A 50-minute folk opera designed for K-5 students that tells the powerful story of York—the enslaved man whose crucial contributions to the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery expedition have been largely overlooked in traditional history lessons.
Our cast of five professional singers takes students on a dynamic musical journey, blending operatic arias, jazz improvisation, soulful R&B, and contemporary hip hop. This genre-spanning approach introduces young audiences to diverse musical traditions while honoring York's legacy and experience.
The musical instrumentation includes banjo, acoustic, guitar and West African drums. This school-ready performance combines rich historical educational content with artistic excellence, sparking curiosity and meaningful classroom discussions about representation and untold stories in American history.