Professional Development
National Educator Conference
Each season, the Met’s National Educator Conference brings together teachers and administrators from across the United States for an intensive professional development experience. Through workshops, keynotes, and conversations with opera stars and members of the Met’s creative teams, the conference helps educators identify and cultivate strategies for incorporating opera into their classrooms.
This year’s conference, “A Story for Every Student,” takes place on October 10-13, 2023, in New York City. Over the course of four days, teachers will visit participate in hands-on workshops exploring Bunraku-style puppetry in Madama Butterfly and musical exoticism in Carmen; explore key cultural landmarks like the Shabazz Center and American Museum of Natural History; learn the ins and outs of Met Opera on Demand; attend two Met performances; and brainstorm strategies for bringing HD Live in Schools to their communities. We welcome back actress and podcaster Susan Blackwell as conference moderator, as well as a roster of special guests from the Met and beyond. Attendees also have the opportunity to learn, rehearse, and perform an original arrangement of the “Humming Chorus” from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
Participating districts are invited to send one educator, all expenses paid, to attend the conference. Additional district representatives are welcome to participate.
Virtual Educator Conferences
Following the annual National Educator Conference, Met Opera Education hosts virtual conferences throughout the school year for those who unable to attend the national conference in person, as well as teachers preparing for upcoming HD Live in School broadcasts. These meetings engage Met artists, academics, and educators from around the globe. In addition to serving our HD Live in Schools core community of educators, they have been attended by teachers and opera lovers from 40+ countries on six continents. Register for this season’s series of virtual conferences below!
Thursday, January 11, 2024 | 6:30-8:30PM ET
Exploring Carmen
Hosted on Zoom; featuring a lecture with scholar Mark Pottinger (Manhattan College), interview with mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina, and workshop with educator Emily Sáenz (Fort Worth, TX)
Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 2-4PM ET
Exploring Madama Butterfly
Hosted on Zoom; guest speakers and detailed schedule be be announced.
