In its 2008-2009 season, SFNM launched a robust youth education initiative with the production of the youth opera, "The Language of Birds," written by John Kennedy with libretto by Peter Krask. This project featured a cast of 80 youth aged 4-19, a majority being underserved youth. Cast received a transformative experience of arts mastery and self-fulfillment. The program was tuition-free, to ensure participation regardless of financial ability; over half the cast requested a waiver of the modest $50 materials fee. Pairing with Turquoise Trail Charter School engaged 400+ elementary students creating artworks, many of which were utilized in the production at the Lensic, and exhibited at the school, and at a downtown Santa Fe gallery. SFNM targeted music, science, English, and social studies teachers statewide through its "Bird Blog," linking the avian theme to interdisciplinary curricula. Score parts are posted to the blog for music teachers to learn with their classes. Performance DVDs were distributed to nearly 30 schools around the state.

The premiere presentations of The Language of Birds were extremely well received. There will be video and audio clips, review snippets, and DVD ordering information on this website in the near future.

The response to the performances and interest in continuing SFNM's youth opera project remains high. Please contact us if you'd like to get involved in future productions, or to receive information about our youth outreach projects in general.