENDS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WHEN WE WERE GOING BACK TO IN-PERSON LEARNING I WAS ECSTATIC BUT I HAD TO WEAR A MASK THE WHOLE TIME.

THAT'S THE ONLY DOWNSIDE.

I CAN BARELY BREATHE IN A MASK.

>> AT FIRST IT WAS WEIRD.

I'M A HUGGER.

I LOVE HUGS.

I LOVE TO BE, LIKE, WITH MY FRIENDS AND LIKE THAT AND ESPECIALLY MEETING NEW PEOPLE I SEE THEM TAKE THEIR MASK OFF TO DRINK WATER, I HAD NO IDEA YOU EVEN LOOKED LIKE THAT BECAUSE YOU ONLY SEE HALF THEIR FACE.

>> EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOW WITH PEOPLE IT STILL FEELS LIKE WE'RE ISOLATED BECAUSE WE'RE SHIELDED OFF.

IT'S NOT THE SAME.

>> FOR ME IT HASN'T AFFECTED MUCH.

ACTUALLY I LIKE TO HAVE A MASK ON BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL SAFER.

I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT IT DOES.

I NEVER REALLY TOUCHED PEOPLE ANYWAY, SO IT HASN'T REALLY CHANGED MUCH EXCEPT THE BREATHING WITH THE MASK IS DIFFICULT.

>> BUT WE DO HAVE THESE MASKS AT SCHOOL BUT IT'S LIKE HELPS PROJECT AND DOESN'T GET ALL SPITTY.

[SINGING] >> VERY NICE.

ONE THING ABOUT ITALIAN THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER LANGUAGES IS THAT WE REALLY ARE ABOUT THE VOWELS.

YOU WANT TO SING THEM AS LONG AS YOU CAN, RIGHT?

SO -- MORE THAN -- [SINGING] YOU WANT TO SING -- [SINGING] >> THE BULK I WHAT WE'RE DOING IS THAT IDEA OF A PADRE LEANING IN TO THE NOTES.

[SINGING] >> THAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR ME BECAUSE WITH MY BACKGROUND IN MUSICAL THEATER AND IN JAZZ RHYTHM IS HOW I DO A LOT OF MY EXPRESSION.

WITH OPERA YOU HAVE ONE RHYTHM, THAT IS LEGATO.

>> DISNEY CARTOON.

[SINGING] YOU'RE PROBABLY TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER.

THAT.

>> HE CAN BE VERY CRITICAL BUT NEVER IN A WAY THAT COMES ACROSS AS MEAN.

>> TO HAVE FILIPO SAY, YOUR CHARACTER IS DOING THIS, I WANT TO HEAR IT IN THE VOICE.

>> I'M USED TO TREATING EVERYONE EQUALLY, TRYING NOT TO PATRONIZE YOUNG MUSICIANS AND I THINK THE STUDENTS DO APPRECIATE THAT.

[SINGING] IT'S VORRRAY.

>> I A LOT OF THE SONGS HAVE ROLLED Rs IN THEM.

>> YOU KEEP TRYING.

>> THAT'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR ME.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT'S IN ITALIAN AND I DO NOT SPEAK ITALIAN SO I SORT OF HAVE TO CONSCIOUSLY THINK I HAVE TO KEEP MY MOUTH IN A CERTAIN POSITION LIKE HOLDING MY MOUTH A CERTAIN WAY OR HOLDING BUY BODY A CERTAIN WAY.

>> THREE, FOUR.

[SINGING] >> MOZART IS VERY ACCESSIBLE TO YOUNGER SINGERS.

THERE'S A LOVELY FLOW TO IT.

THE RANGES ARE NOT RIDICULOUS.

VERY HEALTHY.

I COULD PROGRAM MOZART UNTIL THE CATS COME HOME.

IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMPOSERS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS.

VERY WELL DONE.

>> THE IT'S A REACH PIECE FOR US.

MORE CHALLENGING.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

>> IT'S NOT A DUET FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

AS IT TURNED OUT WE HAD TWO SETS OF SENIORS VERY CAPABLE OF STUDYING AND LEARNING THAT PARTICULAR DUET.

[SINGING] >> NOW TRY TO DO IT AS LEGATO AS YOU CAN.

>> OKAY.

>> IT'S STILL A LITTLE BIT ARTIFICIAL.

THROW IT AWAY MORE.

[SINGING] >> IT WAS BETTER BEFORE.

TRY TO BE DIVA A LITTLE BIT.

THAT'S PART OF THE BUSINESS.

I ALWAYS HAVE TO -- YOU CAN'T DO THIS JOB WITHOUT BEING IT A LITTLE BIT.

