• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota Opera salutes its stars at annual luncheon

Salute to the Stars awards luncheon was held on March 21 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.


  • By Samantha Chaney
  • | 12:26 p.m. March 21, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Members, performers and supporters of the Sarasota Opera alike congregated March 23 at the Sarasota Yacht Club for the annual Salute to the Stars awards luncheon.

The luncheon is held at the end of every opera season in order to recognize and award outstanding members of the company for their work.

According to the program, the "support provided through these awards enables Sarasota Opera to extend career development opportunities to artists and staff members of superior ability and potential."

This year, the recipients of the 2018-2019 seasonal awards were Caitlin Crabill, Yvonne Trobe, Jamin Kim, Annie Chester, Nicole Woodward, Kevin Thomas Harvey, Elissa Pfaender, Melvin D. Bozeman Jr., Travis Lucas, Levi Hamlin, Ganson Salmon, Jo Ann Whitehead and George Hemcher.

The 60th season of the Sarasota Opera concludes Sunday, March 24. 

Recipients Ganson Salmon, Levi Hamlin, Kevin Thomas Harvey, Travis Lucas, Yvonne Trobe, Caitlin Crabill, Nicole Woodward, Melvin D. Bozeman Jr., Elissa Pfaender, Jo Ann Whitehead, Jamin Kim, George Hemcher and Steven Aguilo-Arbues
Recipients Ganson Salmon, Levi Hamlin, Kevin Thomas Harvey, Travis Lucas, Yvonne Trobe, Caitlin Crabill, Nicole Woodward, Melvin D. Bozeman Jr., Elissa Pfaender, Jo Ann Whitehead, Jamin Kim, George Hemcher and Steven Aguilo-Arbues
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell
Floral centerpieces brightened every table.
Floral centerpieces brightened every table.
Louis Martorella and Aref Bsiso
Louis Martorella and Aref Bsiso
Eleanor Israel, Alan Israel, Judith Marquis and Keith Nelson
Eleanor Israel, Alan Israel, Judith Marquis and Keith Nelson
Syble DiGirolamo, Steve Dixon and Peggy Allen
Syble DiGirolamo, Steve Dixon and Peggy Allen
John Schabe, Carol Schabe, Carolyn Roberts and Harry Roberts
John Schabe, Carol Schabe, Carolyn Roberts and Harry Roberts
Gerald Fickenscher, Steven Dixon, Peter Phillipes, Suzy Phillipes, Victor DeRenzi and Michael Wadsworth
Gerald Fickenscher, Steven Dixon, Peter Phillipes, Suzy Phillipes, Victor DeRenzi and Michael Wadsworth
George Hemcher, Jo Ann Whitehead and Bobby Gardibaldi-Sanders
George Hemcher, Jo Ann Whitehead and Bobby Gardibaldi-Sanders
Mary Mitchell, Sherry Van der Heyn, Catherine Ailes and Joye Tower
Mary Mitchell, Sherry Van der Heyn, Catherine Ailes and Joye Tower
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi welcomes attendees of the luncheon.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi welcomes attendees of the luncheon.
Award recipient Melvin D. Bozeman Jr. performs for the luncheon attendees.
Award recipient Melvin D. Bozeman Jr. performs for the luncheon attendees.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash
SPARCC Holiday Luncheon co-chairs Melissa Silva, Tina McGovern and Cator Hartley
  • December 11, 2025
SPARCC holiday luncheon welcomes record turnout
Co-chair Kara Wootson, Planned Parenthood Director of Philanthropy Lauren Stroman, Co-chairs Lissa Murphy, LaVerne Green and Roz Painter-Goffi
  • December 8, 2025
Supporters Rise & Shine for Planned Parenthood brunch
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
Celia Young, Pat Reinhart, Ina Goldberg and Sherry Wheeler channel their inner flapper style for the Great Gatsby-inspired Poinsettia Luncheon.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Opera Guild rings in holidays at Poinsettia Luncheon
Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now