CLA Italy 2023 Perspectives: Junseok Hwang

Every little thing from the morning rehearsals, gelato runs, Bar Centrale late night drinks, bus rides to and from concert venues, and every small interaction with beautiful souls, I will cherish for a very long time. 

I can confidently say that CLA Italy was more than a positive experience for me. I went with high hopes and excitement, and every single moment of it exceeded what I expected or hoped for. 

Entering my fourth and last year at The Juilliard School, I was wondering what would be the best summer program for myself to develop and enjoy my musical journey. I was auditioning at various programs, facing some acceptances and some rejections.

One program I knew I was going to was the Hawaii Performing Arts festival, which happened during the first half of the summer. The timing allowed me to seek out another program, hopefully one in Europe, because I hadn't gotten the chance to sing in Europe yet. 

In my last year at Juilliard, I was able to have Glenn Morton as one of my professors for a class in French Vocal Literature. The class was very intimate, being just a few undergraduates and masters students. And I can say this very proudly: taking this class was what I really needed during my final year at this school. 

Glenn was a lot more than just a teacher. He would always listen to our voice in and out of the context of the music score. He always prioritized getting to know and understand who we are as people and as artists, which made the learning experience during that class very charming and exciting. So when he asked our class about our summer plans, I was immediately intrigued by CLA. 

I have few friends who already attended CLA Italy, and all of them said so many good things about it and convinced me that I will thrive and have a great time in Novafeltria.

So I auditioned, and I went. 

Though the very beginning of this journey was not easy, after the airline lost some of our luggage in Rome and let us know only after we arrived in Bologna, I arrived in Novafeltria safely. And immediately after I arrived, I felt welcomed and inspired. This little town was filled with life and vibrating community. And all the people in Novafeltria welcomed us with open arms. 

Living with my very best friend, Tenor, Reed Gnepper, was a fitting last memorable journey together as the duo we were. The apartment we were housed in was very nice, and cooking was always a great time for us as we both love spending time in the kitchen making good food. 

Musically, I was able to challenge my potential. I was assigned to sing repertoire that was challenging. But each coach encouraged me to face the challenge with my own voice, and I ended up owning the music in the most healthy way possible. 

I will never forget any of the performances we had. The venues were beautiful, the audience was passionate, and all my fellow singers always left everything on the stage. I could not ask for a better group of people to have gone on this journey with. I am grateful.

One of the most memorable nights, for me, was our first concert in Ravenna. Ravenna is a historically renowned town and is home to Dante Alighieri's tomb. In a beautiful piazza, the seats were filled and many were standing to watch us sing. 

Alongside my friend Reed, we got up on the stage to perform the La Boheme Act 4 duet, “O mimi tu piu non torni.” I was getting butterflies singing each note because I could feel the audience breathing with us below the sea of raining stars. I have not yet performed the whole opera of Boheme yet, but I do not think I will ever get the same sensation of singing the Puccini’s tune that I got on that stage in Ravenna. Huge thanks to my friend Reed and Justin Feild, pianist, who collaborated with me. 

I have told many people I chose CLA because of Glenn and my trust in him. And it seemed like that was the case for many others as well. Glenn embraced us with warmth and encouragement, and that allowed many beautiful singers and souls to gather in one place. It was a special summer filled with touching music, laughs, good food, and wine. I feel blessed to have met the artists of CLA Italy 2023, and I look forward to carrying on with everything I gained from this summer. 

Every little thing from the morning rehearsals, gelato runs, Bar Centrale late night drinks, bus rides to and from concert venues, and every small interaction with beautiful souls, I will cherish for a very long time. 

Grazie mille! 

Giasone (as they called me in Italian) Hwang.

CLA France 2023 Perspectives: Daniella Brancato

My summer with CLA France was a journey of music, learning, and friendship. It was a time when dedication and hard work blended with the beauty of France, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

My time in France was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the meticulously curated program by Glenn Morton and the CLA team. Each moment was a testament to dedication and thoughtfulness.

Every morning was a delightful awakening. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, complemented by Emmanuel's hearty breakfast of eggs and potatoes, along with fresh fruits and exquisite baguettes. Emmanuel was the true head of the house, there to aid us when we needed any help. Talking with him was an amazing way to practice our French– Emmanuel spoke only in French.

We were also fortunate to be blessed with incredible food by an esteemed Michelin Star chef, Vincent Lucas. He brought a unique charm as he was also a singer himself. His elaborate meals were delicious and healthy, while his desserts were nothing less than divine.

The chateau's backyard offered breathtaking views. The chateau is surrounded by beautiful countryside landscaping, with a gorgeous pool. Our poolside moments were filled with mountain vistas, while evenings were alive with volleyball games and bonding. We surely indulged in the hot tub, sauna, and pool, followed by fun discussions in the common area. These close relationships with colleagues– and now friends :) – made working and living together a beautiful experience. Collaborating with such talented artists was truly incredible. 

Working with our inspiring faculty was an absolute pleasure. Glenn Morton is exceptionally talented. His coaching approach is geared towards helping each singer attain their absolute best, resulting in remarkable and astounding sound quality and resonance. Under Glenn's guidance, my singing underwent a complete transformation thanks to his expertise in perfecting vowel pronunciation and technique. Glenn's lessons resonated delightfully throughout the main level of the house, while upstairs, we immersed ourselves in the beautiful sounds of the French language guided by the exceptional Raphael Treiner. Raphael's unconventional teaching style transformed our French skills, enhancing both language and diction. Thanks to him, we have now mastered the art of open and round schwas! 

