Excerpts from December Newsletter 2017: A Letter from Glenn Morton

Celebrating CLA '17/Preparing CLA '18

As we wrap up an extraordinary year at Classic Lyric Arts, having now accomplished 15 summer training programs in Italy and France, and approaching the milestone of our 10th year at CLA Italy, the question at the heart of our work is: what does it mean for each of us to be part of the journey of a young artist? How important is it for us to help an aspiring musician realize their potential to find a unique way to impact their world? I myself can't imagine anything more crucial. 

     It's fascinating to observe the diverse career paths of our participants; for some it's about top graduate schools, coveted young artist programs, competition prizes, professional contracts; for others it's about creating new opera companies and lecture series, obtaining professorships, a Broadway debut, a Fulbright scholarship, and even teaching music to children in the Bronx.  Success in music has a thousand pathways, but dedication to quality is the common denominator. 

     I'm starting to see that Classic Lyric Arts, as an organization, is taking on an energy of its own, fueled by the very good people who are attracted to our mission and are consequently helping us to impact the careers of our young artists more powerfully. I feel that my personal title should perhaps be curator--like someone in a gallery who chooses fine paintings and presents them at their splendid best. The curator is neither the painter nor the painting, but simply the person who understands and loves what's beautiful about them. That's how I feel about this music, these languages, these cultures, and most especially about these young artists that give us hope for the future. I'm glad to have you with us on this journey.

Alumni News: Haley Clay

Congratulations to Haley Kathleen Clay, a CLA Italy 2016 alumna.  She will attend Boston Conservatory at Berklee in the Fall to begin her candidacy as a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.

Haley is currently in Bardstown, KY performing with the award-winning Steven Foster Story.  She has worked with Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts for several seasons and has just finished a season-long contract at Florida Repertory Theatre for 2017-18 and is a graduate of Morehead State University from which she holds two degrees, a BA in Vocal Performance and a BA in Strategic Communication.

Haley is immensely thankful for the guidance of Glenn and the entire Classic Lyric Arts Italy team. With their help, she learned the power of her voice and its never-ending ability to change the world. She is so excited to take that same joy with her to Boston as she continues to pursue her career in musical theatre!

Alumni Spotlight: Jia-Jun Hong

The Chinese baritone and pianist, Jiajun Hong (nickname: Richard), studied at Guangzhou No.2 High School in Guangzhou, China (2006-2009). He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education (Grade 3.3) from Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China (2009-2013); Master of Music degree in Classical Voice Performance (as Baritone) from Manhattan School of Music in New York City (2013-2015); and his Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying also from Manhattan School of Music (2015-2017).

Jiajun Hong has worked as a piano teacher at Shanghai Five Arts Music School in Shanghai, China (March 2012-March 2013; Teaching children from 5-15 playing piano); Accompanying Pianist at Manhattan School of Music (since September 2015); and as Associate Music Director at Brooklyn Christian Church in New York (since May 2017). He was featured as a soloist for Manhattan School of Music Chamber Choir in J.S. Bach's B Minor Mass (BWV 232), under the direction of Kent Tritle (February 2014). He currently lives in New York City.  He currently serves as Extra Chorus in the Metropolitan Opera Chorus for their 2017-18 season.  Congratulations, Jiajun!

CLA Presents: Annual Fall Fundraising Gala 2017

It is a big year for CLA.  First off, we are celebrating our 10th year of programs for CLA Italy, which began in Novafeltria in 2009.  Read our artistic director's memoir of that year here.   Our alumni of La lingua della lirica and L'art du chant français came together in November to sing ensembles and arias that they performed during their time in France and Italy.  This year, we grabbed a live stream from the event.  Check it out here: 

LIVE Feed of the Annual Fall Fundraising Gala 2017

Classic Lyric Arts was live.

If you are moved by these performances, consider donating to CLA to provide program grants for all of our participants.

Until next year,

CLA Team