Opera Orlando and Stetson University are joining forces for an apprenticeship Pilot Program.

The program aims to allow two students to work with the company per semester. During the apprenticeship, they will hone their vocal skills and fine arts business acumen. They will also receive credits toward their degree.

For the first program, the participants will be Nidia Guevara-Nolasco and Isabel Barbato. They were nominated based on their “outstanding record in opera productions and their academic performance at Stetson.” They will work with the company on its production of “Tosca” this October.

“Opera Orlando is thrilled to partner with the Stetson School of Music with this new program. The combination of providing a professional, on-stage experience that also counts as class credit is a very unique opportunity that is not seen much throughout the country. The audition process to be accepted into this program was very competitive, which speaks to the high level of talent at Stetson University and we are honored to be working with these
stars of tomorrow” said Opera Orlando’s general director and CEO Gabriel Preisser.