Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

A spring PCC Community Ed class takes a dramatic turn for the best

Story by James Hill. Photos by Alexis Hamilton.

If you like your classes full of drama, then Portland Community College has a course for you.

Opera has long been regarded as an art form steeped in tradition, elegance and high culture. But for many, it remains an intimidating world, shrouded in mystery and exclusivity. Enter Alexis Hamilton, manager of education and community engagement at Portland Opera, and Miriam Budner, community education coordinator at PCC. Together, they have created “Opera for Everyone: Falstaff,” a non-credit course designed to make opera approachable, enjoyable, and accessible to all.

At its core, “Opera for Everyone” is an invitation to experience the passion, drama and grandeur of opera in an inclusive and engaging way. The course provides an opportunity to explore Verdi’s “Falstaff”—a lively and comedic opera—through an interactive lecture, a backstage tour, and attendance at a student dress rehearsal.

“Our goal is to invite people to arts experiences who might otherwise be intimidated by lack of knowledge, experience, or companionship,” said Budner.

A Whirlwind Tour of Opera

The program is a natural extension of PCC’s Community Education initiative, which enrolls over 25,000 non-credit students annually in a variety of courses, from arts and music to wellness and languages. Hamilton, a trained mezzo-soprano with over 30 years of experience in opera education and performance, is leading the course with her signature enthusiasm and depth of knowledge.

“Do you yearn for an evening of passion with no regrets in the morning? Do you like music? Stories? Emotional truths and catharsis?” Hamilton said. “Then you might be ‘Opera Curious’.”

Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, the class explores opera’s history and conventions, taking students on a whirlwind tour of the art form before immersing them in the magic of “Falstaff.” The story follows the scheming rogue Sir John Falstaff, who attempts to woo two married women for financial gain—only to be outwitted by their clever retaliation.

One of Hamilton’s primary missions is to dismantle the stereotypes surrounding opera. 

“Often, what we think of as opera stems from cartoons or advertisements featuring a fat lady in a breastplate and horns,” she said. “But opera is anything but stodgy. It’s about our most basic emotions writ large. The situations are emotionally intense and potent—otherwise, why sing about them?”

Hamilton’s passion for accessibility is evident. With over two decades at Portland Opera, she has worked tirelessly to introduce audiences of all ages to the art form, from preschoolers and developmentally disabled adults to lifelong learners seeking a new cultural experience.

A Behind-the-Scenes Experience

The three-part class includes:

• May 1: A multimedia lecture at PCC’s Southeast Campus.
• May 8: A backstage tour at the Keller Auditorium, followed by the “Falstaff” student dress rehearsal.
• May 15: A post-performance discussion at the Southeast Campus.

Through this class structure, Hamilton emphasizes the power of experiencing opera firsthand and discussing the whats and whys of the production. She added, “Opera is wonderfully cathartic and continues to give upon multiple viewings. The human voice is a distinctly powerful instrument that connects with people on a visceral level.”

Hamilton and Budner hope that “Opera for Everyone” will become a recurring offering, potentially linked to future opera productions. Their ultimate goal is to encourage more people to step into the world of opera—whether for the first time or as a rediscovery.

“I think many people don’t know they need opera in their life,” Hamilton said. “In a time of constant distractions, opera demands our attention and rewards us with profound emotional and artistic experiences.”

Registration opens March 5 for PCC’s Community Ed classes. In addition to opera, spring term classes include, “Strength Training for Seniors,” to promote healthy living and “Local Adventures,” which takes students on shorter excursions to explore the region though a fun activity.

To view spring class offerings and register, visit www.pcc.edu/community.