Hélène Blanic is another spectacular coach who has incredible knowledge on all of the opera repertoire. Helene's coaching centered around the simplicity of French, allowing the music to flourish. Her approach was a breath of fresh air, unveiling the core meaning of poetry and libretto. She transformed both my acting and phrasing. We also had the opportunity to work with Gaspard Brécourt, a remarkable conductor with immense wisdom. The chance to receive coaching from a conductor is significant and became extra extraordinary with Gaspard. His guidance will forever be with me; he completely transformed all of my arias. All of our coachings were done simultaneously throughout the chateau each day. Sharing this experience with colleagues under one roof created an intimate and cherished atmosphere.

Our tour of concerts was truly sublime. We finally had the opportunity to showcase the wonderful work we created during our time there. The concert venues exuded stunning grandeur, matched only by our remarkable audiences. Their appreciation for our performances were heartwarming. It's a rare and precious experience when people are deeply moved by your work. In fact, many of them made a point to follow us to different venues, ensuring they could savor our music multiple times.

My summer with CLA France was a journey of music, learning, and friendship. It was a time when dedication and hard work blended with the beauty of France, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

CLA Italy 2023 Perspectives: Hannah Comia

There really are no better words to describe Classic Lyric Arts: a family of artists who “meet you where you are” and grow with you at every step of the way.

I wish I could think of a different opening than this cheesy one, but there really are no better words to describe Classic Lyric Arts: a family of artists who “meet you where you are” and grow with you at every step of the way.

It was last summer, July 2022 at CLA Berkshires, that I first met Glenn Morton, John Viscardi, and the CLA community. I had such a special experience studying Mozart in the mountains that I knew I wanted to come back. This time it was to attend CLA Italy, the original program that started Classic Lyric Arts. 

Arriving in Bologna a couple days before the program started, I felt nervous, excited, and honestly, a bit scared as I didn't know what to expect. It wasn’t that I didn’t know anyone or that I wasn’t looking forward to working on this repertoire, but I was unsure if the next two-and-a-half weeks ahead of me would be anything like my time in the Berkshires. And now that the program has ended, I can tell you it was a totally different experience. 

Being in another country- in the beautiful piccolo paese that is Novafeltria- is a unique experience in itself. I spoke no Italian when arriving. Now, I can speak much more than I would have ever expected (thank you to our Italian teacher Ilaria Cicconi, Co-Director Ubaldo Fabbri, and the patient people of Novafeltria!). I also ate more delicious pasta, pizza, and pastries (the Holy trinity) and drank more espresso than anyone ever should (no regrets here). 

I got to perform in beautiful teatri in Sant’Agata, Macerata Feltria, and Novafeltria. I saw breathtaking mosaics in Ravenna and explored the hilly landscape in Montefeltria. Most importantly, I learned from some of the most passionate and brilliant faculty in this business alongside a wonderful group of emerging artists. It really is refreshing to be surrounded by people who care about making high-quality music, but who also want to help you grow and see you succeed in all facets of musicianship and life.

Going back to the fear that I had before starting CLA Italy, yes, CLA Berkshires and CLA Italy were two very different experiences. But this is a testament to the statement made at the beginning of every program- that they will meet you where you are. I was in a different place on my artistic journey last summer in the Berkshires than I was this summer in Novafeltria. And both experiences have helped me grow into not only a better informed and prepared musician taking beginning steps into the industry, but also into a human who loves this art form even more than before. 

CLA Berkshires 2023 Perspectives: Gabriel Shapiro

I left CLA having evolved as a pianist, as a musician, and as a person.

I had a good feeling about CLA before I played a single note. I’ve participated in several summer music programs as a singer but never before as a pianist. In fact, my audition for CLA was the first live piano audition of my life. Running through Puccini beforehand with the singer (whom I’d just met), I felt a great vibe. But, what struck me most was that she expressed concerns about her singing even though it was for my audition. This was, in fact, my first clue that as a collaborative pianist, my primary role would be to support the singer in terms of not only sound, timing, and breath, but also interpersonally. Given the substantial age difference between myself and most singers at young artist programs (not to mention a frequent gender difference), this would be a challenge I’d approach delicately.

When I walked into the audition room, Glenn immediately struck up a conversation with me about my unconventional résumé. This was definitely a good sign: a vocal program that valued diversity of experience rather than seeing it as a diversion from the narrowest path possible to the Met. More broadly, here was a program that recognized that everyone’s path as a musician is different, and that meeting the musician where they are rather than simply comparing their progress to some fictional ideal (or worse, to someone else’s actual path) is the most positive way to support musical growth – and in the long run, the most effective.

Once I got to the Berkshires, my hunch about CLA was more than confirmed. Thanks to positive leadership from the direction and participants alike, the program maintained an atmosphere free from competitiveness and artificial hierarchy, and the faculty and participants consistently put music ahead of ego. Even the food was substantially more appealing than at many other music programs I’ve attended.

My own progress as a collaborative pianist, both in terms of ability and comfort level, came more gradually, but I would leave CLA with my confidence substantially boosted in terms of my knowledge, technique, and judgment. Even as a vocal coach, I came in with limited experience, but the singers almost always seemed to feel more comfortable at the end of a coaching than at the beginning (not to mention sounding even better).

As often happens, the concerts were the icing on the cake. My parents live an hour away from Great Barrington, so they came to every show; several other guests accepted my invitation and joined us for the final concert. Whether this summer ends up being my only experience with CLA or the first of many, it was formative for me in a way that no other music program has been. I left CLA having evolved as a pianist, as a musician, and as a person.