[SINGING] >> THE MAIN REASON OPERA CHARACTERS SING OR REALLY IN ANY MUSICALS THE REASON YOU SING IS YOU'RE SO OVERCOME WE HAVE MOTION THE ONLY WAY TO EXPRESS YOU'RE SELF-IS IN SONG SO YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE OVER THE TOP WITH ACTING.

[SINGING] >> WHAT?

>> YOU'RE AHEAD OF ME.

YOU'RE AHEAD OF ME.

DO YOU SEE IT?

>> YES.

>> OKAY, SO YOU ARE REALLY LIKE TRYING TO HURT ME.

ON PURPOSE.

>> I LOVE FILIPO.

HE'S SO MUCH FUN TO WORK WITH.

HE'S DEFINITELY INTIMIDATING BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TALENTED HE IS BUT HE'S VERY REAL, HE ISN'T SOMEONE WHO FLUFFS THINGS UP TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.-YOU NEED S SO HELPFUL WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON DIFFICULT MATERIAL LIKE THE FLOWER DUET.

>> THE PIECE TODAY IS CLEARLY A HUGE, HUGE UNDERTAKING.

>> YES.

IT'S AN INTERESTING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY STUDENTS HAVE TO WORK ON THEIR VOICE AND TO START FIGURING OUT THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE CONNECTED WITH SINGING.

THEIR BODY.

>> EXACTLY.

THE WAY THEY FEEL THIS PIECE NOW VERSUS HOW THEY WILL FEEL IT TEN YEARS FROM NOW IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME.

>> THE VOICES ARE AT A CRITICAL STAGE FROM A PHYSICAL POINT OF VIEW, THE MOMENT OF CHANGE, FINDING THEIR OWN SOUND, THEIR OWN VOICE.

>> OPERA IS DEFINITELY ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE.

THERE'S A LOT OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND THE RHYTHMS AND TEMPO, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE SINGING WITH OTHER PEOPLE LIKE I'M SING NOT GUILTY A TRIO WITH OALICIA AND RILEY.

WE HAVE TO BE SING WHEREONIZED.

IT HAS TO BE REALLY SMOOTH.

>> WE ARE SO DEPENDENT ON OUR BREATH SUPPORT, CONNECTED TO THE EARTH, TO EACH OTHER, FEEL JOY.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE JOY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE LEFT.

[LAUGHTER] >> I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH ANXIETY MY WHOLE LIFE SO I JUST GET NERVOUS FOR MOST THINGS IN GENERAL.

BUT MUSIC KIND OF HAS BEEN THE ART FORM THAT REALLY STUCK WITH ME, SO WHEN WE'RE ALL SINGING IT MAKES MY REALLY HAPPY.

>> DEPRESSION IS REAL FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS RIGHT NOW AND FINDING WAYS TO SUPPORT THEM AND GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED AS THEY GO DOWN THAT JOURNEY OF BEING BETWEEN CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD IN A PANDEMIC.

>> THE WORKLOAD IS A LOT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF HAVE STRUGGLED WITH STAYING MENTALLY HEALTHY BECAUSE OF JUST THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> I USED TO SWIM AND PLAY BASEBALL.

THEN IT CAME A TIME THAT THAT HANOVER RIGOR KICKED IN AND I COULDN'T DO BOTH THAT AND MUSIC AND ALL THAT SO I DID MUSIC.

NOW I DON'T REALLY SEE ANY OF MY OLD SWIM OR BASEBALL FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SORT OF MOVED ON WITH THEIR LIVES AND I HAVE MOVED ON WITH MINE.

>> I GUESS SOCIALLY THERE'S A LOT OF STRESS TRYING TO FIT IN.

I'M INDIAN.

BEING NOT WHITE IN AN ALL WHITE SCHOOL CAN KIND OF BE SCARY SOMETIMES WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE OTHER PEOPLE, I GUESS.

I GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS LIKE WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I'M LIKE HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

NO, WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM?

THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

I JUST TRY MY BEST TO REMIND THEM THAT IT'S NOT VERY RESPECTFUL TO SAY THAT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THINK I'M IN A VERY SMALL WAY THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT CAN BE A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN HAVE A SAFE SPACE WITH ADULTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IF THEY WANT TO TALK TO US.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO FEEL SAFE AND BREATHE LIFE IS PRETTY TOUGH.

>> IT'S REALLY HELPFUL TO ME TO DO TAI CHI.

HELPS ME RELAX.

I DIDN'T COME FROM A GREAT MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THE KIDS WERE MEAN TO ME IN 8th GRADE.

