Studio Artists Program

The Sarasota Opera Studio Artists are members of the more advanced level of Sarasota Opera’s two training programs. The Studio Artists receive the same intense training as the Apprentices, but they participate in main stage productions by performing supporting roles and covering principal roles. With many roles needing covers each season and our extended performance schedule, Studio Artists are often called on to substitute for an indisposed principal artist, sometimes with little notice. The Studio Artists occasionally augment the Apprentice Artists in choruses for larger productions.

The Studio Artists are often Sarasota Opera's musical representatives outside the Opera House. Serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, they perform in various locations. These outreach initiatives take place in schools, retirement homes, community centers, and at guild meetings as well as other locations.

Studio Artists Program participants have often returned to Sarasota Opera as principal artists, and many have gone on to perform with major companies in the United States and internationally.

2023 Winter Studio Artists

Emily Blair
Emily Blair

Soprano • Aurora, IL
STUDIO ARTIST 
Sarasota Opera Debut

Andrew Boisvert 
Andrew Boisvert
 
Bass • Needham, MA
STUDIO ARTIST 
SARASOTA OPERA 
Studio Artist (2020)
Debut: Apprentice Artist (2019) 

Heeseung Chae
Heeseung Chae
 
Baritone • Busan, South Korea 
STUDIO ARTIST  
Sarasota Opera Debut 

Jordan Costa
Jordan Costa
 
Tenor • Ridgefield, CT 
STUDIO ARTIST 
SARASOTA OPERA 
Debut: Studio Artist (2022) 

Sarah Ann Duffy
Sarah Ann Duffy
 
Mezzo-Soprano • Cortlandt Manor, NY 
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
 
Debut: 2022 Winter Apprentice Artist 

Levi Hamlin
Levi Hamlin
 
Tenor • Battle Creek, MI 
STUDIO ARTIST 
SARASOTA OPERA 
Paolino, Il matrimonio segreto (2022) 
Spoletta, Tosca (2022) 
Studio Artist (2020) 
Debut: Apprentice Artist (2018) 

Miles Herr
Miles Herr 

Tenor • Lenox, MA 
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut 
Paul Leland Hill 
Bass • Salt Lake City, UT 
STUDIO ARTIST 
SARASOTA OPERA 
Winter Studio Artist (2021)
Debut: Winter Apprentice Artist (2020) 

Billy Huyler
Billy Huyler

Baritone • Florham Park, NJ
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Studio Artist (2022)
Apprentice Artist (2020)
Debut: Apprentice Artist (2019)

Chelsea Laggan
Chelsea Laggan

Mezzo soprano • Holland, Pennsylvania
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
 

Brenna Markey 
Brenna Markey
 
Soprano • Philadelphia, PA 
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Elisetta, Il matrimonio segreto
Debut: Studio Artist (2022) 

Eric J. McConnell
Eric J. McConnell
 
Bass-Baritone • Denver, CO 
STUDIO ARTIST  
Sarasota Opera Debut 

Elizabeth Novella 
Elizabeth Novella
 
Soprano • New York, NY 
STUDIO ARTIST 
The Joel D. and Ellen S. Fedder Endowed Artist
SARASOTA OPERA 
Debut: Giannetta, L’elisir d’amore (2020) 
 
Andrew Simpson
Andrew Simpson
 
Bass-Baritone • Dallas, TX 
STUDIO ARTIST 
Sarasota Opera Debut 

Eric Luis Vinas 
Eric Luis Vinas
 
Baritone • New York, NY 
STUDIO ARTIST 
Sarasota Opera Debut 

Julia Wolcott
Julia Wolcott
 
Soprano • State College, PA 
STUDIO ARTIST 
SARASOTA OPERA 
Apprentice Artists (2022) 
Debut: Winter Apprentice Artist (2021)