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but even more than the creative opportunities, ballard
says
, theater can be life-changing. ?all of these kids say that the theater is the first place where they feel they can be themselves and were accepted,? she
says
. ?that?s more important than ever.? learning to share the spotlight growing up next door to a dance studio, molly buchmann
says
ballet was a natural choice. but a visit to hear the baton rouge symphony orchestra was what sealed her interest in the arts. ?i was so taken by the live orchestra?that?s what really opened my eyes into wanting to know more,? she
says
. today, buchmann is the artistic director of baton rouge ballet theatre. retired from the lsu department of theater, she has choreographed over 50
music
als for professional and community theaters, and works hard to offer other young people the experiences she had. whether in youth ballet, summer intensives, or the annual nutcracker production, there are many ways kids can get involved. for children looking to dip their toes in, buchmann suggests the nutcracker: a tale from the bayou , a vibrant show that puts a louisiana cultural spin on the popular holiday juggernaut. children as young as eight can audition for roles as lambs, cherubs, and mice, for a performance that brings in 8,000 people per season. this year?s auditions will be held on sunday, september 29 at the dancer?s workshop. ?what they learn is invaluable,? buchmann
says
. ?other than becoming physically fit at a very athletic level, [ballet] teaches time management and responsibility?being a part of a team and understanding when you should have center stage, and when you shouldn?t.? with a 40-piece live orchestra, visual arts, choreography, acting, vibrant sets? the nutcracker is a wonderful window into the arts. ?it?s a great first chance for kids to say, ?wow. this is beautiful and the arts can be fun?,? buchmann
says
. the power of make-believe louisiana has long been known for its influence on
opera
in the u.s., with nearby new orleans boasting america?s first staged
opera
over 200 years ago. ?
opera
is meant to be for the people,?
says
opéra louisiane general director leanne clement. ?it was created as a way to take advantage of the power of the human voice?we all have it in common.? clement grew up in rural virginia, with little access to the arts. one day, an
opera
program visited her middle school. ?there were four singers on stage and they would take off their hats and become a different character, singing an aria from that
opera
,? she
says
. ?i remember that so vividly?before that, i didn?t have exposure to
opera
.? today, she pays it forward, overseeing similar outreach programs with opéra louisiane. one of the best ways to try the
opera
,
says
clement, is through the young people?s
opera
program, which this november presents rossini?s adaptation of the classic fairy tale cinderella . the performance includes colorful costumes, a live orchestra, and is translated to english. ?this is a great opportunity to expand your kids? minds, teach them about the power of make believe, and expose them to a beautiful
music
al experience,?
says
clement. children 10 and under are admitted free and all are encouraged to dress comfortably?even in costume. a decorated carriage adds to the enchanting experience. ?it?s make-believe,? she
says
. ?it?s the ultimate dressing-up game.? all about support rebecca bellelo wasn?t raised in a
music
al family. she got her start in piano when she was eight years old. ?it just clicked,? she
says
, ?so i kept going.? she went on to study
music
at delta state in mississippi, eventually pursuing a master?s, then a doctorate in
music
education and piano pedagogy from louisiana state university. ?i knew i always wanted
music
to be in my life,? she
says
. today, at 35, she leads a team of five
music
teachers, educating over 100 students and adults at piano pathways, a studio she started in 2011. piano students not only learn how to read
music
, they learn the trust and responsibility that comes with playing duets or in ensembles. they learn to improvise, and open their minds to all genres of
music
. most people think about piano lessons in the traditional format, with a teacher and a student in an hour-long lesson weekly, but bellelo also teaches popular group lessons during summer. ?kids get motivated by each other and learn from other kids, their peers,?
says
bellelo. ?they can offer something other than how i would teach.? whether they're playing the piano or picking up the guitar, studies show that children who study
music
out-perform their non-
music
peers in math skills. but what?s more? patience,
says
bellelo. ?the instant gratification thing is not there with
music
,? she
says
. ?
music
is a long- term endeavor so it may take years before your kids can play and read
music
, but there is a dedication, concentration, and focus that can carry over into a kid?s life.? debora schulze sees it in her son, adam, who, at 13, is entering his seventh year of piano lessons. ?
music
education teaches and trains students in the process of preparing for a performance? disciplines of practice, memorization, and the poise to perform in front of an audience,? she
says
. ?that process develops confidence and skills they can apply to other areas of learning and even their future career.? the key to a successful go at lessons? ?make it a priority. ask about your kids? lessons, ask the names of the songs they?re playing, and maybe hold a mini- recital at home,? bellelo
says
. ?it?s all about support.? ? from the lights going down to the set pieces changing?i felt like i could do anything, full of hope, like there was magic in the world.? ? 4 8 b r p a r e n t s . c o m | s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9
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