DURING MY YEARS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD ASPERGER'S SYNDROME.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.

IT MAKES ME FEEL LONELY BUT AT THE SAME TIME MAKES ME WANT TO BE ALONE.

[SINGING] BUT LEAVING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOL, IT GOT A LITTLE BETTER.

GOT INTO ALL THESE SHOWS, ALL THESE SCHOOL MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS.

AND I TRY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AS MUCH AS I CAN.

MAKING SURE I'M NOT TOO, TOO LONELY.

BUT MISS CHAMBERS WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS.

SHE'S BEEN WITH ME SINCE I WAS A NERVOUS LITTLE FRESHMAN AND I THANK HER FOR.

THAT.

>> TRULY ONE REASON I WENT INTO EDUCATION IS THIS IS FARRYL INTENSE AND CUTTHROAT IN NATURE SO HAVING A CHANCE TO HAVE KIDS BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION SO WHEN THEIR TRA J JECTRY TAKES THEM, IF IT DOES, INTO PERFORMANCE THEY WON'T BE BEATEN DOWN BY THE WORLD.

IT CAN BE HARD.

>> I REALLY ENJOY SCHOOL BUT IT'S STRESSFUL AND OTHER THINGS IN MY LIFE CONTRIBUTE TO STRESS, ESPECIALLY EVEN WITH THE GIRLS THAT I SING WITH EVERY DAY I GET INSECURE ABOUT MY VOICE OR, YOU KNOW, THE WAY I LOOK COMPARED TO THEM OR WHATEVER.

[SINGING] I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE A MOMENT WHERE THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WE HAVEN'T SET A HARD AND FAST DATE FOR THE FINAL PERFORMANCE BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S IN THEIR SKIN.

THEY ARE READY.

BUT THE OTHER FLIP SIDE IS TO TEACH THEM THAT DISCIPLINE, THAT EARLY IS ON TIME.

THAT YOU HAVE A PENCIL, THAT YOU'RE READY.

THOSE ARE GOOD LESSONS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY PURSUE OPERA OR GO TONTO A DIFFERENT CAREER.

>> OKAY.

SHALL WE START?

>> WE'RE AT A PLACE FROM THE FLOWER DUET WILL NEED COACHING AS MUCH AS IT NEEDS BUT THE OTHER PIECE FEELING GOOD ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE.

>> OKAY.

LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING.

WHEN YOU SING, YOU HAVE TO ACT TO BE SOMEONE ELSE.

>> SO MY CHARACTER IS LUCK MAE, A RICH LADY IN INDIA, AND SHE'S WITH HER SERVANT, HER MADE MALIKA.

>> THEY ARE LIKE FRIENDS AND THEY ARE JUST KIND OF TALKING ABOUT THE FLOWERS.

YES.

IT'S A PRETTY SIMPLE STORY.

>> IT NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF ENTHUSIASM, A LITTLE BIT YOU BELIEVE IN IT.

IF YOU LOOK AT A CONCERT YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO SEE RENE FLEMMING COMING ON STAGE LIKE THIS.

[LAUGHTER] RIGHT?

YOU SEE SHE COMES ON STAGE LIKE THIS.

LOOK AT ME!

I'M HERE!

I'M GREAT.

YOU GUYS SUCK.

I'M THE BEST.

YOU AREN'T.

IT MAKES SENSE WHAT I'M SAYING?

>> YES.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE IT IN YOU.

[SINGING] >> WE WILL HAVE A FINAL PRODUCT THAT'S GOING TO BE GORGEOUS I HAVE NO DOUBT AND WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING IN DAY-TO-DAY COACHING AND THE LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE REQUIRED OF THEM IS THE LESSON.

[SINGING] >> VERY NICE.

MY LAST WORD OF WISDOM, MAKE SURE YOU WORK THROUGH THE BREATHING AND YOU MAKE SURE THESE LONG PHRASES YOU PLANNED IT OUT IN A WAY THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH BREATH TO DO IT.

AT THIS POINT THAT'S THE MAIN CONCERN.

NOW WE CAN SWITCH, RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE TO LET THE ROOM CLEAR.

THEY ARE MOVING ROOMS EVERY 30 MINUTES BUT THE THING I TRY TO FOCUS ON IS WE GET TO BE IN PERSON.

SO FAR WITH ONLY A FEW CASES HAVE HAD ZERO TRANSMISSION IN THE SCHOOL.

KNOCK ON WOOD.

[SINGING] >> LIGHTLY LONGER.

>> IT'S PHENOMENAL TO SEE THEIR PROGRESS, TO GO FROM THAT NO LEARNING STAGE WONDERING WHEN TO COME INTO NOW, I FEEL LIKE TODAY IT LOCKED IN AND I THINK THEY FELT LIKE THAT TOO.

