Dana Opper

As a child, I came to the understanding and knowledge of being separated from God due to my sinful nature. As a result, I accepted God's gift of Jesus Christ dying on the cross as a substitute for my sins. I am presently active in the church I attend and serve in the areas of music and children. My love for teaching led me to homeschool my own two children and eventually teach classes at the DasCHE co-op. Before that, I taught music in the Arlington Public School District and have had many years of experience in directing choirs and musicals through church and school programs. In May 2009, I completed a Masters of Liberal Arts with an emphasis on History. I have taught classes at the co-op since 2004.

I have been teaching Show Tunes classes since 2004. “Flapper” made its debut in 2005 as the very first show with only 27 students from 7th through 12th grade. With growing interest, Show Tunes Jr. was created the next year for 4th-8th grade. That same year Music Makers showcased their first performance. The demand continued to grow and that is when Show Kids became its own group of 4th-6th graders and had their first performance in 2013. My primary objective in creating the very first class was for my own children to experience and enjoy musical theater. I never fathomed what God had in store for the future during those early years climbing into grocery store dumpsters to retrieve boxes used for set pieces, saving costs on costumes by gluing fringe on dresses, or borrowing a church spotlight for lights! We have grown so much and this year is coming full circle as I have the joy of teaching grand students.