Let's Solve a Magic Music Mystery!
Enjoy a video preview (right) and explore the learning guides below. Teaching artists are available for LIVE video instruction sessions to accompany each video.
This learning series requires that you obtain a license to view/download content. If you'd like to purchase a license to download the full available content or to discuss creating a custom learning series for your students, please contact VirtualClassroom@MetGuild.org or use the link below.



Video One:
Uncovering the Chorus
This first lesson introduces us to the two basic parts of a song - the verse and chorus. We will also study poetic devices such as repetition and rhyme, and how they are used to transform text into lyrics. Ms. Hanzlik also introduces us to the song we'll be learning to perform: "We Are" by Jon Batiste.
Video 1 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 1 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 5
CCSS. ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.5
Video Two:
Unveiling the Verse
We continue to learn about how our singing voices work. Ms. Hanzlik will remind us of some things we can do to help our singing sounds improve - and we will learn about how and low pitches.
Additionally, we will continue our study of song structure by examining the VERSE of our verse/chorus structure.
Video 2 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 2 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 5
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.5
Video Three:
Bridging Batiste
This episode is all about connecting the pieces of our song structure. We will learn what a bridge is in song structure, and how a bridge is a separate part that connects other pieces like the verse and chorus.
We will learn how to make rhythm "fruit salad," and we will also learn more about our songwriter, Jon Batiste, and finally solve the name of our mystery song!
Video 3 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 3 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 5
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.5
Video Four:
Exporing Emotions
This fourth episode in our series is all about Emotions. We will examine the text to our song and identify words/phrases that may have a non-literal meaning. Then, we will look at stressed and unstressed syllables and how they relate to the strong beats in our song. We will also practice identifying characters representing certain emotions by playing "Sort the Scene!" We'll use our Mood Meter to identify what emotion we see in our scene. THEN, we will brainstorm about how we can flip the scene for a different outcome.
Video 4 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 4 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 4
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.4
Video Five:
Putting it all Together
Let's put everything together!
Video 5 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 5 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED S&L Standard 2
...CCSS.SL.2
Additional Information: (any additional/supplemental information related to this post will appear below)
Gina Hanzlik, Teaching Artist
Performing with an “aplomb rarely seen” (Le Devoir) and “a voice that is both brilliant in technique and deep in expressiveness” (Ludwig van Montreal) soprano Gina Hanzlik is known for her deep commitment to character and delivery. She has performed with Opera McGill, Tapestry Opera, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Michigan Opera Theater, McGill Symphony Orchestra, Société d'art vocal de Montréal, and regularly premiers work for various composers and chamber ensembles in the US and Canada. Gina is a formally trained educator with a decade of experience teaching children and young adults. She is a Teaching Artist for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and regularly presents groups sessions at music festivals across the US. Gina is a Teach for America Alumni and holds a Masters of Education in Urban Pedagogy from the University of Michigan, as well as music degrees from McGill University and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.


Back to Top
The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Inc.
70 Lincoln Center Plaza, 6th Floor
New York, NY. 10023