HOA is able to launch its first complete season in over 20 years with two events and one special program. Many thanks to our generous donors, granting organizations, and collaborations between the Harrisburg Academy and the Silver Academy. Students participating in each of HOA's offerings gain academic credit. This entire season is dedicated to our past President, Frances Swartz, who passed away on May 26, 2026. We are working hard to continue to realize her dream of helping our community through world class events and philanthropic programs.

Opera in the Park 2026 - Battle of the Sexes!
Sunday August 16th 2026 at Italian Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA

Rain location at The Harrisburg Academy, 10 Erford Road, Wormleysburg, PA
Check our website, email and social media the morning of the concert if rain is in the forecast.

Sopranos vs. Tenors - Which party will win or will it be a draw...and why can't we just all get along?! It's orchestrated mayhem at this year's Opera in the Park with fourth wall breaking and scenery chewing! Making her debut with HOA is Broadway, television and film star Rachel York! Returning guest artists include Samia Bahu, Michael Cameron, David Gagnon, George Washington III, and the Metropolitan Opera's Raúl Melo. Core artists are Michael Gamon, Adam C J Klein, Greg Strohman and Tom Strohman with Tami Swartz directing. For all ages, with children especially encouraged, narration during the concert provides historical, musical and cultural information. And, as always, aloha/casual attire and picnicking are encouraged in this beautiful, nature filled setting. This event has been generously funded by Robert Bridgeman and Fischer Financial Services, Inc.



Visual Arts Program at the Harrisburg Academy
October 5th - 9th, 2026

HOA is pleased to partner with Jeff Copus, co-founder of Sprocket Mural Works - a nonprofit that collaborates with neighborhoods, artists, and organizations to create vibrant community murals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - and art teacher at the Harrisburg Academy, to originate what will eventually be a program that helps veterans with PTSD.

In 2019 Jeff came up with the idea of applying the concept of automatism to art classes where students paint to recorded music and explore their imaginations. These ongoing classes have been offered at the Harrisburg Academy for 7 years running. In a moment of parallel development, in 2019 our Artistic and Executive Director, Tami Swartz, had an idea with one of HOA's board members to develop a program where veterans would paint to an acting class for classical/musical theater singing actors and stage actors. The concept is to provide a way for veterans to process their emotions through an activity that would provide a safe space to do so and heal from their trauma. This program will demo with students at the Harrisburg Academy first where data will be gathered, and then eventually be launched to the Central PA VA community in the next couple of years. Many thanks to Jeff Copus and Michael Gamon, the Harrisburg Academy's Creative and Fine Arts Chair, for bringing this concept to fruition!

Students who participate in either the painting or performing side of this program receive academic credit. Professional artists will receive a stipend. When is the last time, as an artist, that you didn't have to pay for a master class?!

If you are interested in participating in the acting master class, please contact HOA at: info@harrisburg-opera.org The painting portion is covered by the participation of Harrisburg Academy students.

Artwork: Boats and Shells by Patricia Windrow

The Velveteen Rabbit - A New Children's Opera by Michael Gamon

HA and Silver Academy Student Body Performances on Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Public Performance on Sunday, October 25th, 2026 2 PM at The Harriburg Academy

Public Performance Ticket Information and Cast Announcements Coming Soon! :

The book you fell in love with is premiering as a charming children's opera. Composed by Michael Gamon, the Creative and Fine Arts Chair at the Harrisburg Academy and directed by Adam C J Klein, The Velveteen Rabbit get its world premiere at the Harrisburg Academy and the Silver Academy. Student body performances will occur on October 25th and a public performance will be on Sunday October 27th, 2026 at 2 PM at the Harrisburg Academy. This marks the first collaboration between HOA, the Harrisburg Academy and the Silver Academy.

As with all of HOA's productions, students who participate in all aspects of this production gain academic credit working with world class, professional artists and teaching artists. Audience members also enjoy an informative Q & A after each performance. Many thanks to Marina Cherepinsky, Director of Performing Arts and Interdisciplinary Curriculum at the Silver Academy, for bringing the talents of her students to our production.

For more information about the Harrisburg Academy please visit: www.harrisburgacademy.org
For more information about the Silver Academy please visit: silveracademypa.org

Artwork: Eastern Cottontail by Patricia Windrow

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