Children’s Choruses

Opera Idaho’s children’s programs are designed to encourage acceptance, appreciation and enjoyment of opera in young people. Founded by Linda Eustice Berg, the programs hope to enable students to experience a live opera performance first hand with professional singers, and acquaint students with opera terminology, history and the lives of great opera composers. Opera Idaho’s programs also introduce students to the significance of theater, set, and costume design in opera.

The Opera Idaho Children’s Choruses program provides learning and performing experiences in classic repertoire, and encourages healthy vocal technique for children through membership in a vocal ensemble. Musical education objectives are accomplished through weekly rehearsal sessions and performances through the year. Performances range from choral concerts to appearing in Opera Idaho, Ballet Idaho, and Boise Philharmonic performances as well as other venues throughout the Treasure Valley.

Auditions

August 26, 2025, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
September 2, 2025, 4:00 – 6:00 pm

To schedule an audition, contact Kerry at kerry@operaidaho.org.

Kinder Chorus

ages 4 to 1st grade*
Mondays, 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm
Tuition: $225 per year

No audition is required for our Kinder Chorus! If your little one loves to sing and is ready to explore the world of music, simply contact Kerry at the email above to sign up.

Is your child ready for Kinder Chorus?
Our program is designed for young singers who are eager to participate in a fun, supportive environment. Key readiness milestones include:

Responding to their name and following simple directions.
Staying engaged for about 10 minutes.
Using the bathroom independently.
Sharing, taking turns, and interacting well with others.
Communicating in complete sentences.
Separating from a parent or caregiver without distress.

Angelus Chorus

2nd to 5th grades*
Tuesday, 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm
Tuition: $275 per year

Our Angelus Chorus is for children excited to develop their musical abilities! Auditions are simple and help us get to know your child’s voice.

Audition Details:

Sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” in three different keys.
Echo clapping (we clap a rhythm, they clap it back).
These activities allow us to assess vocal range, pitch recognition, and rhythm skills.

Excelsior Chorus

6th to 12th grades*
Tuesday, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm
Tuition: $325 per year

For older singers ready to refine their vocal skills, Excelsior Chorus offers a more advanced choral experience. Auditions are a great way for us to understand each singer’s voice and abilities.

Audition Details:

Sing “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee). If your child does not know this piece, they can sing a song they have performed a capella (or bring sheet music for the director to play). They can even sing “Happy
Birthday.”
Vocal range check.
Tonal memory exercises (repeat notes back after hearing them).
Rhythmic reading from flashcards.
Sing a round together with the director.5

* age and grades are only a guideline based on individual child’s readiness.

If your child has already been accepted, pay tuition below. There is a 10% discount if you pay for the full year, and 15% discount if you are enrolling more than one child.

Tuition must by paid by September 30 for the first semester or full year, or February 28 for the second semester.

Financial assistance available. Please contact Kerry at kerry@operaidaho.org for more information.

If you are having trouble paying online, please contact Krista at 208-345-3531 ext 1.

Director of Children's Choruses

Kerry Calverley has been working with children’s and youth choirs of all levels for 30 years. Most recently, Kerry was the director of choirs at East Junior High School in the Boise School District. In the Boise area, she has been a children’s choir director at Trinity Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church, also co-directing musical theater productions for the singers in these programs. Previously, while living in Ukiah, California, Kerry created and implemented the Ukiah Community Children’s Chorus while also leading a K-8 music program at St. Mary’s of the Angels School and teaching music classes for Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education (SPACE).

Kerry also taught in Lodi, California at Bear Creek High School and at John Muir Elementary, leading choirs at both levels and locations. Kerry is a graduate of California State University-Fresno where she has a degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance, also previously studying with a similar double-major at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. Kerry has been involved in various opera workshops, including starring in Menotti’s The Telephone and a Rhinemaiden in Wagner’s Das Rheingold, as well as leading roles in Wiz, Grease and also performing in L’il Abner and The Music Man. Kerry is a member of the Idaho Chapter American Choral Directors Association as well as the Idaho Music Education Association. Kerry has also served as an accompanist for various performing groups through the years. Kerry studied voice with Ruth Stephenson at Nebraska Wesleyan University and then studies Bel Canto singing with the late Helene Joseph-Wil at California State University-Fresno.

Kerry is married to Steve and has 2 daughters. Allison (who sang in Opera Idaho’s Children’s Choruses ) and Kate. Kerry also worked in real estate business for 20 years, mostly doing business in the Treasure Valley, but has also worked on development project sin East Boise and Priest Lake, ID.

Assistant Director of Children's Choruses

Melinda Harper is thrilled to join Opera Idaho as a Resident Artist and an Associate Director of Children’s Choruses, specifically for Kinder Chorus. Melinda has a love for early childhood music education, and she currently teaches Kindergarten through 2nd grade music at Idaho Arts Charter School in Nampa, ID.

Melinda earned a Bachelor of Music in Elementary Music Education from Brigham Young University in 2019 and a Master of Music Education from Wichita State University in 2024. Melinda is also a Level III certified Kodály music educator through the Organization of American Kodály Educators.

Melinda also has experience as a performer in choirs and operas. She sang in the Brigham Young University Women’s Chorus and Concert Choir. She sang with the Utah Symphony Chorus for two seasons. She also performed with the Utah Symphony Chorus in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 at the Grand Teton Music Festival. Her opera roles include Second Witch in Dido and Aeneas (BYU Opera Theater) and Schwertleite in Die Walküre (Manhattan Opera Studio). Melinda sang in the chorus for Theodora, Die Zauberflöte, and L’elisir d’amore with BYU Opera Theater. She also performed in the chorus for Candide with Wichita Grand Opera and in the chorus for La Traviata, Suor Angelica, and Sweeney Todd with Opera Idaho.