SARASOTA- The Sarasota Youth Opera is finally back, face-to-face.
“Being able to be live again is thrilling for all of us,” said Director of Education for the Sarasota Opera, Martha Collins.
Sarasota Youth Opera’s fall semester enrollment is now open, with in-person classes and activities offered for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
“Virtual as well as in person for those who don’t feel comfortable or can’t come in person at the person at the moment we are running the rehearsals basically hybrid, so we do it in person and virtual at the same time,” said Youth Opera Music Director, Jesse Martins.
11-year-old, Ovid Rawlins, is one of the members who is singing among his peers again in person
“When I first started singing it was great, I got be in opera and I loved it, but then the pandemic happened and I didn’t really know what to do but then they did it on zoom and it worked for a while but now I’m really excited to be doing it again,” said Sarasota Youth Opera, Ovid Rawlins.
Members of the Youth Opera will also have the opportunity to participate in the main stage production of Tosca.
“By the end of this semester our singers can be part of that production and we will be taking about 15 singers to be in the children’s chorus for Tosca,” said Youth Opera Coordinator, George Hemcher.
“To be standing in the room with the kids and them all singing together again clearly the joy that they feel, feeling everyone’s voices resonating around them again, it’s really, really been a treat to experience that renewal of their passion,” said Collins.
Youth Opera Alumni say the program changed their life.
“If you love music, if you have a passion for it and you are dedicated and show up on time, show up, be here and you will never forget your experience here,” said Sarasota Youth Alumni, Melanie Pires, and Mia Freeman.
For more information you can visit the Sarasota Opera website here.
