'You Raise Me Up' puts local arts education on stage

By Ian Swaby
| 8:30 a.m. November 12, 2025

Students and instructor Elisha Byerly perform "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Visually, Sarasota boasts quite the arts scene, but not all of its talent is visible to the community.

Yet on Nov. 9, students comprised many of the performers taking to the stage at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

“You Raise Me Up,” the finale of the 2025 Living Arts Festival held by Sarasota Rising, highlighted arts education in Sarasota, as well as Manatee School for the Arts, and also celebrated local organizations and individuals through awards.

Serving as judges for the performances were Mary Burke Kramer, whose has held roles including Liesl von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" early in its Broadway run; Thea Lobo, a Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano; and Syesha Mercado, a vocalist who appeared on American Idol Season 7 and advocates for music as a healing tool.

"All we're here for is to be thankful and grateful and show some respect for the organizations, and then let them know that we're here for them as well," said Jeffery Kin, executive director and CEO Of Sarasota Rising.

Dancer Evelyn Lyman and apprentice Maria Alejandra Murillo perform in Ravel's "Bolero" with Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.

Manatee School for the Arts students, including sophomore Sarah Zorzoman (front-center) perform "The Frug."

Instructor Elisha Byerly and Ella Atkins of Sarasota Contemporary Dance perform in "Pennies from Heaven".

Elisha Byerly and Sarasota Contemporary Dance students dance at the front of the room, during a performance by vocalist Syesha Mercado.

Sarasota Cuban Ballet School students perform Ravel's "Bolero" with Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.

Bryan Guerrero and Evelyn Lyman perform in Ravel's "Bolero" with Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.

Michelangelo Canale, 58 offers a solo performance of "Trepak" from "The Nutcracker".

Arriyana Thomas, a freshman at Manatee School for the Arts, and instructor Kelly Burnette, participate in the school's performance of "The Frug."

Lucy Dieterle, Ella Atkins, and Lucy Helms perform in "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Landry Murphy, 8, and Katie Guirguis, 9, perform in "Story Book Land" Tree Fort Productions

Finnley Adamson, 9, Tree Fort Productions' founder and artistic director Katherine Michelle Tanner, and Ayla Duenes, 8 perform "Story Book Land".

Instructor William Coleman, and senior Colten Zwizinski perform "Rhythm of Life" with Manatee School for the Arts.

Brinley Remelski and Theadora Snyder, "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Evelyn Lyman and Bryan Guerrero perform in Ravel's "Bolero" with Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.

Isabella Goldhaber, 9, Finnley Adamson, 9, Ayla Duenes, 8, and Landry Murphy, 8, perform "Story Book Land" with Tree Fort Productions.

Theadora Snyder, instructor Elisha Byerly, and Brinley Remelski perform "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.

Freshman Jaxon Miklavic, instructor William Coleman, and senior Colten Zwizinski perform "Rhythm of Life" with Manatee School for the Arts.

Isabella Goldhaber, 9, Finnley Adamson, 9, Milana Golub, 10, and Ayla Duenes, 8 perform in "Story Book Land" with Tree Fort Productions

Syesha Mercado, a vocalist who is best known for her appearance on American Idol Season 7, sings "I Wanna Dance with Somebody!"

Mary Burke, whose roles have included Liesel in "The Sound of Music" on Broadway, dances with Jeffery Kin, executive director of Sarasota Rising.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.