Eight Grosse Pointe Children in Michigan Opera 'Winter Fantasy'

DETROIT - The Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus presents its sixth-annual holiday concert and fundraiser on the main stage of the Detroit Opera House on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

The choir is a must-see performance for children who love music, and the perfect opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a cultural experience
at one of Detroit’s historical gems while supporting the appreciation of the arts in a new generation.

The MOTCC is a permanent ensemble of Michigan Opera Theatre, and appears with the company in main-stage productions as well as its own performances.

Eight children from Grosse Pointe are members of the children’s choir. They
include: John O’Dell, Colette Henry, Josie Monahan, Hayden Barry, Antonio Cipriano, Steffi Roche, Marcella Staricco,and Elizabeth Duus.

The concert features a variety of music, including folk songs, opera, and traditional holiday favorites. A silent auction and raffle begins at 2 p.m. and continues after the performance, with proceeds benefitting the chorus. The auction features numerous sought-after items, including Detroit Opera House box seats to Broadway shoes, an MIS Pure Michigan 400 Nascar Race VIP Package, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater tickets along with a restaurant, hotel and valet package at the Detroit Westin Book Cadillac, and more.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $15 for ages 16 and under, and free for children 4 and under. Tickets include the concert, strolling hors d’oeuvres, and dessert, and may be purchased in advance at www.michiganopera.org, or by calling (313)
237-SING. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The mission of the Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus is to provide exceptional choral music and theatrical performance instruction in a professional environment to young people. Offering a curriculum that embraces diverse cultures and traditions and a rich and extensive range of musical genres, the program seeks to instill personal and artistic excellence in its students.

Led by Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus Master Suzanne Mallare Acton , this permanent children’s choir is the only of its kind for Detroit-area children.

MOTCC has a main chorus of 50 children and a Preparatory Chorus consisting of 30 children. All children are from the local southeast Michigan area and range from ages 8-16. Children’s Chorus Assistant Director and Conductor Dianna Hochella, conducts the Principal Chorus and Annie Klark is the Preparatory Chorus conductor. The choir performs as a separate ensemble and with international opera stars in Michigan Opera Theatre productions. For more information on the MOTCC, visit www.motcc.org.

Michigan Opera Theatre, a non-profit organization, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and provides programs and services without regard to race, color,religion, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. Michigan Opera Theatre is supported by private donations, foundation and corporate grants, the State ofMichigan through the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal Agency.