>> THEY ARE STILL NOT READY FOR THE PERFORMANCE BUT WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE I HEARD THEM LAST TIME AND THEY ALL UNDERSTOOD WHAT THEY HAVE TO WORK ON.

>> TO REALLY SEE THIS TO FRUITION I WANTED TO PUT STUDENT INSTRUMENALISTS WITH THEM.

THE NEXT STEP WILL WRITE IN PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS TO FLESH OUT THE CHAMBER ENSEMBLE.

MY TEACHER AND THE CONDUCTOR IN MY ORCHESTRA NORMALLY ARE SOFTER, BUT I'M LEARNING A LOT FROM HIM SO I THINK IT'S GOOD.

HE'S NOT TOO TOUGH.

>> ONE, TWO, THREE -- >> BETTER.

I HAVE A VERY HIGH REGARD BUT ONLY OF MUSIC AS AN ART FORM, OF COURSE, BUT ALSO OF MUSIC AS A LIFE LESSON.

THE REASON IS BECAUSE MUSIC TEACHES YOU HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

LOOK, YOU WORK TOGETHER, YOU SOUND BETTER.

SEE, YOU DON'T FEEL HOW MUCH YOU'RE ACCELERATING THAT?

YOU'RE NOT TOGETHER.

WATCH EACH OTHER.

ARE YOU FRIENDS?

KIND OF?

NO?

BECOME FRIENDS FOR THIS.

ONE, TWO -- [SINGING] >> ENOUGH.

ENOUGH.

THIS ARTICULATION.

>> I THOUGHT WE SHOULD BE PRACTICING MORE.

IT'S KIND OF UNFORTUNATE BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> MUCH BETTER.

>> I DECIDED I WANTED TO BE A CONDUCTOR PROBABLY AGE EIGHT, TEN, VERY YOUNG.

I JUST WAS VERY FASCINATED BY THE IDEA OF THESE MEN THAT COULD GENERATE SOUND WITH THEIR HANDS.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL, AND IT'S HEARTFELT AND IT'S IMMEDIATE.

IT'S EMOTIONAL AND IT'S VERY COMPELLING.

THE JOB OF THE CONDUCTOR IS MINIMALLY MAKING SURE THEY ORCHESTRATE TOGETHER.

I THINK THAT THIS PROJECT IS A GREAT OCCASION FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF A GROUP.

VERY NICE.

I THINK YOU CAN GET BETTER.

YOU CAN DO IT.

AT THIS POINT FIND TIMES WHEN YOU CAN PLAY TOGETHER.

TAKE THE TIME TO REALLY PLAY LIKE A TEAM.

>> I'M THRILLED THAT THEY ARE GETTING ALL THIS DONE ON MOSTLY SELF-INITIATED SO FAR NOW WE'RE GOING TO COME IN AND POLISH.

[SINGING] >> IT'S KIND OF AN INTERPRETIVE DANCE, WHICH HAS TO BE OF COURSE ALWAYS USEFUL, RIGHT, TO THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT IT ALSO HAS TO HAVE AN ASPECT OF EXPRESSIVENESS.

WHAT YOU DO SHOULDN'T A CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE.

THAT WOULD BE JUST A FAKE KIND OF CARICATURE OF A CONDUCTOR.

WHAT YOU DO COMES FROM YOUR IDEAS, RIGHT, FROM YOUR THOUGHTS.

[SINGING] >> YOU GUYS SOUND GOOD BUT IT'S ALWAYS VERY DANGEROUS.

THEN YOU RELAX.

NOW WE SWITCH GEARS.

ONE, TWO, THREE -- [SINGING] >> THE TRICK OF THIS IS IT'S NOT DIFFICULT BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP THE SENSE OF SLIGHTLY LONGER.

>> I STRUGGLE WITH PHRASING ON BOTH THE VIOLIN AND WHEN I'M SINGING, BUT A LOT OF THE TIME I CAN APPLY PHRASING THINGS THAT I LEARNED FROM MY VIOLIN PRACTICE TO WHAT I'M SINGING.

THEN THERE'S ALSO THE TRANSITION FROM BOWING AND NO WORDS TO A BREATH AND WORDS.

[SINGING] SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SPECIFICALLY STRUGGLE WITH WITH SINGING IS MAKING SURE IT'S NOT ALL CONSONANT.

23 IT'S ALL CONSONANT THEN IT DOESN'T SOUND VERY NICE.

>> EVERYTHING CAN BE A CHALLENGE BUT AT THIS STAGE IT'S ALSO A JOY I HOPE.

YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND YOU SING AND WHATEVER COMES OUT YOU DEVELOP THE SINGING AND THE REPERTOIRE.

IT'S A REAL PRIVILEGE I THINK, IN MY OPINION.

[SINGING] JUST TO BE WORKING AND GOING OVER IT AND PERFECTING IT, WE'RE DOING IT IT'S REALLY, REALLY SUCH A GIFT FOR THEM AND THEY FEEL HIS ENERGY AND HIS PASSION.

THAT INSPIRES THEM.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO GET WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GET WHERE WE CAN GET AT THIS POINT BUT I THINK THAT WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY IN A SETTING LIKE THIS IS THE JOURNEY, NOT MUCH THE FINAL PRODUCT.

>> JUST THE FINAL STRETCH.

I WANT THEM TO FEEL REALLY SOLID AND GOOD WHEN WE DO THE FINAL PERFORMANCE AND I THINK TODAY WAS HUGE FOR THEM.

TODAY WE ALSO SOLIDIFIED THE SCORES, TYING A A LOT OF LOOSE STRINGS UP AND MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> I REALLY FELT ONE.

>> I THINK IT'S PERFECT FOR THE CHARACTER.

>> THE DAY THE DRESSES FIRST CAME IN THEIR EXPRESSIONS WERE SO CUTE.

THERE HAVEN'T BEEN SOCIAL EVENTED OR REASONS FOR ALL OF US.

THE NEW WARD ROPED IS SWEATPANTS AND A SWEATSHIRT.

IT WILL BE REALLY FUN THEN THE FINAL PERFORMANCE.

GOOD TO GO.

>> I THINK WE'RE GETTING VERY CLOSE.

I THINK THAT AT THIS POINT I THAT THINK ALL OF THE CHOIR, THE ORCHESTRA REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT I WANTED FROM THEM.

WHAT I WANT MAY NOT ME PERSONALLY BUT I THINK THE MUSIC DEMANDS FROM THEM.

>> HERE WE ARE NOW WE'RE ROCK 'N' ROLLING AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING.

>> WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT 80 PEOPLE.

MOST OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE -- >> BEEN PRACTICING FOR THE BIG DAY.

BEEN TRYING TO BUT I'M ALSO DOING THE SCHOOL MUSICAL, SO IT LEFT ME COMPLETELY DRAINED.

NOW THAT THE MUSICAL IS OVER WITH I CAN NOW FOCUS MORE ON THE HERE AND NOW AND THAT'S IT.

>> PROBABLY NEED ANOTHER -- >> I DID LAST ONE AND A HALF YEARS HAS REALLY BEEN A TOLL ON EVERYONE'S CAREER HONESTLY.

SOMETHING IS RESTARTING.

>> >> IT WILL GET MORE INTERESTING MAKING THAT WORK AND GETTING SOUND SET UP BECAUSE WE GET TO HAVE NEW PERSONALITIES.

YAYYY!

THE FIRST 20 MINUTES WITH JUST THE ORCHESTRA MAKING SURE THEY ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, NO PUN INTENDED.

>> WE'LL SEE HOW EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE DON'T HAVE FULLY VACCINATED STUDENTS.

SOME HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST SHOTS, SOME COULDN'T GET THE VACCINE YET FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS BUT WE STARTED IN MASKS AND WE FINISH WITHOUT MASKS ON.

[SINGING] >> YOU NEEDED A CHANCE TO EAT AND DO STUFF SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT TODAY BUT UNDERSTAND FOR ANY PROFESSIONAL GIGS YOU'LL BE FIRED ON SPOT IF YOU SHOW UP LATE.

>> THERE ARE BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND.

WHEN THEY LEAVE US THEY WON'T BE BIG FISH ANY MORE SO IT'S MAKING SURE THEY KNOW YOU'RE REALLY GOOD AND THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE.

>> I'LL TAKE WORK ETHIC OVER TALENT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

IF I HAVE A SINGER THAT SHOWS UP ON TIME PREPARED AND ANOTHER SINGER WITH A BEAUTIFUL VOICE AND IS LATE ALL THE TIME I PICK THE KID WHO SHOWS UP ON TIME.

THEY WILL LEAVE US, THEY WON'T GET HIRED.

>> MOST IMPORTANT THING TODAY, YOU GUYS, PLEASE HAVE FUN.

I SEE LOTS OF WORRIED LOOKS.

PLEASE JUST HAVE FUN.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE WE LOVE SINGING AND WE LOVE BEING TOGETHER.

>> LET'S DO THIS.

[SINGING] >> YOU NOW, AT THIS POINT THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO TO HELP YOU.

