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
Soprano • Aurora, IL
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
Andrew Boisvert
Bass • Needham, MA
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Studio Artist (2020)
Debut: Apprentice Artist (2019)
Heeseung Chae
Baritone • Busan, South Korea
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
Jordan Costa
Tenor • Ridgefield, CT
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Debut: Studio Artist (2022)
Sarah Ann Duffy
Mezzo-Soprano • Cortlandt Manor, NY
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Debut: 2022 Winter Apprentice Artist
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
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
Baritone • Florham Park, NJ
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Studio Artist (2022)
Apprentice Artist (2020)
Debut: Apprentice Artist (2019)
Chelsea Laggan
Mezzo soprano • Holland, Pennsylvania
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
Brenna Markey
Soprano • Philadelphia, PA
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Elisetta, Il matrimonio segreto
Debut: Studio Artist (2022)
Eric J. McConnell
Bass-Baritone • Denver, CO
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
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
Bass-Baritone • Dallas, TX
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
Eric Luis Vinas
Baritone • New York, NY
STUDIO ARTIST
Sarasota Opera Debut
Julia Wolcott
Soprano • State College, PA
STUDIO ARTIST
SARASOTA OPERA
Apprentice Artists (2022)
Debut: Winter Apprentice Artist (2021)