An especially memorable event during the EPIC 3X Reunion 2022 was the screening of the alumni-directed/ produced documentary Opera Kids (see Editor’s Note on the side) and the dedication of the Lower School Music Room, to honor the retirement of Mary Heveran, beloved Lower School Music Teacher.
“Mary” (as she is better known) announced earlier this year her June 2022 retirement from D-E after serving with both the Bede School and D-E’s Music Department faculty for an incredible 42 years.
The Reunion program held on Saturday, June 11 in Mary’s honor was designed to celebrate her incredible legacy, and was a meaningful experience for everyone in attendance. On display were plenty of 5th Grade Opera scripts, music scores, programs and memorabilia curated by Mary, her former and current students, families and friends. Together the archival items vividly displayed Mary’s dedicated commitment to presenting this Metropolitan Opera Guild program to decades of Lower School 5th graders.
Candid, personal stories about Mary were shared in a Hajjar Auditorium presentation by special visiting speakers, including alumnus and Opera Kids Co-Director Max Sturm ’05 and former Lower School Principal Kim Lewis P ’18, ’20. Then Mary had her own turn at the podium for her “final bow”; both laughter and tears ensued when she was presented with flowers and a commemorative photo book.
Many in attendance then proceeded to join Mary for a walk down the hill to Drapkin Hall, in order to officially dedicate the Lower School Music Room space to Mary and admire a new commemorative plaque featuring reflections about Mary from colleagues and artwork by Emma Lagana ’22. Room dedication comments were provided by John Littlefield, D-E Music Department Chair, and Dawn Lozada, D-E Director of Philanthropy, whose own daughter Justine Baker ’29 just recently performed in the 5th Grade Opera and has been now inspired to take voice lessons.
To paraphase the words of Mary’s former Bede School colleague Joan Sommers: “Every 5th Grade Opera production and Valentine’s Day Concert for the past 40 years has been graced by Mary’s signature and loving touch. When former students reminisce on their memories in Lower School, many rightfully think of Mary first. Mary not only built a home for herself at Dwight- Englewood, but she also built a home for others to enter––one that embraces joy and the music it brings. We humbly honor her dedication to D-E in the place where students will continue to learn to love music for generations to come.”
Editor’s Note: About Opera Kids
A celebration of “Creating Original Opera” — the Metropolitan Opera Guild program founded in 1979 — Opera Kids follows the journey of a fifth grade class creating an opera from scratch. Behind the scenes, the stakes could not feel higher, as students take their first collaborative steps — writing, composing, designing, staging, and acting out their own dramatic musical creation. Their hard work leads to a culminating performance and lessons for a lifetime. Simultaneously, the founding members of “Creating Original Opera” recall the program’s groundbreaking past and its legacy that continues to this day. To learn more about Opera Kids visit www.operakidsmovie.com
