Salute to the Stars Luncheon celebrates artist award winners

The annual Sarasota Opera event honored artists and staff members on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • By Niki Kottmann
  • | 2:57 p.m. March 24, 2017
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Sarasota Opera supporters got to watch the very artists that their donations benefit on March 24, but this time in a more intimate event than their usual performances in the Sarasota Opera House.

The Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon at Sarasota Yacht Club featured several performances by artists such as Daniel R. Mandelker and Marlene N. Harris Fund for a Returning Artist award winner Hans Tashjian, bass; Scheininger-Reznick Apprentice Scholarship for an Outstanding Apprentice Artist winner Tobias Wright, tenor; and Leo M. Rogers Award for an Outstanding Apprentice Artist Anna Bridgman, soprano.

Among the 13 award winners were two Sarasota Opera staff members — Director of Patron Services Susan Ashcraft and Director of Audience Development Sam Lowry — who were recognized with the Joan and David Wood Award for Exceptional Staff Members.

Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell and Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi
Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell and Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi
Edie Chaifetz, Toby Siegel and Rosanne Martorella
Edie Chaifetz, Toby Siegel and Rosanne Martorella
Trey Desenberg and David Chaifetz
Trey Desenberg and David Chaifetz
Karin Murphy and Louis Martorella
Karin Murphy and Louis Martorella
Marsha and Dick Johnson
Marsha and Dick Johnson
Pianist Kevin Miller accompanies award-winning bass Hans Tashjian during a performance at the Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
Pianist Kevin Miller accompanies award-winning bass Hans Tashjian during a performance at the Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
Elaine Krajenke Ellison, Jerry Cohn and Carol Bernhard
Elaine Krajenke Ellison, Jerry Cohn and Carol Bernhard
Linda and Gabe Moretti with Donna Hecker
Linda and Gabe Moretti with Donna Hecker
Award-winning soprano Anna Bridgman performs with award-winning tenor Tobias Wright at the Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
Award-winning soprano Anna Bridgman performs with award-winning tenor Tobias Wright at the Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
President of the Sarasota Opera Guild Peter Phillipes, performer Anna Bridgman, Suzy Phillipes and President of the Bradenton Opera Guild Richard DeGennaro
President of the Sarasota Opera Guild Peter Phillipes, performer Anna Bridgman, Suzy Phillipes and President of the Bradenton Opera Guild Richard DeGennaro
Bob and Carolyn Wurzel
Bob and Carolyn Wurzel
Louis Martorella and Roger Bingaman
Louis Martorella and Roger Bingaman
Isabelle and Andre Christen
Isabelle and Andre Christen
Alex Boyd and performer Kevin Miller
Alex Boyd and performer Kevin Miller
Award-winning bass Hans Tashjian performs at the Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
Award-winning bass Hans Tashjian performs at the Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon on March 24 at Sarasota Yacht Club.
Sally Schule and Deb Coleman
Sally Schule and Deb Coleman
Anna Maria Troiano and Les Grualdi
Anna Maria Troiano and Les Grualdi
Marcia Frankel, Bert Fivelson and Janet Huelster
Marcia Frankel, Bert Fivelson and Janet Huelster

 

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