THEY CAN'T DO MUCH TO HELP YOU EITHER.

THEY RESPOND TO YOU.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

IT'S ALWAYS A DRESS REHEARSAL WORKING THROUGH ALL THE KINKS.

[SINGING] >> SO -- YOU HAVE A FULL 8th NOTE.

[SINGING] >> THANK YOU, GUYS.

>> LET'S DO THIS.

>> I GOT A CALL YESTERDAY OR ASKED ME TO CALL AND TOLD ME THAT MY PARENTS TAJ HAD TO QUARANTINE FROM A CASE HE HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING ALL YEAR WITH PEOPLE.

IF THERE'S A CASE THEY HAVE TO CONTACT TRACY AND THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE UNTIL THEY KNOW THEY ARE NEGATIVE.

I GUESS THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.

>> AFTER MY MOTHER TOLD ME I WAS JUST -- I JUST NEEDED TO BE ALONE AND I JUST CRIED.

I FELT LIKE I WORKED SO HARD AND ALL OF MY HARD WORK HAS BEEN FOR NOTHING.

I FELT ANGRY, SAD, CONFUSED.

>> YEAH.

I FEEL SO BAD THAT HE DOESN'T GET TO DO IT.

>> I WAS UPSET I COULDN'T PERFORM WITH KATIE.

>> WALLY STEPPED IN.

>> YESTERDAY AT I THINK 11:00 IT WAS I SAW THIS FROM MS.

CHAMBERS THAT SAYS CALL ME ASAP.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANT.

SO I CALLED AND SHE SAID OKAY, TAJ IS OUT SICK AND YOU'RE GOING TO SING.

I SAID OKAY, SURE, I CAN DO THAT.

[SINGING] >> BOTH OF YOU IN THE LASTMINUT.

TERRIFIC.

>> USUALLY IN THE REAL WORLD YOU HAVE UNDER STUDIES.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE READY TO STEP UP WHEN NEEDED.

YOU MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE REHEARSAL THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS THE NIGHT BEFORE OR THE MORNING OF YOU NEED TO GET READY AND REMEMBER EVERYTHING.

SO YES, WE HAD THAT TOO.

[LAUGHTER] I GUESS IT'S GOOD THAT HE WAS PLAYING THE MUSIC FOR THAT PIECE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND THAT HE'S VERY SMART AND VERY FAST.

>> I'M GOING TO WARM EVERYONE UP.

>> WHERE IS GUNNER?

>> YOU'RE GOING IT ALONE.

>> FIVE MINUTES TO 5:00 THE ORCHESTRA IS GOING TO GO TO THEIR PLACES THEN SINGERS, YOU'RE GOING TO SNEAK A LINE AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH SO YOU GO DOWN THE CENTER.

YOU LOOK GORGEOUS.

>> MY SHOE CAME OFF.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THIS HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE.

WE HAD A STUDENT UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE WHICH IS HEARTBREAKING BUT I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT RILEY CHIN, WHO IS PRAYING IN THE ENSEMBLE AS WELL AS SINGING WITHIN A DAY'S WORK LEARNED THE DUET SO THAT WE COULD PERFORM THAT TONIGHT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO RILEY CHEN.

[APPLAUSE] [SINGING] >> I WAS NERVOUS I WAS GOING TO SING OFF PITCH BUT I DIDN'T, SO THAT'S GOOD.

IT WAS HELPFUL WE HAD SO LONG TO WORK ON IT AND WE HAD A LOT OF PREPARED SO THAT HELPED A LOT.

I DIDN'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT I WAS SINGING THAT MUCH, JUST CAME OUT OF ME.

[SINGING] >> I HAVE ALREADY BEEN LOOKING INTO OPERA.

I BOUGHT A BOOK WITH OPERA SONGS TO SING BECAUSE I JUST LOVE T. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE NEVER BEEN WITH IT BEFORE.

[SINGING] >> YOU'RE OPENING YOURSELF UP TO A DIALOGUE WITH A WHOLE AUDIENCE ABOUT WHAT IT IS YOU'RE FEELING.

THAT IS LIKE THE MOST MAGICAL ASPECT OF ART TO ME.

I JUST WANT TO DO THAT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

>> SOME OF THEM WILL CARRY THESE SONGS WITH THEM THEIR WHOLE LIFE AND SING IT AGAIN AND REMEMBER THAT FIRST TIME THAT THEY TOUCHED ON IT.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY, REALLY GREAT TO HAVE AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS.

JUST WORKING OFF OF EACH OTHER IS A BIG PART OF THIS DUET.

