With the assistance of Native-American coordinators and leaders from local pueblos and reservations, The Guilds of the Santa Fe OperaÌs Pueblo Opera Program is expanding cross-cultural awareness, dispelling opera misconceptions and reciprocating pueblo hospitality through music, dance and drama. "There is an important sharing of Native-American traditions and operatic traditions," says Education and Outreach Coordinator Andrea Fellows. The Pueblo Opera Program engages children in creating and producing an original opera. The semester-long Program meets 8 hours per week at local schools and then moves to the Santa Fe Opera for rehearsals. Santa Fe Opera artists serve as mentors to the participants by helping them develop the story, libretto and music and by coaching them at rehearsals. The young opera singers perform for their schools and communities and bring their production to the Santa Fe Opera open house, as well. "Many of the same children return year after year and later work as Pueblo Opera Program coordinators in their communities," says Fellows. The Guilds of the Santa Fe Opera also runs a teacher training program.