Opening Doors Through the Arts: Kyle Ramon’s Journey
At the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, we believe that access to the arts can change lives. Through our education programs and community partnerships, we strive to inspire, empower, and shape the next generation of performers, creators, and leaders.
In March 2024, we proudly funded and facilitated a masterclass with Tony Award-winning performer Kristin Chenoweth at Booker High School in Sarasota. Kristin spent the day working directly with local theatre students, offering personalized feedback and mentorship. For one of those students, Kyle Ramon, the experience became a defining moment in his journey as an artist.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Kyle, then a senior at Booker High School, still remembers the moment he learned he had been selected to perform for Kristin.
“I was in my AICE math class when my teacher, Ms. Smith, told me I’d been chosen,” Kyle recalls. “It was a whole set of emotions happening all at once: excitement, fear, joy, stress, but mostly excitement. Performing for one of my musical theatre idols was something I never thought could be possible.”
Kyle later joined his classmates in Booker High’s theatre for a masterclass led by Kristin. It was a rare opportunity to perform for one of Broadway’s brightest stars, and students walked away with tips and direct feedback that would stay with them long after the workshop ended.
Lessons in Truth and Trust
Kyle performed “Dust and Ashes” from Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Working one-on-one with Kristin helped him approach the song in a new way.
“She helped me unlock a comfortability in trusting my instincts and letting the song feel conversational without losing intent,” Kyle says. “At the end of the day, a song is just a monologue with a melody. Breaking it down that way made it so much easier to approach it truthfully.”
One lesson in particular stood out: Kristin encouraged Kyle to just talk.
“When we exist in the world, we don’t plan out every single thing we’re going to say,” Kyle explains. “Kristin taught me that performance should be the same. When you stop forcing emotions and start living through them, it draws people in. That’s what makes a performance real.”
Rekindling Passion and Inspiring Purpose
Before the masterclass, Kyle admits he had started to doubt his dreams of pursuing a career in musical theatre.
“Kristin brought the light back into my eyes with her passion for teaching a younger generation of artists,” Kyle shares. “While I love performing, I now also want to help the next generation of young artists find their voices by teaching them.”
Her guidance inspired Kyle to explore vocal pedagogy, the art and science of teaching voice, so that he can one day pass on what he has learned to others. The lessons Kyle learned during the masterclass have already shaped his future. Using the same song and techniques Kristin helped him refine, Kyle auditioned for his dream school and earned a spot in the highly competitive musical theatre program at Texas State University.
“Being able to break down the stigma of performing and just talk truthfully in the song gave me so much confidence,” Kyle says. “Kristin helped me put me into the piece, and that’s what colleges want to see. I used the song for my auditions, and it landed me at my dream school. Go Bobcats!”
Feeling Seen Through the Arts
Kyle’s journey reflects the personal and transformative power of access to the arts, and for him, that impact goes far beyond technical skill.
During a recent summer intensive, Kyle recalls a performance of “My Brother Lived in San Francisco” that left a lasting impression.
“It made me feel seen as a queer artist and safe in a way I’d never experienced before,” he says. “It just goes to show how powerful theatre can be in building community and connection.”
Kyle’s story is just one example of how arts education shapes lives. By creating opportunities like Kristin’s masterclass, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation helps young people across our community grow into confident performers, creative thinkers, and future leaders.
“I believe it’s super important for young people to have access to opportunities like this,” Kyle explains. “At this stage in our lives, we’re sponges, soaking up every experience that shapes us as artists and as people. Without programs like this, I wouldn’t be as confident, inspired, or developed as I am today.”
And his advice to other students?
“Take the chance,” Kyle says. “Even if you’re just watching, you’ll learn so much. These moments can truly change who you are as an artist and as a person.”
Today, Kyle carries Kristin’s lessons with him. They are lessons about performance, but also about authenticity, vulnerability, and community.
“The arts have given me an escape, a family, and a voice,” he says. “And I’ll always be grateful for this experience. I want to pass it on and inspire others the way Kristin inspired me.”
Call to Action
Through programs like the Kristin Chenoweth masterclass, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is committed to creating opportunities, amplifying voices, and shaping the next generation of artists and leaders.
Learn more about Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s education programs →