TL
Timothy Lupia
  • economics
  • Class of 2016
  • Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Timothy Lupia Receives Arnold Grant to Study Opera in Italy

2015 Dec 15

Timothy Lupia of Mechanicsburg, , is one of two students who received an Arnold Grant to facilitate a trip to study at "Opera Viva!" in Verona, Italy last summer. Lupia, a graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, is pursuing a bachelor of arts in economics and music at The Valley.

Thanks to the generosity of the Arnold Grant program, the pair studied Italian opera and language, as well as how to prepare concert repertoire in a master class. They also traveled to several opera houses to see various performances.

The students learned about the opportunity through Dr. Mark Mecham, professor emeritus of music, who had a friend visiting campus that teaches at "Opera Viva!," and who invited them to audition.

During those three weeks, their class time included the process for learning an opera scene and the importance of proper translation before you start to sing. The students had taken a year of Italian, but said "Opera Viva!" provided a baptism by fire with a complete immersion in the language.

The students had a chance to see success in person, visiting numerous opera houses for performances. Both students appreciate the opportunity they were given and have told other LVC students about "Opera Viva!," even those who aren't planning a career in that field.

The students are utilizing their newfound skills as they finish out their final year at The Valley and plan for the future.