Opera lets Chris, Debbie, Blythe and Quinn Kelsey spend lots of time together. Photos by Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin

Love for opera keeps the Kelsey family close-knit

By Elisabeth A. Crean
Special to the Star-Bulletin

All four Kelseys appear frequently with the Hawaii Opera Theater. Son Quinn, 18 and a senior at the UH Lab School, joins his dad, who works for a food distributor, in the baritone section of the chorus. Wife Debbie, a teacher at the Lab School, and daughter Blythe, 14 and a freshman there, sing with the sopranos. Blythe also interns in the wigs and makeup department.

Debbie is sitting out "Daughter," which opens tomorrow at Blaisdell Concert Hall, and Blythe is backstage doing makeup, but all four will sing together two weeks from now in Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot."

Opera for the Kelseys is truly a family affair. Their participation reflects HOT's multigenerational approach to education and outreach, getting everyone from children to seniors involved in the opera.

Despite the massive time commitment, all four Kelseys agree that their participation adds to, rather than detracts from, family life. Chris says, "It's given us a chance to be together more often than not." Moreover, Debbie adds, "It's wonderful to be on stage with the kids, just having a good time and performing and doing what we like best."

In fact, Quinn and Blythe got involved in the opera to spend more time with their parents.

"The children put their collective feet down," Chris says, and joined the opera as soon as they were old enough. In 1991, Quinn debuted in "Aida" and Blythe premiered last year in "Carmen." Exposure around the house attracted Blythe to operatic music. "My Mom was singing it all the time."

In the process, the kids overcame the cliches associated with the musical form. "A lot of people look at opera and they get that stereotypical idea of Brunhilde with the horns, singing with the uncontrollable vibrato," Quinn says. "But if they take the extra step to get involved, it opens new doors, new dimensions."

Far from being sedate, opera production is as action-packed and fun-filled as a Jackie Chan movie. "Everything behind the scenes is constant action," Quinn says. "Backstage, people are running around changing the sets, making costume changes, the stage director is on the intercom calling for what's up next."

Chris echoes this excitement about opera. "There's nothing like it in the world. It's layers and layers of enjoyment. There's staging, and there's music, and there's costumes. Everything is exaggerated emotions. It's either the darkest, most tragic thing that's happened or it's the most fantastic, wonderful love affair."

The parents also are excited about how the busy opera schedule has actually improved Blythe and Quinn's studying and time-management skills.

THE FACTS:
What: "Daughter of the Regiment"
When: Opens 8 p.m. tomorrow. Also 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall
Cost: $22-$75
Call: 596-7858

Their schedules also involve mature decision making. Quinn sometimes has to pass up party or beach forays for opera rehearsal. "There's not much time for going out with friends, or just staying home and doing nothing." Both he and Blythe insist that their friends, many of whom are also involved in music and theater, are "pretty cool about it."

Blythe concedes, however, that "the stereotypical teen-ager doesn't really think it's very cool, because they'd rather be talking on the phone or something."

Both Kelsey children have confidence and poise beyond their years. Debbie sees that opera has made them "more well-rounded." While many girls Blythe's age have the self-esteem of boiled cabbage, she loves the thrill of the stage. "I just like being out there and going for it," she smiles.

Blythe and Quinn personify the "responsible, trustworthy" students that HOT's education director, Erik Haines, enjoys having on board. Involvement in the demands and joys of the performing arts can also benefit troubled children. Haines cites the philosophy of Richard Stead, HOT's wig and makeup designer. "If we can get a paintbrush in these kids' hands before we get a knife or a gun, we've really done something."

Current funding cutbacks in the arts, education, and especially arts education give Stead's image even more ominous overtones. "It's really a scary thought," Haines says.

He paints a grim picture of what life would be like without arts. "One of the things I think we are going to lose is a sense of identity with the children. They aren't going to have as much of a chance to find themselves."

Happily, the Kelsey children have had that chance. Eventually, both want to pursue music professionally. Blythe wants to go to college on the mainland and "get a good singing job." Quinn sees instrumental and vocal options in his musical future. He plays the trumpet and the ukulele, and enjoys vocal styles from opera and Hawaiian music to pop and rap.

Quinn will attend the University of Hawaii-Manoa this fall, where he will study Hawaiian, marine biology and art. Having played both offensive and defensive lineman, he hopes to make the football team as well.

Staying in Honolulu for school means he will continue to sing in Hawaii Opera Theater productions. "I might have to cut down to one opera until I get used to juggling the opera and college," he concedes.