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 winter season. 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.

Applications for the Winter 2025 Apprentice Program are open. The program runs from January 9 through March 30, 2025, and includes participating in the chorus of the Main Stage productions. 

In addition, Apprentice Artists will:

  • Participate in classes given by Victor DeRenzi (Artistic Director of Sarasota Opera), Arthur Bosarge (Chorus Master/Program and Music Director of the Apprentice Artists), Martha Collins (Apprentice Artists Program stage director), Stephanie Sundine (Apprentice Artists Program stage director), Marco Nisticò (artistic administrator), and other members of the Sarasota Opera staff.
  • Coach music with members of the music staff
  • Coach foreign languages with native-born speakers
  • Participate in master classes
  • Network with experienced colleagues
  • Perform at concerts during the season
  • Perform and cover main stage roles.

Click Here to apply to the 2025 Apprentice Artist program.

2024 Winter Apprentice Artists

Matteo Adams
MATTEO ADAMS, Tenor
Beaumont, Texas

Elana Bell
ELANA BELL
, Mezzo-Soprano
New York, New York

Matthew Cook
MATTHEW COOK
, Baritone
Fairfax, Virginia
The Joey Frye Endowed Artist

Dylan Davis
DYLAN DAVIS
, Tenor
Marion, Ohio
Sponsored by Margaret Renner

Michael Deshield
MICHAEL DESHIELD
, Tenor
Bloomington, Indiana
Sponsored by Paul and Sharon Steinwachs

 Kyle Dunn
KYLE DUNN
, Baritone
Leonia, New Jersey
Sponsored by Katherine Benoit and John Brooks

Marlina Karimi
MARLINA KARIMI
, Soprano
West Palm Beach, Florida
Sponsored by Russ and Maragrete Wiltshire

Rachel Kobernick
RACHEL KOBERNICK
, Soprano
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arthur

Timothy Krueger
TIMOTHY KRUEGER
, Bass
Finlay, Ohio
Sponsored by William C. and Joyce K. Fletcher

Alianis Lozada
ALIANIS LOZADA,
Mezzo-Soprano
Humacao, Puerto Rico
The Joel D. and Ellen S. Fedder Endowed Artist

Sergio Mandujano
SERGIO MANDUJANO, Tenor
Norwalk, Connecticut
The Lynn and Steve Blackledge Endowed Artist

Heather Mcconnell
HEATHER MCCONNELL
, Soprano
Philadelphia, Pennslyvania
Sponsored by Anne Terry Brennan Davis and Rae and Sanford Frankel

Conner Mcwhirter
CONNER MCWHIRTER
, Tenor
Orlando, Florida
Sponsored by Alan Kesten and Pamela Johnson

Zeky Nadji
ZEKY NADJI,
Baritone
Interlochen, Michigan

Lauryn Nelson
LAURYN NELSON, Mezzo-Soprano
Chicago, Illinois
Sponsored by Amanda and Dick Smoot

Emma Nossem
EMMA NOSSEM
, Mezzo-Soprano
Munster, Indiana
Sponsored by Diana Lager

Margarita Parsamyan
MARGARITA PARSAMYAN, Soprano
Yerevan, Armenia
Sponsored by James and Lorna Mack

Ryan Peña
RYAN PEÑA
, Tenor
Taft, Texas

Lindsey Polcyn
LINDSEY POLCYN
, Mezzo-Soprano
Jackson, Ohio
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. William Lloyd

Chase Sanders
CHASE SANDERS
, Soprano
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by Hank and Melinda Foster

Margaret Macaira Shannon
MARGARET MACAIRA SHANNON,
Mezzo-Soprano
Austin, Texas
Sponsored by Janet Stern Solomon and Lewis D. Solomon 

Errol-Wesley Shaw
ERROL-WESLEY SHAW
, Baritone
Miami, Florida
Sponsored by Stephania and James McClennen

Sarah Stembel
SARAH STEMBEL
, Soprano
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mallof

Brian Wacker
BRIAN WACKER
, Bass
Cheyenna, Wyoming
Sponsored by Felicia and Andrew Hall

Alexandria Zallo
ALEXANDRIA ZALLO, Mezzo-Soprano
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 
Sponsored by Helena Panoyan