Meet Our 2022 Photography Faculty

Meet Karey Walter, our 2022 Photography Intensive Faculty. Karey has a Masters of Fine Art in Photography from the University of Utah, and her photographs are on display throughout the United States, Mexico, France, and Italy! Her work varies from black & white photography to classic color film to historical and landscape photography. Her photos “depict a peaceful coexistence between humans and nature,” and she has curated exhibitions for The Library of Congress, The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Tubman Museum.

Karey currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she directs the photography department at The Lovett School. We are excited to welcome Karey to Spoleto for our Photography Intensive! Applications are OPEN for the 2022 Photography Intensive, where under Karey’s guidance, students will engage in all elements of photographic practice and learn to document their own unique visual perspectives. Visit the Photography Intensive Program page for more information

Meet Our 2022 Vocal Music Faculty!

Meet our 2022 Vocal Music Faculty! Our vocalist and coach is Courtenay Budd. A Georgia native, Courtenay is a highly accomplished and awarded soprano, whose work includes everything from Handel and Bach to bel canto opera and contemporary works. She has received critical praise from The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times, just to name a few. Courtenay has performed at the National Symphony, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and more! She has even appeared on multiple recordings, and her CD Sleep is Behind the Door was named “Lullaby Album of the Year” by CDBaby.com. Courtenay now lives in New York, where she teaches at Vassar College.

Courtenay Budd is the 2022 Vocal Music Intensive vocalist and coach

Erika Switzer is our 2022 collaborative pianist and coach. Erika has performed as a collaborative pianist around the world, including at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. Erika studied and performed in Germany for seven years, during which she won numerous awards, and she has received critical praise from the New York Times and Le Monde. Erika holds a doctorate from The Juilliard School, and she currently serves on the music faculty at Bard College and the Vocal Arts Program of the Bard Conservatory of Music.

Erika Switzer is our 2022 Vocal Music Intensive collaborative pianist and coach.

We are excited to welcome Courtenay Budd and Erika Switzer as our 2022 Vocal Music Intensive Faculty! This intensive runs from July 11-20, 2022, and applications are open NOW! Visit spoletostudyabroad.org/vocal-music-intensive to learn more.

The Sacred Wood of Monteluco

 While the Duomo, castle, and aqueduct in Spoleto are probably the more recognizable and picture-worthy destinations in the city, there is a hidden gem high above that is equally as beautiful. Located at the top of Monteluco, looking down over Spoleto and the entire valley, is the Sacred Wood. A favorite retreat of St. Francis of Assisi long ago, and a perfect spot for those who love to wander in nature, the Sacred Wood is a peaceful, almost magical oasis filled with winding paths, secret stone alcoves, and twisting trees. The noise of the world fades away until all that can be heard is the rustling of the wind in the trees and the crunch of leaves underfoot. But wandering the Sacred Wood can be as exhilarating as it is calming, as travelers adventure down hidden paths and into concealed grottoes.

The Convent of St. Francis is located just beside the Sacred Wood, and was briefly a home to St. Francis himself in 1218. Those wishing to visit the Sacred Wood can either hike up from the aqueduct at the base of Monteluco, or (for an easier journey) take a bus right up to the top. There are even numerous hotels so travelers can stay right next door to this magical refuge. Spoleto Study Abroad’s students often get to hike up to the Sacred Wood, and are sure to gain artistic inspiration on the way up and when they got to the top! As one of our alumni says, “The Sacred Wood fills you with energy while restoring the soul!”

Movie Recommendation: Cinema Paradiso

Cinema Paradiso is a 1988 Italian drama film that won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. The film stars Jacques Perrin, Philippe Noiret, and Agnese Nano, and is directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The story chronicles the life of Salvatore Di Vita, and his childhood friendship with middle-aged film projectionist Alfredo, in the town of Giancaldo, Sicily.

As a child, Salvatore spends every free moment he can at the town’s movie house, Cinema Paradiso, where Alfredo teaches the boy how to project movies. Salvatore’s deep love of film grows under Alfredo’s guidance, and the projectionist pushes the boy to follow his dreams of becoming a filmmaker. Filled with friendship, romance, and nostalgia, Cinema Paradiso is regarded as a classic Italian film that is a celebration of the movie industry.

Meet 2022 Visual Arts Faculty Kaila Gottschling

Spoleto Study Abroad’s 2022 Visual Arts Intensive will be led by classically trained visual artist and educator Kaila Gottschling. Kaila lives in Charlotte, NC, but grew up in Canada surrounded by a family of professional artists. Her grandfather was a painter and printmaker; her father was a commercial photographer; and her mother was a graphic artist. 

