Retreat…..
While progressing forward !

Expect Newness.
__________________________

Rhonda's story on choosing Casperia

To read the finer details about how my husband Lee deLisle and I came to know Casperia and have subsequently chosen it for the masterclass, please refer to my website article "Bella Italia" at Bellaitalia.htm

Here are the highlights: two years ago, we decided to buy a home in Italy. After looking at 30 houses from the ocean to the mountains, we found what we were looking for in the very last house we viewed. It is located in the village nearest Casperia, called Roccantica. When we stepped out onto the terrace, the beauty of the view made me start to cry, and I knew we had found what we were looking for: a place to experience, not just a 'house'. From the vantage point of this mountain-town terrace, you can see as far as the eye can see. Below us, all the terracotta rooftops cascade downward, street after ancient street, following the slope of the mountain they are built upon. And since there are only 500 residents to this town, we feel privileged to be there, as if we are permitted to take part in a secret. The town turned out to be far more than the initial indications, as every year Roccantica presents a great Medieval Festival, which we now participate in. Additionally, the town is full of wonderful musicians!

Nearby in Casperia, many people from Great Britain own homes. This offers socializing with other English-speaking people if you are not fluent in Italian (as I am not... yet).

I hope you will join us for this very unique opportunity to enjoy music and life in a very special place!
---- Rhonda
__________________________________________

Live, Learn, Practice, and Make Music
...in the ancient village of
Casperia, Italy

Casperia is conveniently located one hour Northwest of Rome, in the region of Lazio. Step into this enchanting ancient era and recognizea more reflective and conscious way of living. You will enjoy the quietness of Casperia from it's mountain-top location, making it a vehicle-free village of narrow, winding streets.

There are many activities to enjoy in the surrounding area each day during siesta (free time after lunch): practice; visit surrounding unspoiled hill towns including Roccantica and Cantalupo; stroll in the country-side; climb the Sabina mountains; relax at the local swim and tennis club, or simply enjoy the Italian life style, absorbing the sights and sounds in a leisurely manner.

Why THIS Masterclass?
Would you like to overcome lingering performance fears, be more confident in your performance skills, and learn to use positive feedback in the messages that play through your head while you practice? Or perhaps you feel like you are doing everything right, but could use some professional feedback? THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU!

You will not get 'beat up' in this masterclass! As Rhonda puts it, "We play music and the flute because we LOVE it, because it feeds our soul. We must foster this joy and love! It is my job to build up the player, to teach them HOW to believe in themselves. To discover, together, their Best Self, their inner strength, and then teach how to perform from THERE. Ultimately, what I teach is how to live life boldly, deeply, thoughtfully, and freely, using flute as the key to those doorways."

Classes and Activities
Each morning will begin with full group participation, performers and auditors alike, with flutes and without. This will include some gentle physical stretching/warm-up led by Rhonda. Emphasis here will be on the use of the body in playing flute, exercises for rhythm, and guided playing by ear, while also offering method-styles of how to practice. This will be followed by the standard masterclass format of listening to individual performers. Besides the philosophical approach previously mentioned (Why THIS masterclass?), emphasis will be on the Art of Performance, in all its many aspects, including stage presence, breathing, and freeing your playing.

We are happy to have the use of the most elegant La Tacita club, nestled between Casperia and Roccantica. This stunning estate offers us their magnificent and expansive grounds where they grow over 4,500 varieties of roses. Indoors, we will be provided with a complete air-conditioned environment for our week of masterclass work---a real bonus in the August heat! We will also dine at their Ristorante Naturale for lunch (pranzo) four of the seven days.

Repertoire
All repertoire is welcome except avant-garde music. If you are applying as a Performer, we ask that you consider choosing music for the final public performance night that is pleasing and generally accessible to a local Italian audience. Besides this performance piece, you will be playing at least one other selection for masterclass work. Come with three pieces prepared.

What does coming prepared mean?
Coming prepared means you already fully know your music with accompaniment. The masterclass is not the place to learn your piece, or to play your piece with piano for the first time. We expect you will have studied your music thoroughly, which affords you the highest opportunity to work on the deepest levels during this week in Italy.

We are thrilled to announce that Deborah Gross will return for this years masterclass as our pianist! Deborah attended the Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia, PA, USA), and is not only a marvelous player, but a beautiful human being. In your work with her, you will benefit from her vast experience from a pianist's perspective, as well as her musical instinct which has its basis in "music for the love of music". We are thrilled to have her as part of our foundation of this class!

Practicing
There will be several different locations in the village in which to do some private practicing. Imagine yourself playing in either of the two Renaissance churches in the town, having it all to your self while your notes waft up to the vaulted ceiling and become a part of this ongoing history! (You can see one of the churches' tower at the very top of the town in the picture of Casperia at top of page).

Transportation
Purchase of plane tickets should be made to arrive into Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport. From inside the terminal, keep your luggage cart if you are using one, and follow signs to the train station, via an elevator. (Very easy!). Choose the train that lists "Poggio Mirteto". They have frequent trains, so you will eventually get one. You will have previously informed us of your arrival time, so you will be met at Poggio Mirteto and driven to Casperia. If we don't know when you are coming in, we won't know to pick you up...If you are traveling from America, you will need to depart on August 3 to arrive August 4. Your departure will be on August 11.

Additional and Alternative Activities
--Your week begins with a welcoming reception dinner at La Torretta. This 16th century palazzo B & B will be your home for the week. (Visit La Torretta website)

--Daily classes will take place at La Tacita.

--An evening with Rhonda Larson In Concert.

--Enjoy an optional one day trip to ROME to experience the sights and sounds of the major outdoor sites with a guided tour from Lee deLisle.

--Experience a unique olive oil and wine tasting event with the world famous Sabina oils and Italian wines.

--Play in the PERFORMANCE NIGHT for the whole community, as a gift to them.

--Enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

World-wide Participants
Performers and auditors from all over the world are encouraged to attend. Since this masterclass will take place in English, we will do our best to find you a translator for your particular language, if necessary. Preferably, we will make special arrangments/considerations for you if you are able to bring along your own translator.

Tuition
Performers: 635 euro
Auditors: 485 euro

Double Room: 465 euro. (Shared bathrooms) Includes breakfasts, Welcome reception dinner, Farewell dinner, and four lunches at La Tacita.

Single Room: 745 (very few available). Includes breakfasts, Welcome reception dinner, Farewell dinner, and four lunches at La Tacita.

Please note: not all rooms will be located in La Torretta. As registration fills, guests will be placed in other local accomodations.

In order to keep the class intimate and allow performers to play at least twice in masterclass, we are limited to 10 performers.

Auditor numbers are not limited.

Application deadline is April 25, 2008. Final payment will be due upon notification
of participation. There will be no refunds of tuition after July 1, 2008. Please note: Early application is strongly advised:
1. Preference will be given on a first-reserved basis;
2. Currancy exchange rates fluctuate daily, and it is adviseable to lock it in earlier rather than later...

Currency rate exchanges determined on day of application submission. Click HERE for exchange rates.

2008 Larson Italy Masterclass Application Form

_________CContact us if you have any questions! We are
happy to hear from you.
info@rhondalarson.com

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