Six Carmens Later & Putting On Productions with Olga Perez Flora and Anna Garcia

What do disco naps, pantsuits, and chili preferences have to do with life at the opera? If you're new to the art form in general and Key Change specifically, welcome! And don't worry, all will be revealed. To our returning fans, a hearty welcome back! We're excited to share another season and a fresh focus with you. Back to that opening inquiry... "I was thinking it would be really great if we did a lightning round together where we got to know a little bit more about each other and about what's coming up this season," explains Olga, making her official debut as Key Change co-host, alongside three-season veteran Anna Garcia. Their answers reveal a lesser-known fact about opera: it's more approachable and playful than newcomers might think.  This season, we're pulling back the curtain further on accessibility via Santa Fe Opera's brand new partnership with the University of New Mexico Department of Music. But we haven't abandoned new works or the original mission of Opera For All Voices (the initiative that launched this podcast). Instead, Key Change is momentarily adjusting its spotlight to focus on the development and evolution of new voices. "I've loved learning about the process of the artists, teams, our community members, our teaching artists, and administrative staff," says Anna of this season. "Everybody has their origin story, and I think our audience really wants to hear that aspect. It's kind of like the backstage of opera." Change is key, as we like to say. We're glad you're along for the ride.  "CATCHING UP ON KEY CHANGE" RECOMMENDED PLAYLIST Season 1 Episode 1: Setting the Stage: New beginnings, heightened expectations, the heart of opera, and the Santa Fe of it Episode 5: Other Duties As Assigned: The role of education & community outreach in opera companies  Season 4 Episode 6: A Day in the Life Before a World Premiere Episode 7: Telling Hard Truths Episode 8: Hometown to the World Debuts on Broadway Season 5 Episode 3: Harmony in Process: The Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera with Amy "Process" Owens  Episode 8: An Opportunity to Encounter Excellence (and Big News!)  *** Key Change is a production of The Santa Fe Opera, Department of Community Engagement & Education. Share your favorite opera moments and questions with Community Engagement: [email protected] Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Anna Garcia & Olga Perez Flora Audio Engineering: Collin Ungerleider & Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe Technical Director: Edwin R. Ruiz Production Support from Alex Riegler Show Notes by Lisa Widder Theme music by Rene Orth with Corrie Stallings, mezzo-soprano, and Joe Becktell, cello Cover art by Dylan Crouch This podcast is made possible due to the generous support of the Hankins Foundation, Principal Education Sponsor of the Santa Fe Opera. To learn more, visit SantaFeOpera.org/KeyChange.