Kaila studied at Beal Art, Canada’s oldest and most innovative art school, where she became proficient in textile design, painting, drawing, lithography, and various forms of sculpture. She earned a BFA and master’s in education from Western University, as well as an AP certification for Studio Art from the Savannah College of Art & Design.

Kaila’s work hangs in public and private venues throughout the United States and Canada, and she serves as the Visual Arts Chair at Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, NC. 

“I express myself with conventional and contemporary freedoms,” says Kaila. “I look at an individual piece as a puzzle to solve. What mediums, scale, flow, gesture will be the solution to achieving the same type of blissful mood that I felt when gazing at the subject or place.”

We can’t wait to see the beautiful and inspiring artwork students will create this summer under Kaila’s guidance! Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2022 Visual Arts Intensive. Click here to learn more about this intensive, and to apply! https://spoletostudyabroad.org/summer-visual-arts-intensive. Apply by December 1 to have the $95 application fee waived!

A Taste of Umbria: The Essence of Italian Living

Ever wonder what it would be like to learn about a new culture through its culinary traditions? Find out this summer with our Taste of Umbria: The Essence of Italian Living program! Over 10 days, students grades 9-12 will experience traditional cuisine of Umbria, learn about the rich history of Italy, and reflect on their experience in a final showcase to their peers.

The daily excursions during this program will be hands on, with students tasting many of the foods they are learning about. From gelato to olive oil to chocolate to truffles, students will learn about the history, cultivation, production, and consumption of these foods in the Umbria region. This program is a must for any young food or history lover!

A Taste of Umbria runs from July 21-30, 2022, immediately following the Summer Intensive Programs. Apply by December 1 and your $95 application fee will be waived. Apply for one of the Summer Intensives and A Taste of Umbria, and you’ll receive a 10% discount on the second tuition. 

Check out the full itinerary, and learn more about applying to the program here: https://spoletostudyabroad.org/taste-of-umbria

Meet Shana Bestock

Spoleto Study Abroad’s 2022 Acting & Performance Intensive will focus on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, and students will hone their skills and strengthen their abilities to be alive in the moment through both rigorous technique and attuned instinct.

As students work to bring their own unique creative perspective to this classic play, they will be instructed by Shana Bestock, who has directed over 200 productions with student ensembles, and overseen over 120 professional productions.

Shana is a native of Seattle, Washington, and has been directing professional and youth theater for over 25 years. Shana served as Seattle Public Theater’s Artistic and Education Director for 15 years, and she founded Penguin Productions, which engages, empowers, and creates artists through creative adventures to fuel our future.

Shana has experience with both classic and contemporary texts, and has worked with Seattle Shakespeare Company, University of Chicago, New City Theater, and many, many more. She has mentored hundreds of students over the course of her agree, and believes in giving students ownership and agency, access to professional resources, rigor, and structure in a culture of inclusiveness, fun, and faith in their ability to succeed beyond their own imaginations.

“I am always hungry for work that simultaneously challenges, stimulates, and entertains,” says Shana. “In a highly mediated world, the performing arts and literature offer an opportunity to rediscover the world, to transform isolation and communication breakdowns into stories that give our lives clarity, confidence, and compassion.”

We are thrilled to welcome Shana Bestock as our 2022 Acting & Performance Intensive faculty!

Applications are NOW OPEN! Apply by December 1 and your $95 application fee will be waived!

October: Italian Chestnut Festivals

All throughout Italy, October marks the start of dozens of festivals celebrating a popular food: chestnuts. Italy is the fourth largest chestnut producer in the world, and the largest in Europe, producing over 50,000 metric tons of the nut in 2018 alone. Italian chestnuts are known for their sweet flavor, with notes of vanilla and hazelnut, and they peel easier than many other varieties.

Italy produces the most chestnuts of any country in Europe!

Chestnut festivals across the country usually begin in early October, and can often run until the end of November. The festival in Soriano, north of Rome, is one of the earliest festivals, beginning on Saturday, September 25, and running until October 17, 2021. These festivals often involve weekend markets selling chestnuts in bulk, as well as a wide variety of dishes made with the nut. Some even include cooking contests and parades! Each festival is unique and celebrates the local history of each town or region. While Americans may think of “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” at Christmas time, to Italians, Fall is chestnut season!

Yum! Chocolate Panna Cotta Recipe

While many of us think of pizza and pasta when we think of Italian food, Italian desserts should not be forgotten! From gelato to cannoli, Italian desserts never fail to be delicious. While those desserts may be a bit more difficult to make at home, how about an easy, cool, indulgent chocolate panna cotta? Perfect for any season and any occasion, you can “dress it up” with homemade whipped cream and berries, or eat it as is.

