Enrollment for The Sarasota Youth Opera's 2015 Summer Camp is Now Open

Enrollment is now open for young people ages 8 -18 for Sarasota Youth Opera's 2015 Summer Camp to be held June 8 - June 26, 2015. The annual three-week program will run Monday thru Friday from 9 am - 12:30pm for campers ages 8 - 10, and 10am - 4pmfor campers ages 11 - 18. Everyone is welcome; no audition is required. All activities are at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota.

The Summer Camp promotes hands-on exploration of all aspects of opera in a structured, but informal atmosphere, offering classes in music, acting, opera appreciation, design, and technical production. Opportunities are also provided for campers to experience the magic of opera outside the Opera House through field trips and arts group collaborations. The final day will showcase the participants' work during the program in an on-stage demonstration featuring all campers. Campers will bring their own lunches, but a daily snack will be provided.

"Our camp's hands-on approach with not only singing, but all aspects of opera provides a phenomenal opportunity for young performers to really explore" says Ben Plocher, Manager of Educational Activities. "We are committed to placing our campers in active learning situations with established professionals in the industry: instrumentalists, stage directors, costume designers, set builders, and many others. It is really more than a camp; it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!"

Jesse Martins, Youth Opera Music Director, echoes Mr. Plocher's statement. "We believe the 360 degree, inside-out approach helps not only to demystify opera but also to help them reach the realization that opera is a form of expression, and a very powerful one."

A typical day includes sessions in singing, sets, wigs, make-up, costumes, and opera appreciation. All sessions are led by Sarasota Opera artists, directors, instrumentalists, and stage crew. On the final day of camp, families are invited to join the fun and participate alongside their camper in class and attend a final demonstration on the Sarasota Opera House stage. Musically, this year's camp will focus on the upcoming Sarasota Youth Opera fall production of Hans Krása's opera Brundibár as well as choral highlights from the upcoming 2015/16 Sarasota Opera season.

No audition is necessary to participate. Tuition for the program is $200 for half day campers and $330 for full day campers. Scholarships are available. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 16, 2015. Before and after camp care is available for a nominal fee.

For more information and to register, go to http://www.sarasotaopera.org/summercamp.aspx or call Ben Plocher at (941) 366-8450, ext. 249.

ABOUT SARASOTA OPERA

Based in Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Sarasota Opera is approaching its 57th consecutive season of presenting grand opera on the south Florida gulf coast. In 1960, the company began presenting chamber-sized repertoire in the historic 320-seat Asolo Theater on the grounds of Sarasota's Ringling Museum of Art. Recognizing the need for a theater more conducive to opera, the company purchased the former A.B. Edwards Theater in downtown Sarasota in 1979 and first performing in it in 1984 as the Sarasota Opera House. The theater has just undergone a $20-million renovation and rehabilitation enhancing audience amenities, while updating the technical facilities including increasing the size of the orchestra pit. The theater, which reopened in March 2008, has been called "one of America's finest venues for opera" by Musical America.

Since 1983 the company has been under the artistic leadership of Victor DeRenzi. Since then the company has garnered international attention with its Masterwork Revivals Series, which presents neglected works of artistic merit, as well as the Verdi Cycle producing the complete works of Giuseppe Verdi. Recognizing the importance of training, Maestro DeRenzi founded the Apprentice Artist and Studio Artist programs. Sarasota Opera also maintains a commitment to education through its Invitation to Opera performances for local schools and the unique Sarasota Youth Opera program.

The 2015 Fall Season will feature Giacomo Puccini's La bohème followed by the Sarasota Youth Opera production of Hans Krása'sBrundibár. The 2016 Winter Festival, which will mark the final year of Sarasota Opera's Verdi Cycle, will include Verdi's Aida, Mozart'sCosi fan tutte, Beethoven's Fidelio, and Verdi's The Battle of Legnano. Subscriptions for the 2015-2016 season are now on sale by calling(941) 328-1300 or visiting the Sarasota Opera Box Office. Single tickets will go on sale August 1st online (www.sarasotaopera.org) andSeptember 1st in the box office.

Sarasota Opera is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Programs are supported in part by an award the Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council. Additional funding is provided by the City of Sarasota and the County of Sarasota.

Photo Credit: Rod Millington for Sarasota Opera

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