Passaggio Participant Testimonials

Having the opportunity to study at one of the centers of classical music, the beautiful city of Salzburg, was a dream come true! As a younger singer, my favorite part about Passaggio was the personalized instruction I received throughout the program. I felt truly seen as an individual, receiving feedback specific to me in many private lessons and coachings as well as masterclasses. Also, as someone who had never studied German before, I really appreciated the German courses as they encouraged language immersion and I tried to utilize it as much as I could around the city. Being there during the Salzburg Music Festival was a fantastic addition, because we got to study music while being surrounded by its celebrations!

—Luisa Simon

Summer 2024, 4-wk Passaggio Participant

Like every young soprano, my classical music discography consisted of dozens of recordings by the renowned Barbara Bonney. From listening to her recordings as I was just beginning to learn German lieder to religiously listening to her as I prepare for an audition or recital, Barbara Bonney has always been a resource for me. Through the Passaggio program, Bonney became less a resource and more a mentor. Bonney leads singers to understand performance as second nature through her unique physical and anecdotal teaching style. My lessons with her opened my eyes to what a career in this industry would really look like. In tandem with Bonney’s lessons, Dr. Tory Browers’ collaborative teaching motivated me to let go of control and explore technique in a supportive environment. Browers remained a constant resource, encouraging students never to hesitate in reaching out with questions or for advice. 

Working under their tutelage proved to be the perfect combination as I began to understand the industry in cities such as Salzburg. Not only are you immersed in the industry through lessons and performance, but world class music is a constant in Mozart’s city. From stumbling into the Salzburger Dom during a full choir rehearsal to listening to the echos of busking musicians in Altstadt, music and inspiration is everywhere. The program’s focus on language immersion through group led lessons and private tutoring with Dana Hammet, prepares students for a career in the growing music industry of German speaking countries where knowledge of the language is a necessity. 

Passaggio offers foreign singers an inside look at the European music industry through mentorship and experience. With access to two professional recording sessions, I left the program with a full repertoire of audition recordings and an understanding of what my “next steps” could look like in starting my career. Passaggio introduced me to a new industry, differing greatly from the one I am exposed to in the states. With a fresh idea of how music is connected to the way of life in places like Salzburg, a career in performance seems more in reach than ever.  

—Maura Langella

Fall 2024, 12-wk Passaggio Participant