>> THAT'S THE MOST FUN PART.

YOU REALLY GET TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER PERSON AND MATCH YOUR VOICE TO THEIRS AND WHEN YOU DO THAT IT SOUNDS REALLY COOL.

>> YOU CAN BE PART OF THE THE COMMUNITY AND VIBRATE TOGETHER AND BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO START, WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO END.

WE KNOW WE'RE DOING IT TOGETHER.

WE KNOW WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF IT TOGETHER BECAUSE LIFE IS SO SHORT.

WE HAVE ALL BEEN STRUCK BY THAT LIVING THROUGH THIS TIME RIGHT NOW.

[APPLAUSE] [SINGING] >> I HAVE BEEN SINGING MY WHOLE LIFE, HONESTLY.

IT'S A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE AND SINGING WITH PEOPLE IN GENERAL IS JUST A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT I THINK.

THERE'S THIS MUTUAL LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE MUSIC.

>> I'M A CLASSICAL MUSIC PERSON, AND I DON'T REALLY LIKE POPULAR MUSIC THAT MUCH.

I CAN TOLERATE IT NOW.

I USED TO BE A COMPLETE MUSIC SNOB, AND I WOULD JUST SAY, OH, NO, HOW IS SCREAMING MUSIC?

I'VE GOTTEN OVER THAT PHASE.

>> TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

I DID NOT EXPECT IT TO BECOME THIS BIG THING BUT I'M ACTUALLY REALLY GRATEFUL FOR IT AND DEFINITELY GLAD THAT WE GET TO SHARE IT LIVE BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF MUSIC, IS JUST SHARING IT.

>> I WAS SO ELATED TO WATCH THE PERFORMANCE FROM THE LIVE FEED.

EVERYONE DID A GREAT JOB.

APPLAUSE FOR ME!

BUT WHEN IT CAME TO MY SONG, I COULDN'T WATCH ANY MORE, YOU KNOW.

[SINGING] >> GOD IS A GIVER.

HE'S ALSO A TAKER, YOU KNOW.

I LEARNED FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE TO APPRECIATE GOD AND EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES, YOU KNOW.

COMPLICATED.

[APPLAUSE] >> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS THAT IT EXPOSES THE STUDENTS TO THIS REPERTOIRE SINCE EARLY AGE SO HOPEFULLY THAT MEANS THAT THEY WILL BE PASSIONATE ABOUT KNOWING MORE IN THE FUTURE THEY CONTINUE TO GO TO OPERA EVEN IF THEY DON'T BECOME MUSICIAN.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I PERSONALLY REALLY WANT TO GO INTO POLITICAL SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT BUT I DO PLAN ON PURSUING MUSIC IN A MORE KIND OF CASUAL FASHION TO FIND JOY WHEN I NEED IT.

>> MY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE ARE JUST TO SUPPORT MYSELF AS AN ACTOR MUSICIAN.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE ORIGINATE AGO ROAM ON BROADWAY AND BEING ABLE TO PERFORM TO THE MASSES.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO GO SOMETHING THAT IS ALWAYS PART OF MY LIFE, BUT I'M DEFINITELY NOT ON TRACK TO BECOME FAMOUS IN ANY WAY.

WHICH I AM VERY HAPPY WITH.

>> MY DREAM WOULD BE TO BE IN A BAND LIKE I WOULD BE JUST -- THAT WOULD MAKE ME THE HAPPIEST PERSON EVER BUT ALSO LIKE MISS CHAMBERS IS SUCH AN AMAZING TEACHER I WOULD LOVE TO BE THAT TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> I'M HOPING TO GO INTO ACTING AND ALSO FILM AND MEDIA BECAUSE I'M INTO PERFORMING.

YEAH.

>> REALLY WITH MY MUSIC AND MY DRIVE TO PERFORM AND CREATE IS MOSTLY FOR ME AND THE JOY THAT IT BRINGS.

I THINK IF I WOULD LIKE TO BE A FAMOUS AND WIDELY KNOWN SINGER I THINK THAT IS LESS IMPORTANT TO ME THAN JUST ME BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.

>> I DON'T KNOW, I SHOULD PROBABLY THINK ABOUT IT MORE BUT I'M NOT REALLY CERTAIN ABOUT THINGS YET.

>> HISTORY HAS REALLY STARTED TO INTEREST ME NOWADAYS.

NOT THAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT POLITICS.

>> I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT WHY THINGS HAPPENED AND WHAT WENT WRONG AND HOW YOU COULD CHANGE THE FUTURE.

I FEEL LIKE HISTORY IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAN ABOUT THE FUTURE IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

I'M A CROSS-COUNTRY SKIER.

