Support Catya and Jack's Opera Adventure in Italy

Hello!

My name is Catherina Carrington, and my boyfriend, Jackson Naglick, and I are going to Italy this summer on an educational trip to learn opera and Italian! We are looking for help with paying expenses including tuition, housing, food, and travel. Outlined below is information about us, the program, and more!

Here is a video of one of our favorite Italian arias:

https://youtu.be/l7pMc426oOs

Here is a little bit about who I am as a singer:

I am a soprano Bachelor of Music student in my fourth year at the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Professor Dina Kuznetsova. At my school, I have been cast in four major roles, which include Aloès in Chabreir’s L’étoile, Morgana in Handel’s Alcina, Constance in Poulenc’s Dialogues does Carmélites, and La Fée in Massenet’s Cendrillon. I can't wait to learn more opera roles! I also enjoy stage managing and directing.

Here is some information about Jack:

Jack aims for sincere and meaningful artistry as a pianist and organist. Jack is currently a student at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he received the Darius Milhaud Award for exceptional creativity and versatility. Vocal collaboration is a particular area of focus for Jack. In addition to his work with the CIM vocal department, he has worked as a vocal coach and accompanist in the Cleveland area and at several summer opera festivals in the United States and Italy. Jack began studying the organ in January 2024 and serves as Organ Scholar at Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland. He is also a frequent service pianist at Suburban Temple Kol Ami. Jack’s other musical interests include composing, jazz, free improvisation, and orchestral conducting. Apart from music, Jack enjoys reading and can frequently be found in natural spaces in search of peace and birds.

Jack and I were accepted into a fabulous summer festival called La Musica Lirica! I was offered the role of Adina in L'elisir d'amore and Jack was accepted as a collaborative pianist working on all of the operas presented in the program. I first learned about L'elisir d'amore in high school when I performed one of the finale scenes. I played the confident and flirty Adina and immediately fell in love with the music and action of the scene. The variety of emotions Adina goes through as a character will be a wonderful way to work on my skills as a singing-actor. Adina’s lyricism in contrast with the bouncy and fun melodies will be a great way to work on different technical aspects and access them when necessary. Attending a program where I will be playing Adina, a career role, that I will study for years and eventually perform professionally would allow me to grow as a musician and further my artistic freedom.

La Musica Lirica is a 5 week international music festival with coaches and directors from all over the world. It is run by Brygida Bziukiewicz Kulig, a soprano that has worked all around the world. The program will allow us to refine our Italian language skills, with 20 hours of Italian class per week. I will receive two coachings every week from professionals who work at the Rossini Opera Festival. One of the coaches is Ubaldo Fabbri, whom I have worked with in the past. His skill and understanding of Italian repertoire are masterful and I know he will help me coach my Adina in a way that will be tasteful and exciting. I will also continue to study technique with voice lessons twice a week. This festival is well equipped with classical music industry leaders including renowned maestro Joseph Rescigno, who I will be working with during my performances as Adina. Performing a role twice in the little towns of Italy will mean I get to connect with Italian audiences. Language is one of my favorite aspects of singing classical music. There are so many intricacies in the Italian language that I will be able to share with native speakers.

Connection with the audience is the driving force behind my artistry. Both Jack and I are very interested in languages, and we have been studying Italian almost every day in preparation for our trip. Novafeltria is a wonderful small town to be immersed in true Italian culture. We were in the city last year for a different program and were able to speak with locals and connect to a place where opera is appreciated and understood. This small town is equipped with a jewel box theatre and a music school with many large rehearsal spaces and practice rooms, which we will be using during our time there.

The cost of this program for a vocalist is split into two American dollar payments (a total of $3,350) and two Euro payments (a total of 3,100 euros). This comes to a total of about $6,600. This tuition includes 8 voice lessons, 8 coaching sessions with Italian opera coaches, master classes, intensive Italian language classes, bus transportation to the performance venues, and a shared room. As a pianist, the cost of attendance is about $2,100. Together, Jack and I received $2,000 of scholarship so we will be paying around $8,800 in total, not including food or travel (which will amount to around $4,000).

The link to La Musica Lirica's website:

https://lamusicalirica.com/

We need help paying for any expenses! We want to learn, grow, and be artists this summer. We can only do that with your help. Please consider donating to our cause.

Donation gifts:

$25-$100, written thank you card

$100-$250, personalized video from us of a song of your choice (will be discussed)

$250 or more, 30 minute house concert (in the Cleveland area only)

I am very excited to have an incredible opportunity that will advance me and Jack's skills and help us become well-rounded artists. Singing, acting, precision of language, style, and communication are all important aspects of opera that performers must know. We will refine these skills during our time at La Musica Lirica.

Grazie mille!!!

Catya and Jack:)