“The two and a half weeks I spent at CLA Bel Canto were about so much more than learning how to sing. It was a time when I encountered a new language, discovered new ways of understanding music, met wonderful people, and broke through my own shell.” - Hinata Ito, CLA Bel Canto 2026
Two and a Half Weeks in Italy, Surrounded by Music:
Hinata Ito
Learning music means far more than simply understanding the notes and words written on a page. It is only by being in the place where that music was born, hearing its language spoken by native speakers, immersing ourselves in its culture, and sharing time with people who love music just as deeply that we can begin to discover its true meaning.
Participating in CLA Bel Canto was my first time traveling abroad on my own, and it was a major challenge for me. Although I had traveled overseas with my family several times before, I had never been to a foreign country by myself. Since I could only speak a little English and Italian, I was quite nervous before leaving Japan. Would I be able to follow the lessons without being fluent in English? Would I be able to communicate with the other participants? And, above all, would I even be able to find my way safely to the meeting point at the airport?
Yet, as my new life in Novafeltria began, those worries gradually faded away. Both the participants and the faculty were incredibly warm and welcoming. Whenever I tried my best to communicate in my broken English or Italian, everyone listened with genuine warmth and patience. Sometimes we relied on translation apps, and when I struggled to find the right words and needed extra time, no one ever rushed me. They simply waited patiently.
I came to realize that even without perfect language skills, genuine connections are possible when you sincerely want to communicate and the other person is willing to listen. During my time in Novafeltria, I was reminded of this again and again.
What Language Taught Me About Italian Music:
All of our daily classes were conducted in English. There were times when I couldn’t fully understand everything that was being said during the lessons. So I recorded every session and, after returning to my room, listened to the recordings again, translated the parts I hadn’t understood, and summarized them in my notebook. Looking back, it was quite a time-consuming process! However, precisely because I didn’t understand everything right away, going back over the material in my room gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding in my own way. In the lessons, I learned not only about the Italian language itself, but also about how words come alive within music.
Gelato in Novafeltria
In Glenn’s lessons, I learned in detail about vowel placement and resonance in Italian. The way we experience vowels is completely different in Japanese, and by physically experiencing those differences, I gradually developed a new sense of how to sing in Italian.
In Raphael’s lessons, I focused on how to sing recitatives. Rather than simply singing the words accurately, I learned how to convey their meaning and natural flow through music, a perspective I could hardly have gained by studying only in Japan.
In Ubaldo’s lessons, I learned not only correct pronunciation, but also how to use that pronunciation to create a truly Italian style of singing. Experiencing the intuitive sense of singing a language from a native speaker was an invaluable experience for me.
And in Daniel’s lessons, I learned a great deal about acting, an area in which I had previously lacked confidence. Having him praise expressions that I had previously second-guessed gave me a great boost of confidence in my performances and allowed me to trust my acting instincts.
Breaking Out of My Shell:
It wasn’t just my singing that changed at CLA Bel Canto. In Japan, I often worried too much about what other people thought of me, and I would hesitate to step forward or take initiative. But everyone at CLA Bel Canto approached things with a strong sense of “I want to do this!” and proactively took on new challenges.
Watching them every day gradually changed me, too. I began to think, “It’s okay for me to step forward more, too.” Once I started believing that, I was able to let go of some of the hesitation and reserve I had always carried with me. Being able to break out of my shell through music was one of the greatest treasures I gained from this program.
The 2026 CLA Bel Canto Artists
Two and a Half Weeks Immersed in Music:
Our performances began about a week after the program started. Over the course of two and a half weeks, we gave five performances in total. Each performance took place in a different city, giving us the opportunity to perform not only in traditional venues such as opera houses, but also in outdoor settings.
Our daily schedule was intense but rewarding. We started each morning with rehearsals for the Overture or Finale, fitting Italian language and aria lessons in between. I usually kept lunch simple by cooking for myself, and I used my breaks for individual practice. In the afternoon, we had ensemble lessons for the performances, followed by full rehearsals once again. By the end of the day, I was physically exhausted, yet I always found myself looking forward to the next morning.
It was a life completely surrounded by music.
Of course, there were difficult moments. But I was surrounded by people who shared the same deep love for music. Spending every day thinking about music, singing, and listening to one another from morning until night was an incredibly happy and fulfilling experience. Above all, performing on stage in Italy, the home of opera, was the greatest experience of all.
Sunset in Novafeltria
I had dreamed for a long time of “singing in an Italian theater at least once in my life.” To actually stand on stage five times and perform both solos and ensembles was an indescribable joy. The warmth of the applause from the local audiences and the view from the stage are things I will never forget.
Living in Italy:
Beyond the music, my daily life in Novafeltria gave me countless wonderful memories. I had always lived with my family in Japan and had never experienced living alone, so I was initially a little worried about whether I would be able to manage everything by myself. But once I started, I found that I actually enjoyed it much more than I expected.
I cooked most of my meals, and going to the local supermarket to buy ingredients became one of my favorite routines. Walking through aisles filled with unfamiliar foods and wondering, “What should I cook today?even these simple moments became part of the special experience of living abroad.
During my stay, I also visited local restaurants and bars a few times. And my absolute favorite treat was gelato. Once all my classes are finished today, I’ll go get some gelato.” I made this my little daily reward and motivation to get through the day. The authentic Italian gelato was truly delicious, and it gave me a peaceful moment to relax during those two and a half weeks filled with music.
What I Found at CLA Bel Canto:
Looking back, the “language barrier” that had worried me so much before leaving Japan gradually became much less intimidating as I spent my days in Novafeltria. Of course, if I had been able to speak better English and Italian, there would have been so much more I could have understood and communicated. Yet, even without speaking perfectly, there were countless moments when we were able to understand one another through music.
Hinata Ito
By learning the Italian language, studying its music in the place where it was born, and sharing time with people who love music, the music I had once seen only on sheet music began to look completely different to me.
The two and a half weeks I spent at CLA Bel Canto were about so much more than learning how to sing. It was a time when I encountered a new language, discovered new ways of understanding music, met wonderful people, and broke through my own shell. I am deeply grateful to the faculty who welcomed me so warmly when I was filled with anxiety, and to all the friends with whom I had the opportunity to create music. The scenery I saw, the music I heard, the people I met, and everything I experienced at CLA Bel Canto will surely continue to support me as I move forward in my musical journey.
In Italy, a place I visited to learn about music, I learned not only about music itself, but also about the importance of taking that first step forward on my own. I hope to carry everything I gained during these two and a half weeks with me and gently weave it into both my singing and my life in the years ahead.