On Nov. 7 and 8, 2026, Sarasota Youth Opera will present Rachel J. Peters’ one-act opera “Rootabaga Country.”

The production will star tenor Dylan Schang, and baritone Riley Findley with Jessé Martins conducting and Martha Collins direcitng. Abril Sanchez-Rodriguez will also star in the leading role.

Since its inception in 1984, the Youth Opera Program at Sarasota Opera has become a national model for opera education, offering instruction from noted professionals in the opera industry and participation in main stage opera productions, concerts, and summer programs.

Speaking of the programing,  Sanchez-Rodriguez, who is 12, said, “This is my first main role, and it is amazing to be in the center of the story.  I love everything about this magical opera. I hope the audience will feel what I feel and be uplifted by the beautiful music.”