Apprentice Artists
The Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artists Program was started in 1982. Like similar programs throughout the country, it is meant to help trained singers in the important transition from student to professional life.
The program functions within the aesthetic of Sarasota Opera by focusing on the standard operatic repertoire from Mozart to Puccini.
The company provides many performing opportunities throughout its fall and winter seasons. The training aspect of the program focuses on encouraging singers to give impassioned performances through vocal expression with an understanding of the meaning of the text, the poetry, and the music. In private coaching’s and classes, acting is approached through an efficiency of movement that brings out the meaning of the work rather than obscuring it.
The company aims for a consistent teaching approach that is supported by the artistic staff and the productions we produce on our stage.
For the 2020 Winter Opera Festival, Sarasota Opera's Apprentice Program consists of 24 professional singers.
Winter 2020 Apprentice Artists
Ariel andrew
mezzo-soprano
Tampa, Florida
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mallof
Evan K. Brown
Tenor
Fort Worth, Texas
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Dean Scarborough and Janice Bini
Jose Cuartas
Baritone
Queens, New York
2019 Fall Apprentice
Sponsored by Victoria L. Rich in memory of Alexander Rich
Benjamin DaCosta-Kaufman
Tenor
Richmond, Virginia
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Eleanor Faber in memory of Barry Faber
Alyssa Dessoye
Soprano
Lithia, Florida
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Pat Starke in memory of John Starke
Tori Patricia Franklin
Soprano
Greenville, Tennessee
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Mark Appel
Robert Gerold
Tenor
Queens, New York
2019 Fall Apprentice
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. William Llyod
Brittany Graham
Soprano
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Gilbert and Ann Roth
Kevin Thomas Harvey
Tenor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2019 Winter & Fall Apprentice
Sponsored by Joan Mathews
Paul Leland Hill
Bass
Ogden, Utah
Sarasota Opera Debut
The Joey Frye Endowed Artist
WILLIAM HULYER
Baritone
Florham Park, New Jersey
2019 Fall Apprentice
Sponsored by Hank and Melinda Foster
Sydney Kucine
Soprano
Portland, Maine
2019 Winter Apprentice
Sponsored by Katherine Benoit and John Brooks
Travis Lucas
Baritone
Tampa, Florida
2019 Winter Apprentice
Sponsored by Peter and Louise Shimkin
James Anthony Mancuso
Baritone
West Islip, New York
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Mary McGrath in memory of Bob McGrath
Madison Montambault
Mezzo-Soprano
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Alain and Helene Lebleu
Kara Morgan
Mezzo-Sporano
Andover, Minnesota
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Anonymous
JoAnnA Pope
Mezzo-Soprano
Jackson, Mississippi
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by John Suhre and Carla Koeffler
Juliet Powar
Soprano
Palo Alto, California
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Anonymous
Abigail Raiford
soprano
Queens, New York
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Sally H. Foote and Forrest S. Crawford
JOYLYN RUSHING
soprano
Chattanooga, Tennesse
Sarasota Opera Debut
Patrick Dean Shelton
Tenor
East Northport, New York
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Margaret Renner in memory of Ernst Renner
David Smolokoff
Tenor
West Long Branch, New Jersey
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Mr. Alan Kesten and Ms. Melba Jimenez
Tzytle Steinman
Mezzo-Soprano
San Diego, California
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by Helen Panoyan
Reno Wilson
Baritone
San Diego, California
Sarasota Opera Debut
Sponsored by A. Scott Bushey