Nikolina Šupe, 17

The Sarasota Youth Opera program is one of just a few in the country that offer staged pro-level opera productions starring young performers. Nikolina Šupe, a senior at Riverview High School, has been involved with it for eight years.

“I’ve always loved singing,” says Šupe. “My mom saw an ad [for the youth opera], and once I got involved, I loved it—especially the different languages. It stuck because it was outside the box.”

The soprano and mezzo-soprano has performed in youth opera productions like The Little Sweep and Brundibár, as well as in mainstage shows like Turandot and La Bohème, in which the children’s chorus sings alongside adult performers. “It’s incredible to see all the work come together on stage,” she says.

Šupe says her friends are “always supportive and come to see the shows I’m in. They always ask me to sing for them, and I never say it’s weird.” She also volunteers for the opera’s summer camp, where she works with kids ranging in age from 8 to 15. “It’s fun to help and see their growth,” she says.

Despite her commitment to her craft, Šupe admits opera isn’t a go-to in her free time. “I don’t listen to opera much, but I love going to watch performances,” she says. But while she may prefer pop artists like Frank Ocean, she was struck by a performance of La Bohème she caught during a recent trip to New York City.

For those who might be intimidated by opera, Šupe says that “it’s more diverse than people think. There’s a stereotype that opera singers only sing one way, but we perform all kinds of songs. And everyone is so friendly and inclusive.”

The hardest part, she says, “is always wanting to be better and comparing yourself to others. But once you gain confidence, you realize everyone is learning at the same time. It’s about pushing through those doubts.”

Finley MacBeth, 12

Booker Middle School student Finley MacBeth is already gaining experience in the performing arts, thanks to a starring role in a major production at Sarasota’s Asolo Rep and being a part of the Sarasota Youth Opera for six years.

Coming from an artistic family, acting seemed like a natural fit for MacBeth. "My mom is the production stage manager at the Sarasota Opera House and my dad is the foreman at the Asolo Scenic Studio, building sets. I grew up around it," he says. Starting his acting journey at age 5 at Florida Studio Theatre, he moved on to the Sarasota Youth Opera a year later.

His portfolio includes roles at Asolo Rep, including last season’s Inherit the Wind, in which he played Howard Blair and earned $250 a week. “I performed Inherit the Wind 30 times, and it never got old,” says MacBeth. “The adrenaline and the applause from the audience at the end are my favorite parts.”

Balancing a demanding rehearsal schedule with school isn’t always easy, especially when rehearsals run late. “Sometimes rehearsals went until 11 p.m., and I still had homework,” says MacBeth. “I’d go to bed at 1 a.m. and wake up at 6 a.m. for school. But it was worth it.”

In the visual and performing arts program at his school, he’s learning about lighting design, makeup, props, set design and costumes. “I’ve always seen the other side of things because of my mom, so getting to try my hand at it has been really fun,” he says. MacBeth recently performed in The Hobbit with the Sarasota Youth Opera. He played Elrond, the elf king.

His advice for young people interested in acting? “Keep going,” he says. “It’s going to feel hard, but when you get to that first show, it’s amazing. You have to keep pushing through.”

Kayla Hayes, 14

A student in Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts program, Kayla Hayes has been performing with Sailor Circus Academy for nearly five years, training in various circus disciplines while pursuing her passion for dance.

The circus academy, where Hayes hones her craft, is a Sarasota institution and also the oldest youth circus in the U.S. For Hayes, performing with the academy isn’t just about developing her skills—being there feels like being with family. "It’s like a second home to me," she says. "The coaches and friends are so supportive, and they’ve helped me realize my potential.”

Hayes’ interest in the circus was sparked early in life. When she was 5 years old, circus performers visited Bradenton’s Rowlett Elementary Academy, where she was a student. “At first, I was like, ‘Hmmm… I don’t know,’” Kayla recalls. “But after trying lyra [a steel hoop used by aerial acrobats] at a summer camp when I was older, I knew I found something I loved. It felt like I belonged.”

Her nimble feats intersect with Booker’s dance program, where she studies ballet, contemporary and flamenco. Her favorite act to perform is the Roman rings, in which she combines the grace of ballet with the strength needed for aerial performances. "It’s like dancing in the air," she says.

Hayes wants to continue performing and pushing her limits, while encouraging others to explore their creative potential. “Don’t let anything hold you back,” she advises. “Once you step out of your comfort zone, you realize what you’re capable of.”