East Texas A&M University senior music major Lynzie Van Fleet recently returned from a month-long stay in Italy, where she performed opera and honed her craft as a musician.

Van Fleet took part in Opera Seme, a young artist residency program that aims to give vocalists and pianists an immersive Italian experience through language study, cultural exploration, lessons, masterclasses, special topics workshops, and performances. Hosted at the Spazio Seme International Artistic Center in Arezzo, Italy, Opera Seme was founded by ETAMU Assistant Professor Matthew Schloneger.

A senior from The Woodlands, Texas, Van Fleet is earning her B.A. in Music with a minor in Corporate Management. Following her graduation, she plans to found her own private voice studio, as she enjoys teaching students one-on-one.

While at Opera Seme, Van Fleet participated in masterclasses with about 40 other students and performed in five showings of Mozart's opera “Così fan Tutte,” in which she played Dorabella, a main role. Van Fleet was familiar with the role, having previously played it in East Texas A&M's own production of “Così”.

She described performing for Italian audiences—especially in a place as rich in artistic and creative history as the Tuscan town of Arezzo—as a very different feeling from performing for audiences back home.

“It's a lot more intimidating since they know the language much better than we do,” Van Fleet said. “But the way they receive the work is also very different. They have a great appreciation for opera.”

She added that the opportunity to perform in Italy was a dream come true, and she can see herself returning for a future visit.