For young people with an interest in opera and a desire to perform, there are few opportunities to test the waters. While many schools offer theatre programs, vocal training is much more difficult to come by.

But the Nim family is using their extensive professional opera experience to help young people get involved in the art and support local productions.

Craig and Pamela Nim both have extensive performance resumes. Pamela began performing frequently while she was attending Holy Names Academy and eventually joined the Seattle Opera at age 22. Later she attended the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music.

One of only a few bona fide bel canto sopranos in North America, Pamela has performed with virtually every major company on the continent and was regional winner in the Metropolitan Opera competition and won the Luciano Pavarotti Opera Competition, beating 3000 competitors.

Craig's passion for Opera was also influenced by the arts culture in Pittsburg, Penn. when he attended Carnegie Mellon University. Today Craig is an internationally recognized baritone, having performed leading roles across the United States and Europe.

Both of the Nim's children, Veronica, 21, and Michael, 17, are building up their resumes as well. Veronica recently graduated from Pacific Lutheran University where she studied under multiple music scholarships. Her opera career was off to a running start at age nine when she began performing with the New York Metropolitan Opera.

"From the moment I stepped onstage it was just incredible," says Veronica. "I've been in love ever since."

Michael's first performance was with his father and sister in a local production of Carmen. To his dismay, in the middle of the show's run Michael's voice began to change. The family laughs about it now, but it's obvious that they admire one another's talent. Instead of bickering like typical siblings, Veronica beams when describing her brother's ability onstage.

"He's just a natural," she says. "He's a great actor and has a beautiful base voice."

The Nim's influence has stretched far beyond their own children. Pamela trains several young performers in West Seattle and directs the local company Lyric Opera Northwest.

She is currently co-producing the company's production of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro), which features both her husband and her daughter.

Two of Pamela's students, Mandy Christiansen, 13, and Cloey Last, 11, will also be performing. Mandy says that she loves performing, and has begun to learn foreign languages through the art. Le Nozze di Figaro will be Cloey's first performance, and it's clear she is having fun.

"I'm so excited," she giggles.

Director Norm Last described the young cast as one of the most professional and energetic he's ever worked with.

"What Craig and Pamela are doing is truly heroic," said Norm. "They put a lot into helping young people and filling an important gap."

Le Nozze di Figaro will be performed at the Meydenbauer Theatre in Bellevue from Jan.15 to Jan. 17. Tickets are $30 to $38 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.