“There was not a single coaching or lesson where I did not learn something new-- I left every meeting feeling more inspired than the last.”
Libby Hamilton at a local caffé
My time at CLA Italy was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and one that I surely will not forget. I am not embarrassed to admit that, prior to this program, I was beginning to feel a little lost. Being in academia for so long, I was starting to feel burnt out and tired, and my passion for music was being called into question. My time in Novafeltria opened the doors to rediscover what music meant to me on the deepest levels.
As soon as I began to meet my new peers at the Bologna airport, I could tell that this program was like no other. Glenn and John, the program coordinators, were there to greet us, and everyone began to get to know each other while we waited for the bus to Novafeltria. Before we even started the program, community was being fostered, not just between the students, but with the faculty as well.
The 2025 CLA Italy Artists after their concert in Ravenna
Unlike other programs, each student got the chance to have coachings and lessons with every single faculty member at the program multiple times a week. We were treated as their professional peers instead of just students, and through this, I was able to throw away my fears of not being “good enough” and, instead, just enjoy singing. I was able to find freedom and passion in my voice that I had not felt in months. I can say with the utmost confidence that there was not a single coaching or lesson where I did not learn something new-- I left every meeting feeling more inspired than the last. Every single teacher in this program made us feel welcome, seen, appreciated, and cared for. Within just two weeks, it was extremely clear that every student was making immense improvements.
Although our schedules were busy, we were still able to find time to socialize. The program was short, but the friendships that were fostered at CLA Italy are some that I will cherish forever. The support that everyone was so willing to give was infectious, and the community we created was one of trust in both ourselves and in each other. I was no longer afraid to be my authentic self, both on and off the stage. I had no fear of embarrassing myself, because I knew that I would be supported no matter what.
2025 CLA Italy Artists at Ristorante Saffi
The accommodations provided during the program were my favorite touch. We were each given apartments sprinkled throughout the small town, which really made us a part of the community. The town of Novafeltria is beautiful, small, and might just be the most welcoming place on Earth. Waking up every morning to the sunrise and walking to Lattevino (a local caffé) for my morning pastry and coffee before my first class became my routine. About halfway through the first week, we discovered a hidden gem-- a tiny, family-owned restaurant with a different daily menu. Most of us ended up dining here for lunch every single day, and the couple that owns the place adopted us as one of their own. They even made us a goodbye meal on our last day of the program, and opened the restaurant just for us on a national holiday- Ferragosto.
A song written by CLA Faculty Member, Raphael Fusco to thank Ristorante Saffi for their hospitality
I am so thankful that I chose to attend Classic Lyric Arts in Italy. Connecting with the culture and the language opened doors for me in my music-making that I never thought were possible with my voice. I was able to find my passion for music again through seeing the love and connection it created within the beautiful community that I was so lucky to call home for two-and-a-half weeks. I made life-long friends and learned life-long lessons about the Italian language, music, myself, and everything in between.