Welcome to our new blog series, CLA Perspectives, where current CLA participants share a glimpse into their experience at Classic Lyric Arts.

Our first contributor is Brittany Martin, who travelled from Paducah Kentucky to attend Session II of CLA 2021.

Tucked into the Berkshire mountains, the Darrow School has quickly become a haven of artistry and collaboration for my thirty-plus colleagues and me over the last week. The serene landscape and fresh mountain air adds to the spirit of renewal and exploration at CLA. 

I begin each day with meditation and breath-work led by Glenn and John. This intentional time connecting to my breath and body sets up the day beautifully, reminding me to bring embodiment and thoughtfulness to my coachings, practice sessions, and rehearsals. After breakfast, I dive into in Italian Language 1 with our teacher, Ennio Brugnolo. Having never taken an Italian course before, our morning sessions have been a great introduction to the language structure, grammar, and Italian culture. Afterwards, I usually head directly into a coaching session with one of the coaches. I have been delighted how each coach brings a unique expertise, from Baroque style and ornamentation to dramatic interpretation. In addition to multiple solo and group coachings, my days are filled with practice time, 1-on-1 rehearsals with program pianists, and poetry readings. I especially appreciate the time spent in conversation with my fellow participants about our artistic journeys, inspirations, and dreams. The friendships I have formed here are inspiring and encouraging. After a year and a half of making music virtually, the opportunities for collaboration and connection are especially rejuvenating and hopeful. 

I arrived at CLA prepared to learn about the Italian language and bel canto style singing. After a week of the program, I can say that, while this expectation was met, it does not fully encapsulate my CLA experience. I soon discovered that CLA is more than simply a “summer training program.” It is a retreat where artists are empowered to create art and communicate through song. 

My friend Maria has attended both CLA France and CLA Italy in previous years. She spoke highly of her experience at both sessions and described the program as one that cultivated growth in singers of all levels and the coaches as kind, generous, and inspiring people. Even after hearing about Maria’s experience, I still arrived at CLA with a degree of hesitation and insecurity. How will my technique compare to the other musicians around me? Will the program be a good fit for me? I knew I still had so much to discover about myself as a singer and I wondered if there would be room for my “unknowing” and questions.

Thankfully, I quickly found what Maria shared about the program to be deeply true, and my fears were met with kindness and encouragement. Glenn and John are especially sensitive to the multitude of paths that brought us here and the various journeys we will embark upon after departing. Not long after unpacking my bag and meeting the program participants and directors, I was reminded that I did not arrive simply as a vocalist refining a skill in pursuit of a singular goal. Rather, from our first orientation meeting, Glenn and John established CLA as a program of growth, not of competition. Whether in my coaching sessions or conversations with my new friends, I have found space to think critically and creatively, express myself honestly, and grow along the way. 

As I reflect on my first week in the program, I am grateful for the nurturing environment that has been cultivated by the program directors and carried forward by the coaches and my fellow participants. I feel empowered to create music, and I can’t wait to see what the next week will hold!

Writing and Photography by Brittany Martin