Giants! Serpents! Princesses! Gold! Magic! And Music! Opera artists introduce classic stories complete with singing and opera facts with the aid of music. After the musical storytelling and a brief choral coaching and singing session, the artist pulls props and costumes out, and the students participate in acting out the story and singing excerpts themselves. This program communicates a classic story, illustrates opera components and provides a creative drama and musical experience for young students.

Jennifer Ashworth and Kristen Jones have been working together creating opera for children in the Bay Area for eight years. They met on stage during a Lamplighters production and discovered their mutual love of opera and education. Working together for the San Francisco Opera Guild, they have written and continue to perform three operas for the Sing A Story program. Both women have degrees in Vocal Performance and are pursuing professional careers in the Bay Area. Jennifer is the director of the MAD Band, a middle school instrumental program that she began 12 years ago. Kristen has been teaching and directing children's arts, theater and music programs since 1995. Combining their love of music with sound educational principles, Presto! brings the thrill of performing opera to a new generation.