“The CLA Faculty doesn’t just teach you how to sing. They’re always there for you, and they really want you to be your best self in life.”
Enes Pektas and Sara Stevens in Il Tabarro
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to describing how much Classic Lyric Arts means to me, but I will try my best.
CLA was the first-ever young artist program & academy I participated in in New York. For me, it’s not just a program, but a family- a place where I’ve grown so much as an artist and as a person.
I met CLA’s Artistic Director, Glenn Morton, in my Italian Diction class at the Mannes School of Music. Believe me, going to class is not usually my thing, but after a couple of weeks, I was actually looking forward to working with Glenn each class. One day, Glenn casually asked me, “Do you want to go to the Berkshires with CLA?” and I said yes, when?!!
I want to mention that this was my first year in New York, and CLA generously offered me a scholarship and a work-study opportunity that allowed me to participate in the program.
Glenn Morton, Melis Yesiller, Enes Pektas, and Meche Kroop
CLA Berkshires is a 2-week summer program in Great Barrington with a focus on Mozart. I still miss it today! You wake up every day, do a little morning chant with the group, eat food together, learn Italian, do coachings, and eat more food?! What more could you ask for? This is the best life. I was so happy to be there, and I couldn’t get enough coachings with Daniel Isengart, John Viscardi, Michael Sheetz, and of course, Glenn Morton. I learned so much in just 3 weeks. Not just singing, but acting, and how to build your business and connections.
At the end of CLA Berkshires, Glenn offered me a spot in the first year of the Classic Lyric Arts Vocal Academy. I immediately said YES! because I knew these were the people and coaches I wanted to be around — to be friends with and to learn from.
The CLA Vocal Academy started at the end of September 2024. Every week I had four coachings and a group class. Every few weeks, guest voice teachers and conductors would visit to give us masterclasses and individual coachings.
Daniel Isengart and Enes Pektas
I can’t begin to explain all I learned in those 8 months, and how much I’ve grown through the CLA Vocal Academy. I especially want to thank Daniel Isengart — because I really struggled with my acting, but he helped me learn how to make acting choices and embody my characters. I even received good reviews about my acting! That’s crazy!
Before the end of the first year, we decided in just one day to do a production of Puccini’s Il Tabarro. At first, I was anxious and thought, “How am I going to learn and sing this opera?” Then one day we looked around and... we had done it! Michele was an amazing role for me to learn and perform, and I’m so glad we did this production. Of course, we couldn’t have taken on this production without the help of the amazing CLA faculty.
Pianists Pat Gallagher, Marianna Vartikyan, and The CLA 24/25 Vocal Academy Resident Artists.
But, I also want to mention my colleagues and friends who were my fellow CLA Vocal Academy Resident Artists. Between the five of us, the level of singing was so high — it ignited something more in me. I really tried to reach their level, and this helped me grow even more. We’ve been friends for quite a while now, and I know this friendship and mutual encouragement is going to last forever.
Now, before I finish — you know, every singer (and every person) has their ups and downs in life. I can honestly say I had my downs quite a bit, and sometimes we didn’t even sing or coach during my residency with the Vocal Academy. The CLA Faculty doesn’t just teach you how to sing. They’re always there for you, and they really want you to be your best self in life. So, on difficult days, sometimes the coaches and I just talked. They always helped me find a way to get back up again.
Glenn Morton and Enes Pektas
My time in CLA and the CLA Vocal Academy will always have a special place in my heart. As a Turkish singer moving to New York, I’ve faced many difficulties, including financial problems. Thank you to Glenn Morton and all the CLA Board members for making it possible for me to have this experience, both in the Berkshires and with the CLA Vocal Academy.