Arizona Opera receives AAERI grant award

Arizona Opera receives AAERI grant award

July 23, 1997

Arizona Opera is pleased to announce the receipt of a research grant from the Arizona Arts Education Research Institute (AAERI). AAERI is a partnership among the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the Arizona Department of Education, and the Fine Arts Colleges of Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. The goal of Arizona Opera's project is to develop an opera education teacher guide and assessment instruments for use in teaching grades 1-5. The project will aim to serve as a model opera education curriculum for schools and performing arts organizations on a state and national level, and will include classroom introductions to opera through performance, as well as other educational opportunities. This collaborative effort among specialists in opera, research, and education will be focused upon designing materials to meet the educational needs of all students.

The research team will consist of Dr. Margaret Reber, Arizona Opera; Dr. Sandra Stauffer, Arizona State University; Professor Dale Dreyfoos, Arizona State University; and elementary educators from the Thomas J. Pappas School for homeless children and the Tempe, Roosevelt and Kyrene school districts. Dr. Margaret Reber, Education Coordinator at Arizona Opera remarked, "It is an honor to collaborate with such distinguished researchers. Dr. Stauffer is a nationally recognized music educator specializing in arts curricula for elementary grades, and Professor Dreyfoos has extensive experience in both opera education and performance. I look forward to working with them in conjunction with professional educators in Maricopa County to develop a teacher guide and assessment tools that are effective, affordable, and reinforce the validity and importance of arts education as an integral part of any school curriculum. The results of our research could provide a valuable resource for other schools and performing arts organizations."

AAERI grants are competitively awarded by a panel comprised of out-of-state arts education researchers and in-state educators. The grant signifies Arizona Opera's commitment to education and community service through research and artistic performances of the highest quality.

Partial funding provided by the Arizona Commission on the Arts through appropriations from the Arizona State Legislature and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Supported by the Arizona Arts Education Research Institute (AAERI), a partnership of the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona Department of Education, and the Fine Arts Colleges of Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona to support teacher/researcher collaborations that strength the design and implementation of arts education research.

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Arizona Opera receives AAERI grant award