Opera at Your School - Phoenix
Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid
Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Program
Music by Antonín Dvořák
Adapted by Joshua Borths
Based on Han Christian Anderson's classic fairytale The Little Mermaid and composer Antonín Dvořák’s masterpiece, Rusalka
Take your students on an unforgettable underwater adventure! Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid is a magical, student-friendly opera about courage, transformation, and following your dreams. With a happy ending and timeless message, this enchanting performance is perfect for sparking young imaginations and inspiring classroom conversations.
The Details
We can't wait to visit your school! Arizona Opera's OperaTunity program travels to your school performing all-school assembly style adapated mini-opera's for your students.
Number of Shows: You may reserve up to two performances on the same or different days (exceptions can be made)
Show Length: 45-minutes including a 10 min Q&A session
Language: English
Grades: K-6
Rating: G
Cost: Free for Title 1 Schools, $400 for one performance or $600 for two for Non-Title 1 Schools
Location Requirements:Gym, Cafeteria, Stage, Performing Arts Center, or other venue at your school.
Location Size: 20ft wide, 20ft deep, 9ft tall
Provided Materials: Teacher Resource Guide and Lesson Plans
Load in and Load Out time needed: 30min
HOW TO REGISTER
- Find your schools zip code and corresponding color on the map.
- Click your color below to schedule.
- If your zip code is in blue email kzeimet@azopera.org to schedule.
If you encounter any issues accessing the links above due to school filters, please use the corresponding registration links below or contact Kayla Zeimet, Education and External Affairs Coordinator, at kzeimet@azopera.org.
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Jaqueline Alcocer, rusalka
Dramatic soprano Jaqueline Alcocer received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Northern Arizona University. There she sang the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Signora Nacarelli in Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza, and Lady Billows in Britten’s Albert Herring. As a mezzo-soprano undergraduate, she sang Dinah in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and Mother Bayard in Hindemith’s A Long Christmas Dinner. At Chandler-Gilbert Community College she began performing musical theater roles such as, Sour Kangaroo (Seussical), Mama Noah (Children of Eden), and Marmee (Little Women).
In the fall of 2021, she performed in Munich, Germany, as a winner of the annual Hidalgo Festival. Recently she sang Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with Arizona Lyric Theatre. Upcoming engagements include covering the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with Valley Opera and singing with the Arizona Opera Chorus in Madama Butterfly.
Brooke Leinbaugh, Rusalka's Sister/Prince's Sister
Brooke Leinbaugh is a soprano from Michigan pursuing a Master’s Degree in Opera Performance from Arizona State University. Brooke graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Michigan University in 2023 with two Bachelor’s Degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Music Education. While at Western, Brooke performed multiple leading roles, including Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Susanna in Il segreto di Susanna, and was the winner of Western Michigan University's Concerto Competition in 2022.
Since attending ASU, Brooke has performed various roles in multiple productions both at ASU and with the Arizona Opera and is a recent winner of the Cal-Western Regional NATS competition. Brooke is beyond excited to participate in this year’s OperaTunity production as Rusalka’s sister/Prince’s sister!
Rachael Bastien, Sea Witch
Rachael Bastien (mezzo-soprano) has enjoyed a wide-ranging career across the U.S. and abroad, performing opera, musical theatre, and concert repertoire with equal passion. After a decade in New York City performing, coaching, and directing—and earning her graduate degree from the Manhattan School of Music—she is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Phoenix, where she continues to balance an active performing career with her work as an educator and musical director.
Since 2019, Rachael has served on the Voice and Music faculty at Phoenix College and maintains a vibrant private voice studio, The Joyful Voice Collective, dedicated to empowering singers of all backgrounds. Upcoming engagements include joining Arizona Opera’s OperaTunity Educational Outreach Program in 2026 as the Sea Witch and performing as a soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Phoenix College Choirs
Joshua Borths, Writer (operaclassroom.com)
Joshua Borths is a stage director, writer, educator, and administrator with over a decade of experience in the opera industry.
Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Borths currently works with Des Moines Metro Opera and Virginia opera after having served as the Director of Opera & Musical Theater and Professor of Music History at Capital University in Columbus, OH and as Director of Education at Arizona Opera. His children's opera adaptations have been seen by hundreds of thousands of students across the country, and he is a frequent guest lecturer.
At Capital University, Borths produced and managed all of the opera and musical theatre programming while also serving as the Professor of Music History. Additionally, he created a joint Resident Artist Program with Opera Columbus creating innovative programming for both institutions. With Arizona Opera, Borths more than doubled the reach and scope of the department through innovative programming and cultural engagement.
As an educator, Borths has taught at Shenandoah University, been a Visiting Professor at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), directed Maryland Opera Studio, and been guest panelist at the Opera America Conference. He collaborated with TED Ed on their first opera resources and was featured in Opera News for his innovative approach to opera education.
