Sarasota Opera’s Studio Artists Program are emerging artists who serve the main stage productions by covering the principal roles and performing supporting roles. With dozens of roles needing covers each season, Studio Artists are often called on to substitute for an ill or injured principal, sometimes with little notice. In addition, Studio Artists augment the Apprentice Artists chorus for some operas and concerts.
Importantly, the Studio Artists are also Sarasota Opera’s ambassadors of opera, bringing this music to communities outside the Opera House. Serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, Studio Artists perform in unique and unusual locations for people that may be otherwise unable to attend a performance. Theses outreach initiatives are held in schools, retirement homes, community centers, and guild meetings as well as other locations and serve a variety of local residents.
Studio Artists Program participants sometimes return to Sarasota Opera as principal artists, and some have gone on to perform with La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and other international companies.