“At CLA Italy, I walked away with a deeper understanding of myself—as a singer and as an artist.”
Riley McMitchell
Upon arriving at the Bologna airport to meet the rest of the singers and faculty for CLA Italy 2025, a flood of thoughts and worries raced through my mind. As a mature student with a different career background who has returned to singing more seriously in recent years, I couldn’t help but wonder: Should I be doing this program? How will I be received by the faculty—some of whom are my age—and by the other singers? Am I good enough to sing alongside these much younger artists?
As with many things in life, the most rewarding experiences often lie just beyond a leap of faith.
Anna Poltronieri Tang, Riley McMitchell & 2025 CLA Italy Artists performing.
From the very beginning, a warm and welcoming energy spread throughout the group. Everyone was friendly and genuinely interested in getting to know one another. As the program progressed, a deep sense of belonging and care took root. Every voice—spoken and sung—was valued, and there was no sense of hierarchy between singers and faculty. One of the most refreshing surprises was the absence of competition among the singers. Instead, there was a shared commitment to supporting each other and contributing to one another’s growth. It was also clear that the faculty deeply cared about each singer’s experience, recognizing that each person needed something slightly different to thrive.
Glenn Morton, Sophia de Reyes Mezbur, and Riley McMitchell
While this program would have been special anywhere, being immersed in the charm and culture of Italian life in a small town made it truly magical. Whether sipping a morning cappuccino with the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna in the background or buying fresh produce at the local Monday market, life began to slow down, revealing the beauty in small moments. Over time, we grew more comfortable speaking Italian and embracing the culture of the region. The people of Novafeltria were incredibly welcoming, patient, and generous. This kind of cultural immersion simply can’t be replicated in a typical conservatory language class.
The program offered a unique blend of individual coachings with faculty, language classes, music rehearsals for concert scenes, and staging rehearsals for ensemble pieces. One aspect I deeply appreciated was the absence of a final opera production. This allowed the focus to shift toward the individual growth of each artist, rather than the pressure of preparing specific roles. In other programs, I’ve walked away with a deeper understanding of an operatic role. At CLA Italy, I walked away with a deeper understanding of myself—as a singer and as an artist.
Riley McMitchell post-concert.
Each faculty member brought something special and unique to the table, complementing one another beautifully. Even months later, I find myself continuing to explore and integrate the guidance I received. Words can’t fully express how grateful I am for what I learned—not only the technical aspects of Italian singing, technique, and style, but also the validation that I have something valuable to offer and a clear path to pursue my goals as an opera singer.
Thank you to the entire CLA Italy team and fellow singers for inspiring me to keep going.
Grazie mille!