Class of 2027
B.A. in Philosophy and Minor in Music
This summer, I was fortunate to participate in two programs that expanded both my musical and language skills: the American European Federation (AEF) and the Vienna International Music Academy (VIMA). At AEF, I focused on improving my opera technique and studying the basics of Italian, working closely with Italian singers who brought a very authentic perspective to our lessons. Learning from them not only sharpened my vocal skills but also helped me connect more deeply with the operas, especially through the language itself. Studying Italian alongside the music made everything come alive in a more natural way, as I began to understand the flow and emotion behind the words and phrases.
The program at AEF blended liberal arts and performing arts in a way that felt balanced and practical. It wasn’t just about hitting the right notes—it was about fully embodying the meaning behind each performance, something I hadn’t fully appreciated before. The Italian singers we worked with emphasized how much of the opera is about communication and understanding and their guidance allowed me to grasp not only the technical side of singing in Italian but also the cultural and emotional depths embedded in each phrase. Their holistic approach made me feel more connected to singing opera in Italian!
At VIMA, the focus shifted more toward hands-on performance experience. I had the privilege of landing the role of Zerlina in Don Giovanni, which was performed in Italy. This role provided a valuable opportunity to put into practice the skills I had been developing. Previously, most of my opera experience had been in solo recitals or smaller group performances where my primary focus was on perfecting my own technique. However, Don Giovanni was an entirely different experience. Preparing for this production required not just personal growth but a deep sense of collaboration.
The rehearsals were extensive, with hours spent refining not only individual roles but how those roles interacted with the rest of the cast. What I quickly realized was that the success of the opera depended not only on the strength of my own performance but on how well I adapted to and communicated with my fellow performers. Each member of the cast played a vital role in creating a cohesive and engaging production, and this required a lot of listening, compromise, and support. We all worked together, troubleshooting performance issues, offering encouragement, and adjusting our timing to ensure everything flowed smoothly on stage.
This experience taught me that opera is not just about individual achievement. The audience’s appreciation comes from the collective harmony and the dynamic relationships between all the performers on stage. Working as part of such an interconnected team taught me valuable lessons about artsmanship, teamwork, and the beauty of collaboration.
These experiences at AEF and VIMA helped me grow both as a singer and as an artist. Whether it was learning Italian or experiencing being part of a real opera, I gained a broader perspective on how every element of performance comes together to create something truly special.