 Chocolate Panna Cotta

·      1/3 cup whole milk

·      1/3 cup whipping cream

·      1 oz 70% dark chocolate

·      3 Tbsp sugar

·      1 ½ sheets gelatin 

Soften the gelatin in a bowl of cold water. Bring the milk to a simmer, then add the chocolate and melt together. Be sure to keep the temperature low as the chocolate melts or it can seize. Add the rest of the ingredients other than the gelatin, stir well, and bring to a near boil. Gently squeeze the excess water from the gelatin and add it to the mixture. Stir to dissolve and then turn off the heat. Pour the chocolate mixture into two ramekins, dessert bowls, or any other small dish you choose. (If you want to get fancy, lightly grease your dishes so you can turn out the panna cotta once it has cooled). Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 

MITICI Adventures: A Q&A with Andrea Muti

Whether you’re an alumni who fell in love with Central Italy through Spoleto Study Abroad, a parent of alumni who has heard endless stories about this beautiful part of an amazing country, or someone who is just bitten by a travel bug…you have to check out MITICI Adventures!

A subsidiary of Spoleto Study Abroad, MITICI Adventures is the Muti family’s latest venture that brings travelers an authentic Italian experience through private group tours throughout Central Italy. Sample Itineraries are available to spark your imagination, but you can customize your own tour to create a travel experience that is completely unique to your group. Andrea Muti will be your main point of contact and together, you will come up with an ideal itinerary that best suits your group’s needs. Travelers will be able to completely immerse themselves in the region’s rich culture, learning about and experiencing its food, art, people, and more.

We sat down with Andrea to learn a bit more about the drive behind MITICI Adventures.

Q: Why did you create MITICI Adventures?

A: I created MITICI adventure because I wanted to create authentic experiences for tourists. I want them to see and experience Italy the way I see and live it. I want to share with them the most peculiar and beautiful things and products that my land has to offer but that are not necessarily always advertised for tourists who come to Italy for the first time. 

Q: What most excites you about bringing groups of travelers to Italy?

A: Something that most excites me is the idea that I am not simply taking tourists to visit iconic places. With MITICI I am excited about the idea of sharing my world with those who have the interest to explore it. The places that I include in the experience are not necessarily so-called touristic places, but they are part of my identity and they represent what I love the most of my country.

Q: What do you hope people get out of their experience with MITICI Adventures?

A: I hope that people leave having experienced something unique and with a new understanding of what authenticity means when applied to Italy. I hope they may leave thinking that there is much more history and beauty in small towns than in a big touristic city. And I hope they leave with an appreciation for truly authentic Italian food.

Visit the MITIC Adventures website to learn more about this unforgettable travel experience!

Meet Lorenzo Muti

Jill and Lorenzo Muti founded Spoleto Study Abroad in 1997 and have served as its co-directors since then. Lorenzo is a native of Spoleto, and as a celebrated maestro, has conducted orchestras from Rome to London to Washington, not to mention for both the Italian and American Spoleto Festivals. But Lorenzo has even more talents: he is an expert in music history and opera, and taught for over fifteen years at Duke University. 

We are honored to have Lorenzo to lead and teach our students every summer in Spoleto. Over the past several years, Lorenzo has been passing his knowledge onto his nephew, Andrea, who is also from Spoleto! So, students who attend our intensive programs have the unique opportunity to not only learn Italian music and art history from an expert, but also to learn about the beautiful city of Spoleto from two native Spoletini. This local expertise and connection through generations is one of the many things that makes Spoleto Study Abroad so unique from other summer abroad programs!

Book recommendation: The Path to the Spiders’ Nests

Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno or The Path to the Spiders’ Nests is a 1947 novel by Italian writer Italo Calvino. Set in World War II Italy, this coming-of-age story follows Pin, an orphan in a town on the Ligurian coast in northwest Italy. Pin spends his days at a seedy bar where he amuses the adult patrons. But after he steals a pistol from a Nazi sailor, Pin falls in with a partisan group. This story tackles complex and serious topics through the eyes of a child.

“I enjoyed this coming-of-age story because of Pin’s perspective,” says Spoleto Study Abroad board member, Anna White Hosea. “He is a child striving to make it in an adult’s world, and Pin shows up as a rascal and imp.”

Author Italo Calvino was born in Cuba in 1923 to Italian parents, who moved back to Italy when Italo was two-years-old. The Path to the Spiders’ Nests was his first novel, but Calvino would go on to write over a dozen more, along with numerous short stories. At the time of his death in 1985, Calvino was the most translated contemporary Italian writer.

Brief History of Spoleto

Spoleto Study Abroad has been around for 24 years, but the beautiful, ancient city of Spoleto has existed far, far longer, with the first historical mention being in the 2nd century BC. Just 78 miles from Rome, 39 miles from Perugia, and 28 miles from Assisi, Spoleto has long been a strategically located city. As such, it has changed many hands over the centuries, from the Romans to the Holy Roman Empire to even the French under Napoleon’s rule. 

