Summer 2024: Belmont Performers Share their Voices with Global Audiences

College of Music and Performing Arts offers various summer study abroad trips to enhance student learning

This summer, students from Belmont's College of Music and Performing Arts (CMPA) had the opportunity to take their talents around the world through several study abroad programs. From soaking up musical traditions in Puerto Rico to theatrical immersion in Northern Ireland to operatic training in Italy, these experiential learning adventures allowed Belmont's performers to grow as artists and global citizens. 

Voxology in Europe 

Members of Belmont's Voxology group, along with Bell Tower scholars and faculty members, traveled to England, Luxembourg, Belgium and Cambridge in May and June. The centerpiece of their journey was the TransAtlantic Dialogue conference in Luxembourg, where the theme was "Soft Power in Uncertain Times: Building Bridges for Culture, Diplomacy, Peace, Trust & Compassionate Leadership." 

The group, consisting of eight singers, their director and additional faculty, performed their gospel repertoire at the conference. Naari Kenebrew, a rising junior and commercial voice major, highlighted the unique opportunity to interact with attendees from various countries and professions. 

"It was really cool seeing our faculty participate in panel discussions," Kenebrew said. "They talked about 'Harmony Across Borders' and how music has impacted their individual lives." 

The trip provided numerous opportunities for cultural exchange and impromptu performances. In Luxembourg, the group spontaneously sang for their tour guide and fellow tourists. "We got a chance to sing in different places with pianos, like during a city tour and at an observation deck," Kenebrew recalled. "We even met someone who knew one of our songs, which was a great chance to connect through music." 

For many students, including Kenebrew, it was their first time traveling internationally. The experience offered more than just musical growth. "It really opened my eyes to the privilege we have here in America for freedom of expression," Kenebrew reflected. "Hearing stories from people in other countries made me appreciate how music can touch people's lives in such profound ways across different cultures." 

The trip also fostered closer relationships among the Voxology members, Bell Tower scholars and faculty. "Getting to know faculty and staff members like Dr. Carshonda Martin, assistant provost of student success and flourishing, in a more personal way was a great experience," Kenebrew added. "It really embodied Belmont's idea of cultivating the whole person, not just the student." 

Chorale's Puerto Rican Outreach 

Belmont's Chorale ensemble spent 10 days in May traversing Puerto Rico, sharing music through performances, cultural exchanges and service projects. Their journey took them from the southern city of Ponce to the western beach town of Mayagüez with stops at the University of Puerto Rico branches in each location. 

The students gave joint concerts with the university choirs, blending repertoire that spanned languages and cultures. One piece in particular, Dr. Jeffery Ames' original Puerto Rican blessing "La Oración," became a special way for the group to unite with local audiences. 

"Our tour guides were so eager to have us sing at random sites like the Mayagüez Cathedral. You could tell music really impacted people profoundly in those moments," said Calista Morrison, a senior commercial music student on the trip.   

In addition to performing, the Chorale students got hands-on with service work. They spent a day refurbishing housing for low-income families through Habitat for Humanity, closing their project by serenading future homeowners with "La Oración." 

"I realized that even though none of the University of Puerto Rico singers were music majors, they were so passionate about singing together and making music," Morrison said. "It reminded me not to take for granted the ability I have to study music in an enriching environment like Belmont." 

Theatrical Spirit in Northern Ireland 

Laura Walker, a BFA theatre performance major with a dance minor, shared highlights from the theater students' study abroad trip to Northern Ireland and London. The two-and-a-half-week program was designed for theater performance majors and film minors, focusing on the differences between classical training in the UK and American collegiate programs. 

The journey began in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where students participated in workshops at the Lyric Theatre and explored natural wonders like the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge and Giant's Causeway. From Belfast, the group traveled to London, where they engaged in various workshops at prestigious institutions, including the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).  

One standout experience was a Shakespeare workshop at LAMDA. "In just a few short hours, this man who works at LAMDA taught us so much about Shakespeare that our minds were blown," Walker said. "It was like learning a semester's worth of content in three hours." 

In addition to intensive workshops, the students attended numerous theatre performances, including 10 shows as part of the trip and additional shows in their free time. The students also visited Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, where they attended performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

Walker emphasized the enriching group dynamics and the opportunity to see how different individuals reacted to the shows and workshops. "It was fascinating to see how our diverse backgrounds influenced our interpretations and discussions," she said. "We grew closer as a group and learned so much from each other's perspectives." 

The trip was led by Associate Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance Brent Maddox who has guided multiple theatre trips. His expertise and familiarity with the program added depth to the experience.  

Through this immersive journey, Belmont's theatre students gained a deeper appreciation for the global theatre community and the rich traditions that shape their craft. 

Operatic Undertakings in Lucca 

While not a Belmont-sponsored program, several voice students from the School of Music spent their summer receiving intensive operatic training in Lucca, Italy. The program centered around preparing classical performers to work in a professional, international environment, with special focus on studying and performing iconic works in and around the hometown of composer Giacomo Puccini.   

Among those making the journey as a student was CMPA graduate admissions coordinator Angela Stenzel, who played a lead role in the program's production of Puccini's operetta "Gianni Schicchi." The comprehensive summer curriculum also included Italian language study and supplementary training in opera scenes. 

“My time with Opera Lucca has been nothing short of wonderful! I have been thoroughly engaged in the rehearsal process while getting the opportunity to work one-on-one with the incredible coaches on refining my personal sound,” Stenzel offered. “The musicians I get to work with are motivating and supportive, and I feel I’m creating long lasting connections in the Opera world. This young artist program has given me the space to experience what a professional career will look like and what I should plan to expect, and I am so grateful to my professors at Belmont for encouraging me to audition.” 

Whether fusing genres in Northern Ireland, embracing Puerto Rican traditions or embodying the Italian opera canon, Belmont's globetrotting student performers walked away from their summer journeys with broadened perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the unifying power of the arts.