Opera Idaho Youth 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

Please contact BrieAnne at brieanne@operaidaho.org to set up a time and date.

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 fill out the form above to sign up without choosing an audition time.

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, 4:30 pm to 5:30 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, 5:45 pm to 7:00 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.

* 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 BrieAnne at brieanne@operaidaho.org for more information.

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

Director of Children's Choruses

BrieAnne Welch Prestwich has 20 years of teaching experience with both bands and choirs. She loves to integrate music theory, history, and performance practice, tailored to diverse learning styles and age groups in the classroom. BrieAnne has conducted groups ranging from elementary school through college, as well as community ensembles. With a strong background in both performance and pedagogy, she is passionate about fostering a love for music while helping students develop technical skills, creativity, and confidence. Her approach to teaching blends structured skill-building with opportunities for self-expression, whether through ensemble work, solo performance, or creative learning. Beyond technical instruction, BrieAnne strives to create an inclusive and inspiring classroom environment where every student feels valued. She believes music education is not just about mastering notes, but about cultivating discipline, collaboration, personal growth, sense of community, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Outside of the classroom, BrieAnne is an active member of Opera Idaho’s Resident Artists, and regularly performs throughout the Treasure Valley with Boise Baroque, Hymns of Thanksgiving, Gemma Arts, and Canyon County Symphony. You have seen her most recently as the snake charmer in Thaїs! She also is Co-owner of Gemma Arts, where she supports local artists to actualize their projects and creates performing opportunities at the Warehouse, Opera By the River, Let’s Make an Opera, Messiah Sing A-long concerts, and so much more. BrieAnne has also performed with Sacramento Opera, Sacramento Philharmonic, Rio Honda Symphony, New Voice Festival, Narni Vocal Festival, International Lyric Academy, and debuted new works throughout the west coast.

BrieAnne graduated from Sacramento State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Bass Clarinet and Vocal Performance, followed by a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance. BrieAnne then taught at Sierra College and the Art Institute Sacramento teaching voice classes and music history for eight years. During that time, she had a thriving vocal and clarinet studio at One Eleven Studios in Rocklin, CA. She also taught band and choir for San Juan Unified School District. BrieAnne and her family moved to the Treasure Valley eight years ago. She absolutely loves Idaho, the community, and being close to family. BrieAnne has a thriving vocal studio in South Meridian, where she and her husband are raising their four boys.

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.