Through Spoleto Study Abroad’s various programs, groups will get to see many breathtaking historical sights throughout Spoleto, thanks to the city’s long and rich history. The Ponte delle Torri is a 13th century aqueduct that anyone who has ever visited Spoleto will surely remember. The Rocca Albornoziana overlooks the whole of Spoleto; though now a museum, it has served as a fortress for a 14th century cardinal and as a prison.

Just as important as its historic architecture is Spoleto’s rich culture of the arts, one of the major draws of the Spoleto Study Abroad programs. Across Italy, you can find museums that pay homage to talented artists and sculptors and composers. But in Spoleto, the annual Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) has become an extremely important cultural event. Started in 1958, the Festival brings together music, theater, and dance for three full weeks of celebration of the arts.

This is so much more history you can learn about Spoleto when you attend one of Spoleto Study Abroad’s programs, and we can’t wait to have you back very soon! 

Do you know your Spoleto history?

Head over to our Instagram Story and test your Spoleto knowledge!

Take the Quiz!

#1: When was Spoleto Study Abroad Founded?

a.     1990

b.     1995

c.     1997

d.     2000

#2: Which of these cities is NOT relatively close to Spoleto?

a.     Perugia

b.     Assisi

c.     Rome

d.     Venice

#3: Which of these empires/nations has NEVER ruled Spoleto?

a.     Spain

b.     France

c.     Roman Empire

d.     Holy Roman Empire

#4: What is the name of Spoleto’s historic 3-week long art festival?

a.     Festival of Umbria

b.     Festival of the Two Worlds

c.     Spoleto Art and Music Festival

d.     Festival of the Rocca

#5: What would you be most excited for when visiting Spoleto?

a.     Visiting historical architectural sites

b.     Witnessing the breathtaking scenery of nature

c.     THE FOOD!!

d.     All of the above

Head over to our Instagram Story for the answers!

Missing Italy? Try this easy, fresh tomato sauce recipe!

What a year! All of us at Spoleto Study Abroad have greatly missed welcoming to Spoleto the many students and adults who attend our summer programs. We cannot wait for next summer, when hopefully our programs can resume with gusto, and we can share just how special Spoleto, Italy is with so many people.

Until then, as we all surely long to travel, we want to bring a small taste of Italy to you. Try this delicious and simple recipe for fresh tomato sauce (only 5 minutes of cooking!) and let us know what you think!

Fresh Tomato Sauce (serves 2-3)

•  500 gr or 1 lb San Marzano or plum or cherry tomatoes (we prefer San Marzano)

• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped or mashed with a garlic press

• 5 basil leaves

• 300 g or 10 oz pasta (spaghetti or fettucine would work best)

• A pinch each of sugar and salt

If using plum or San Marzano tomatoes, pop in the microwave or in boiling hot water until the skin splits. Peel and chop roughly. If using cherry tomatoes, chop each into two to four pieces. Using a shallow pan, sautée the garlic in olive oil over low heat. Do not brown the garlic. Add some chile pepper if you want a spicy sauce. Increase heat, add tomatoes, and sautée until they are warmed through. Sprinkle with a pinch of sugar and salt. Switch heat off and add basil leaves. Meanwhile cook the spaghetti until al dente, strain, and transfer the pasta in the pan that holds the sauce. Turn on the heat and quickly stir so that the juice of the sauce is partly absorbed by the pasta. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and serve with parmesan or pecorino cheese on the side.

Enjoy!

Faculty Spotlight: Karey Walter

"I strive to capture moments of beauty and magic."

Karey Walter is a fine art photographer whose work resonates with images that depict a peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. Her photographs vary from traditional black & white photography, historical photographic processes, classic color film, and digital photography documenting people and the landscapes from across the United States, Mexico, South America, and Europe.

Her photographs are on display throughout the United States, Mexico, Italy, and France. In addition to creating photography, she has taught a variety of different workshops. Savannah College of Art & Design, The Rocky Mountain School of Photography, Spoleto Study Abroad, The Pozos Art Project, Atlanta Celebrates Photography, MediaNOLA, The Global Online Academy, The Society of Photo Educators, Art and Science in the Ecuadorian Rain Forest, Clemson University, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and The High Museum of Art. She has curated unique exhibitions working with The Library of Congress, The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, and the Tubman Museum. Published photographs are in Shots Magazine, Square Magazine, Focal Plan Magazine, Don't Take Pictures Magazine, and a book called “Inspired Georgia."

Karey Walter has a Masters of Fine Art in Photography from The University of Utah and a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art Photography and Painting from Western Carolina University.

She was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where she directs the photography department at The Lovett School.

Karey is the Photography Intensive faculty for the Spoleto Study Abroad 2021 summer session.

www.kareywalter.com