Fund Gisselle's Summer Opera Program in Milan

Hi!!

I am excited to announce that I have been accepted into a young artist program called “si parla, si canta” this summer 2025, taking place in Milan, Italy. This 4-week program is a highly individualized program of study with an unparalleled voice and coaching faculty in a minimum of 5 sessions each week. There will also be a special focus on synthesis of Italian style, diction, language, and technique with a predominantly native Italian and European-based faculty. I will also be able to study and perform a variety of opera scenes and arias from the Italian repertoire in some the most cherished venues in northern Italy, including the historic Casa Verdi in Milano. This program will enhance my understanding of the italian language and prepare me for my next two shows: Mozarts, Don Giovanni and Le nozze di Figaro.

I could really use some help covering expenses for my move to Baton Rouge (grad school) and for the trip to Italy. My goal is to have about $8,000 saved to cover plane tickets, tuition, room & board, and moving expenses. I’m currently working full time as a substitute teacher and teaching music lessons to make this trip a reality. I appreciate any and all donations!

A little bit about myself:

Soprano Gisselle Salinas is a performers certificate student and private music teacher in the Jacksonville area. She earned her Bachelors in Music Education, from University of North Florida and currently studies with Dr. James Hall. This past fall, she placed 1st in UNF’s Annual Opera Aria Competition and has been a frequent member of the UNF Opera Theater. She has performed in The Mikado, Second Witch in Dido and Aeneas, Così fan tutte, Mother in Hansel and Gretel, Héro in Béatrice and Bénédict, Mimì in an adaptation of La Bohème and now the title role of The Merry Widow. This past summer, she traveled to Miami Music Festival to cover the role of Sister Rose in Dead Man Walking while also fulfilling the role of assistant stage manager and props master. She is very excited to attend the Italian summer program of “Si parla, si canta” in Milan,Italy. She will also be performing the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni this summer with the Winter Harbor Music Festival in Maine. Gisselle has recently been accepted at Louisiana State University to earn her Masters degree in Vocal Performance.