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.

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.

Applications to the 2025 Apprentice Artist program are now closed.

2025 Winter Apprentice Artists

Matteo Adams
MATTEO ADAMS, Tenor
Beaumont, Texas
Sponsored by Margaret Renner

Sandra Aldaz Meraz
SANDRA ALDAZ MERAZ
, Mezzo-Soprano
Chihuahua, Mexico
Sponsored by Les and Carol Brualdi

Christine Alfano
CHRISTINE ALFANO
, Soprano
Boca Raton, Florida

Emily Anderson
EMILY ANDERSON
, Mezzo-Soprano
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Sponsored by Patrick and Ann Kenny

Talar Arslanian
TALAR ARSLANIAN
, Soprano
Pasadena, California
The Joey Frye Endowed Apprentice Artist

 Adriel Baralt Jimenez
ADRIEL BARALT JIMENEZ
, Tenor
Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
Sponsored by Irwin and Andra Press

Serafina Belletini
SERAFINA BELLETINI
, Mezzo-Soprano
Livonia, Michigan
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arthur

Charles Daniel
CHARLES DANIEL
, Bass
Birmingham, Alabama
Sponsored by Elaine Keating

Christian Davakis
CHRISTIAN DAVAKIS
, Tenor
Oradell, New Jersey
Sponsored by William and Annette Lloyd

Michael Deshield
MICHAEL DESHIELD,
Tenor
Bloomington, Indiana
Sponsored by James and Stephania McClennen

Xochitl Hernandez
XOCHITL HERNANDEZ, Mezzo-Soprano
Los Angeles, California
Sponsored by Keith Nelson and Judith Marquis 

Henry Horstmann
HENRY HORSTMANN
, Bass
Lindenhurst, New York
Sponsored by James and Lorna Mack

Timothy Krueger
TIMOTHY KRUEGER
, Bass
Findlay, Ohio
Sponsored by Alan Kesten and Pamela Johnson

Alexandra Kzeski
ALEXANDRA KZESKI,
Soprano
New York, New York

Sponsored by Alan Forrest Crawford

Collin LaHood
COLLIN LAHOOD, Tenor
Peoria, Illinois
Sponsored by Patrick and Kim Nettles

Rachel Magil
RACHEL MAGIL
, Soprano
Rochester, New York
Sponsored y Janet and Lewis Solomon

Victoria McGrath
VICTORIA MCGRATH, Soprano
Staten Island, New York
The Joel D. and Ellen S. Fedder Endowed Apprentice Artist

Maya McGuire
MAYA MCGUIRE
, Mezzo-Soprano
Washington, D.C.
Sponsored by William and Joyce Fletcher

Margaret Meierhenry
MARGARET MEIERHENRY
, Soprano
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sponsored by Henry and Melinda Foster

Zeky Nadji
ZEKY NADJI
, Bass
Interlochen, Michigan

Jose Olivares
JOSE OLIVARES,
Bass
Fort Worth, Texas
Sponsored by Joseph and Pam LoDato

Lindsey Polcyn
LINDSEY POLCYN
, Mezzo-Soprano
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
The Lynn and Steve Blackledge Endowed Apprentice Artist

William Raskin
WILLIIAM RASKIN
, Bass
Milwaukee,Wisconsin
Sponsored by Amanda and Dick Smoot

Jackson Schroeder
JACKSON SCHROEDER
, Tenor
Brunswick, Georgia
Sponsored by Katherine Benoit and John Brooks