At CLA, they value and care about every single participant, which is something you could not only see, but feel. - Elena Paul, CLA Bel Canto 2026
Elena Paul
Family, grace and resonance. These were the three main ingredients of CLA Bel Canto 2026.
Family:
Stepping into Teatro Sociale di Novefeltria for the first time, we were introduced to Glenn, Ubaldo, John, Raphael, and Daniel, being embraced wholly by the little town we’d call “home” for the next 2.5 weeks. They handed notebooks out to everyone (including the faculty/staff) with a handwritten note from Glenn (plus a handmade card by the Programs & Marketing Assistant, Sofia Durante).
Now, let’s not forget the food. Our first proper meal was held at the Bar Centrale, where Ubaldo and his wife, Aldona, in addition to some of the other local restaurants, prepared an absolute feast for us. Everywhere you looked, food was being passed around or encouraged by others to take. Rest assured, no one left feeling hungry!
A meal at “Madama Dorè in Novafeltria
Special thanks to LatteVino, Gelateria la Piazzetta, Jolly la Matta, and Madama Dorè for hosting and feeding me, and my forever friends…. almost every day. Our friendship wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for this program, these restaurants and, quite frankly, our first day off (I’m still dreaming of that “watering hole” up the river in town and hope to come back sometime soon…)!
From the very beginning, I understood why so many of this year’s participants came back for a second year. I understood completely, because CLA is a family. Since the very moment I stepped into my NYC audition, I was welcomed with open arms. At CLA, they value and care about every single participant, which is something you could not only see, but feel. And, like any family, it will continue to grow. So, when talented musicians like Donata D’Annunzio Lombardi, Ana Maria Labin, and Eva Summerer were introduced to us throughout the program, I left Novafeltria, feeling like I made strong, genuine, everlasting artistic connections.
Raphael Fusco, Elena Paul, and Ana Maria Labin
Working with Ana Maria Labin and Raphael Fusco was a particular highlight for me, because I had the opportunity to sing a piece I loved (“Deh, vieni” from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro) with two very intelligent, kind, and down-to-earth professionals. It was the first time I ever felt so comfortable in a masterclass setting. I improved so much being on stage with them and, because I was with two people from the CLA family, there was no reason to feel nervous or stressed.
Grace:
“We are going to meet you where you’re at.” This is what Glenn, Ubaldo, John, Raphael and Daniel emphasized on the first day. It was their mantra.
(2026 CLA Bel Canto Artists
So, whenever you went into a coaching, whether it was individual or group coaching, there was no pressure to be “perfect.” The faculty encouraged me, helped whenever I asked, and addressed my concerns. Whenever I made a mistake (and Lord knows I made a TON), they showed me grace. But, most importantly, they challenged me to show up and show out every single day. The coachings were only 25 minutes long, but man… do they use every millisecond of them. My peers and I learned so much in just that short amount of time. And the coaches were thorough. Every pitch, every syllable, every phrase, every gesture. They had to mean something. After all, we’re in Italy performing their repertoire. We had to bring our A game. And this included our Italian classes. We all strived to do our best and soaked up as much information as we could. Vania, our Italian teacher, was patient and simply could not wait to share her knowledge with everyone; the more questions, the better, haha! She actually came all the way out to Sant’Agata Feltria for our third performance, and her presence meant a lot… sealing her place in the CLA family.
Resonance:
The 2026 CLA Bel Canto Artists
When Sofia Durante mentioned “morning chant with Glenn” during a Zoom meeting a few months prior to the program, I was like: “Huh? Did I hear that right?” Then, when I stepped into the first chant session, I realized just how much my life would change from this exercise. Chanting helped me discover something deeper than my “true sound” or “natural resonance.” It helped me redefine peace and awareness. That in combination with the breathing exercises John introduced us to, was the perfect way to start each day. I walked into each coaching with a sense of purpose and passion, confidence and openness.
The concerts, and our four different venues were straight out of a fairytale, but - honestly, it was the people, and their energy that made this program for me.
I am forever changed. Thank you, CLA 2026 <3