KCOI has explained that its mission is twofold: to provide young opera singers in Kansas City a tuition-free opportunity to perform in leading roles during the summer and to provide the greater Kansas City community with quality, free performances in a new venue. It hopes to attract not only opera lovers, but also segments of the population who have no previous experience with the art form. The program of scenes and short one act operas in 20th and 21st century settings will attempt to be accessible to everyone and be included in performances that are casual, affordable, and modern.
The Kansas City Opera Institute was founded in February 2013 by a group of young opera singers looking for more performance opportunities at home. Unlike most other major US cities, Kansas City did not have a summer young artist festival and KCOI was created to fill that void.
General Director Matthew Scrivner states, "There are a great many talented young opera singers in the Kansas City area who have few opportunities to further their training or perform professionally without spending large sums of money or leaving the area entirely. We at the Kansas City Opera Institute aim to change both parts of that problem by providing training with area professionals and performance opportunities free of charge to participants and the public." The institute has engaged 20 local singers, all of whom have completed a bachelors degree in music but are under the age of 36. Stage directors are David Adams and Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins. Pianists for the performances are Ellen Bottorff and Andrew Stephens. Gene Cline is providing musical coaching and the Country Club United Methodist Church has donated rehearsal space.
Further information may be found at KCOI's website here.
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