The Gilpin County School fifth graders learn about Leave No Trace and the environment at Lincoln Hills.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Hills Cares

Students watch "Earth to Kenzie," a children's opera about a fifth grader facing some difficult changes in her life.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Three fifth-grade students from Gilpin County watch the opera at the Dr. Nathaniel Howard Outdoor Classroom on October 19, 2026.

Photo by Mindy Leary

A lively performance by the Central City Opera enthralls viewers with a story about Kenzie, a young girl struggling with housing security, asthma, and anxiety.

Photo courtesy of Central City Opera

Three Central City opera singers perform "Earth to Kenzie" at Lincoln Hills.

Photo courtesy of Central City Opera

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GILPIN COUNTY — Opera and fifth graders might seem like an odd combination. But add a space kitty, video games, and a girl their own age, and it makes a lot more sense.

Gilpin County School fifth graders went to Lincoln Hills on Monday, October 19, 2026, to see "Earth to Kenzie," a children's opera put on by Central City Opera at the Dr. Nathaniel Howard Outdoor Classroom.

Lincoln Hills, once a vacation retreat for African Americans during segregation, is now home to Lincoln Hills Cares, a nonprofit that connects young people with nature through outdoor education, environmental programs, and hands-on learning experiences.

The 45-minute show is in English, so the kids could follow what was going on. 

It's about Kenzie, a fifth grader whose family loses their home. She's struggling in school, doesn't want her friends to know what's happening, and spends a lot of time escaping into her video games.

It's a relevant but tough subject for a kids' opera. There's homelessness, anxiety, and the events and emotions kids sometimes don't want to talk about. But it also has funny moments, including a make-believe starship, a girl with giant wings, and lots of action as the performers run around the room.

Before the 1 p.m. show, Lincoln Hills Cares had the students doing some outdoor activities. They learned a little about Lincoln Hills' history and got hands-on lessons in “Leave No Trace,” including how to plan ahead and properly dispose of waste outdoors.

Three fifth-grade students from Gilpin County watch the opera at the Dr. Nathaniel Howard Outdoor Classroom on October 19, 2026.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Before the opera started, the performers talked to the kids about opera singing and how they train their voices to be heard without microphones.

The Q&A after was quite entertaining. 

One curious student asked whether any of the opera singers could play the trumpet. They wanted to know about violins, different languages, and how the singers could remember all those words.

One asked how old a performer's daughter was. She's nine, by the way.

The performers talked about how they got started in the opera. Some began by doing musicals and theater. 

They also told the kids about all the work that goes into a show, from learning the music to getting the costumes and makeup ready.

One student wanted to know where Kenzie and her mother had been living after losing their home. The performers explained that they slept in their car for a few nights before finding a shelter. That's when Kenzie learned that one of her classmates was in the same situation.

A lively performance by the Central City Opera enthralls viewers with a story about Kenzie, a young girl struggling with housing security, asthma, and anxiety.

Photo courtesy of Central City Opera

"Earth to Kenzie" bridged the gap between modern themes and classical music while teaching a bit about the struggles some kids face. 

By the end of the day, the students had learned about history, explored nature, and experienced the opera, thanks to Central City Opera and Lincoln Hills Cares.