Voice students from The South Carolina School of the Arts Conservatory of Music at Anderson University traveled to the Italian medieval hilltop town of Todi to study under a faculty composed of internationally renowned voice teachers and coaches.
Bel Canto in Todi, Italian for “Beautiful Singing,” is an intensive two-week musical experience taking place July 19 through August 2 and is currently in its second year. It is the creation of Anderson University Voice Professor Deirdre Welborn and Kathleen McKellar Ferguson of the Royal Conservatory of Scotland.
Accompanying Professor Welborn at Bel Canto in Todi were Anderson University students Katelyn Cohee, Candace Mbugua and Aubri Strutz.
Each day the students walked the hilly streets overlooking Todi and the Italian countryside to spend their days in Italian language class and masterclasses, followed by hours of rehearsals. The experience included three performances: An Art Song concert, featuring songs written by composers throughout music history for voice and piano from the art song canon; the Oratorio concert, which featured sacred songs from oratorios and was sung in the 1,400 year-old Santa Maria cathedral; and finally, the Opera Gala, featuring arias and duets from the world of opera.
The students learned not only how to stretch themselves as singers, but also how to become more fluent in Italian—a necessity when encountering others who speak little or no English.
Through the whole process everyone developed a camaraderie that continues past their return home. They also appreciated the friendly Todi residents who hosted them and came out to their performances. Between classes, practices and concerts were chances to take a gelato break to take the edge off the hot Italian summer or enjoy amazing Italian food and hospitality.
Bel Canto in Todi offers immersion in a country that has contributed much of the world’s opera and classical culture. At the same time, students were among a supportive group of faculty who would push them to be their best as musicians and classmates who were invaluable as they adjusted to their new surroundings.
At Bel Canto in Todi, Strutz made an amazing discovery about herself.
“I remember the second master class that I was in, my voice completely transformed… from a little girl voice to a full woman opera voice,” said Strutz, grateful for the encouragement she received from faculty members and classmates. Strutz sees her singing as a form of worship. When she was facing health issues while in high school, she found her music as a wonderful way to glorify God.
At Bel Canto in Todi, students received instruction to improve their vocal technique and musicality. But it’s not enough to sing a song that is technically perfect; the students also learned the importance of performing music as artistry that comes from the heart.
“It was lovely meeting people that are so like-minded and so kind and so willing to be supportive and to be helpful,” said Cohee. “Those women really made my experience, as a musician having colleagues that I can call at any point now and say, ‘Hey, I’m really working on this piece and struggling here, what would you do?’ Those are really valuable connections that I built through that program.”
Mbugua grew up playing instruments and singing in a church choir.
“I think it was after a recital once in my sophomore year of high school that I decided I wanted to pursue music professionally and in college,” she said.
Mbugua feels enriched by her experience abroad, commenting, “Rather than being overwhelming, it’s enriching… It is an exceptional way to find yourself as an individual, to grow as a person, to meet new and different things, and to be met with different challenges.”
“It’s the most inspiring and humbling experience you will ever have,” said Strutz. “And whether you want to live abroad or not, it’s so worth it and you’ll get connected to some of your best friends through it.”
Cohee, who plans to continue her studies in vocal performance and choral conducting, enjoyed interacting with faculty from across Europe and Australia.
The students also got to view iconic Italian sites at Rome and other places, which included St. Francis Basilica in Assisi.
While in Todi, the students stayed with host families, giving them a true taste of Italian life beyond what any hotel could offer.
“My host parents lived on an olive vineyard that they work and run themselves,” said Cohee. “Their hospitality and kindness were a highlight of my stay.”Strutz quips that she and Mbugua stayed with a lady who was like a grandmother to them and was pleased that they could overcome some of the language barriers with her as their stay progressed.
About the Conservatory of Music
The South Carolina School of the Arts Conservatory of Music at Anderson University offers rigorous musical training in a wide variety of musical traditions, including Classical, Musical Theater, and Commercial Music.