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.