I RACE ON THE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM.

I'M IN AN A CAPELLA GROUP.

YEAH.

>> IT COULDN'T HAVE GONE BETTER.

EVERY SINGLE GROUP FELT REALLY GL ABOUT THEIR PERFORMANCE.

IT'S AMAZING TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE.

AMAZING.

THEY WERE VERY RESPONSIVE AND I FEEL DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE AS A WHOLE REALLY TODAY I THINK IT CAME TOGETHER IN THE WAY THAT I WAS HOPING THAT IT WOULD.

SO I'M HAPPY.

>> IS THIS IT FOR YOU?

>> YES.

I AM FOR NOW.

THIS PROJECT IS FINISHED TODAY.

WHO KNOWS IN THE FUTURE?

WE SHALL SEE.

>> AFTER I HEARD THAT I WAS GOING TO GET ANOTHER SHOT AT DOING THE SONG, I WAS RELIEVED BEYOND BELIEF.

I WAS JUST LIKE, YES!

THANK GOD!

>> KATIE RALLIED THE STUDENT MUSICIANS FILIPO ALL OF US FOUND THE TIME WHEN WE COULD GATHER AGAIN TO GIVE TAJ THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM.

>> I'M GOING TO BE SINGING IN FRONT OF MY MOM AND DAD.

MY BROTHER.

VERY EXCITED.

ESPECIALLY THE CHURCH.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT DOING IT IN THE CHURCH.

[SINGING] >> BEING A PART OF THIS OPERA THING HAS BEEN A BLAST.

I FEEL LIKE ALL OF THE REHEARSALS, ALL OF THE RUN-THROUGHS WITH FILIPO HAVE ALL PAID OFF FOR THIS MOMENT.

[APPLAUSE] >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

I'M SO GLAD WE GOT TO THE DO IT.

>> NEXT YEAR I'M GOING OFF TO COLLEGE.

I WANT TO STUDY ACTING WHEN I'M OLDER.

AND THE THING I LOVE MOST ABOUT ACTING IS THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO DROP WHO YOU ARE.

YOU CAN BE YOURSELF BUT AT THE TAME SAME YOU'RE BEING SOMEONE ELSE ENTIRELY.

YOU CAN BE WHOEVER YOU WANT TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.

I WANT TO BE IN THE BIG LEAGUES.

>> WE ALL ARE INTERESTED IN RECOGNITION, RIGHT?

WE ALL DON'T MIND IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT YOU'RE GOOD.

BUT TRUTHFULLY I'M DOING THIS JOB FOR THE MUSIC.

>> YOU'RE ACTUALLY A CONDUCTOR.

>> I AM ACTUALLY A CONDUCTOR.

>> I GUESS I HAVE THE TRADITIONAL DREAMS THAT A CONDUCTOR WOULD HAVE, THE LIFE OF A GYPSY BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS WANDERING BUT THERE IS SOMETHING VERY BEAUTIFUL IN THAT.

I THINK POETIC.

>> TALK ABOUT YOUR STARTING OUT WHAT YOUR DREAMS WERE.

WAS IT ALWAYS TO TEACH?

>> NO, I WANTED TO BE A ROCK STAR!

[LAUGHTER] I WANTED TO BE LIKE PART OF A ROCK BAND.

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT I WAS HEADED FOR THEN IT SWITCHED TO OPERA, WHICH IS EQUALLY EXCITED IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE OPERA IS LIKE ROCK BANDS BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

I ALWAYS LIKED OPERA.

JUST ON A PERSONAL LEVEL I LOVE HOW I FEEL WHEN I'M SINGING IT.

I LOVE THE FEELING THAT I CAN CREATE SONGS IN MY VOICE WITHOUT A MICROPHONE, JUST DO THE BREATH SUPPORT AND PLACEMENT.

I WENT ON TO PURSUE A CAREER IN OPERA PERFORMANCE THEN SWITCHED TO EDUCATION HALFWAY THROUGH FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

TAKES A THICK SKIN TO MAKE IT IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

YOU HAVE TO BE TOUGH.

I'M SENSITIVE, SO I SWITCHED TO EDUCATION.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE WORKING WITH STUDENTS.

>> ALL OF US ARE ARTISTS.

KIDS KNOWING THAT'S WHERE I BEGAN IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND MAYBE PLAN THE SAME IN THEIR LIVES, START ON ONE PATH AND PIVOT BUT YOU ARE STILL THAT PERSON THAT WAS PURSUING THAT CAREER.

>> VERMONT PUBLIC, PARTNERING WITH LOCAL FILMMAKERS TO BRING YOU STORIES MADE HERE.

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