I went to Italy to study the piano, but I returned with a symphony of experiences that transcended the boundaries of traditional sheet music. My trip to Acqui Terme, a small town in Italy, took place for two weeks from the middle to end of July. Together with other students, we practiced our own pieces with our differing instruments individually and in the final days performed in front of others.

I went to Italy to further my musical education as well as my skills in piano. Italy has a rich musical history and can offer some relief from the day-to-day grind of the New York streets. Italy has contributed to the development of opera, the concerto, the sonata and various other genres of music. Italy has also had a rich history of composers, such as Gioacchino Rossini, who set new standards for both comic and serious opera, and Claudio Monteverdi, who is considered as a crucial transitional figure between the Renaissance and Baroque periods of music history.

During my trip, I attended multiple performances ranging from piano, viola, cello and much more in locations such as the Chiesa Santo Spirito church. I witnessed interesting master classes where professional musicians corrected and advised students that were not their own. Italian culture influenced my musical perspective as well as that of my fellow students through its easy-going, yet passionate feel.

There is a strong connection between Italian art, architecture, and music. In Renaissance Italy, visual art often depicted music, such as in altarpieces, paintings, and portraits. These depictions reflected and influenced the musical culture of the time. As musical performances became more common in palaces, whole rooms dedicated to music were becoming increasingly important.

The trip made me more confident in my skills and gave me a holistic view of how both piano music and other kinds of music actually work. The trip was a huge culture shock, not only because it presented a stark contrast to New York in terms of temperature, but also because the ubiquity of cars and the unhurried pace of pedestrians were revelations I had not foreseen.

I encourage you to embark on trips with organizations such as InterHarmony, where you can enjoy rich Italian cultural traditions ranging from coastal villages to small towns near Turin, and perhaps even indulge in some sushi along the way.