By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts has since 1973 provided opportunities for growth and training for young artists. Although based in New Orleans, NOCCA’s many programs are open to high school students throughout the state.

NOCCA’s upcoming production, “A Taste of Opera,” features three young adults from the River Parishes.

Jordyn Keller, a senior at St. Charles Catholic High School, has been involved with NOCCA for four years, and next weekend’s show marks her final performance with the school.

“This is it for us,” she said, referring to herself and the many friends she has made over the years. “We’ll have fun, but it will be sad when it’s over.”

Keller, who is not only starring in the production but assistant directing as well, has a lot riding on her young shoulders.

“I, in particular, am quite sweating it,” she said.

Luckily, the poise and confidence she has gained with NOCCA has prepared her for the responsibility.

“I can’t even tell you how valuable this place has been,” said Keller. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Keller’s two River Parishes cohorts in the production, Dean Wray and Vivian Buchanan, have a little less invested in the show, but the two Destrehan High School sophomores share Keller’s enthusiasm.

Wray called the institution his “home away from home,” adding, “It allows me to focus on the thing I most love.”

Buchanan also extolled NOCCA’s virtues, saying she progressed more during one summer program than she had with six years of outside voice lessons.

All three agreed one of the biggest assets of attending NOCCA is the support the students receive.

“They want you to succeed,” said Wray.

Although the amount of time each of the three has been enrolled in NOCCA varies, each seems to share a passion for their individual crafts.

Wray, who has been involved in the talented theater program since the fifth grade and is the only one of the three not in the vocal program at NOCCA, said he tried other extra-curricular activities, but theater has been his only steadfast interest.

Keller and Buchanan each have been singing in one form or another since their younger years.

“I remember when I was 6 trying to sing opera,” said Buchanan.

Keller’s love of singing began at a similarly young age but from a different source.

“Ever since I was little, Disney movies. That was it,” she said. Since then, her musical tastes have become somewhat more refined. “I completely fell in love with opera.”

What they also share is a desire to take their passion beyond the high school years.

Keller has already applied to universities and plans to study music wherever she lands. Wray and Buchanan have a little more time to think about the future, but both plan to pursue studies related to the arts. Buchanan, however, recognized the struggle of trying to make a career in the theater.

“Stability is also a real important factor,” she said.

Whatever they choose to do in life, each said they have the full support of their respective parents.

“They should get a medal of honor,” said Wray.

The students, too, should get some praise for the effort they put into both their craft and their regular studies. Each maintains a load of AP or honors classes, despite spending half of each day at the New Orleans arts school.

“You really have to want it, but I survived,” said Keller.

Despite the tremendous amount of work required to pull off this juggling act, on opening night it will all have been worth it they said.

As Wray noted, “It’s magic.”

Performances of “A Taste of Opera” will be Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at NOCCA’s Lupin Hall, 2800 Chartres St. in New Orleans. Although the show is free and open to the public, a $5 donation is suggested. For more information visit www.nocca.com.