Camilla | Bio

Education

M.A. Candidate, Digital Musics, Dartmouth College

B.S. in Computer Science, University of Notre Dame

B.A. in Music, Vocal Performance

Minor in Italian Studies

I admire Sellars for his innovative productions and for not being afraid to experiment and push the boundaries when it comes to staging classical works, especially opera. I particularly admire his treatment of oratorio through non-conventional performance (some of my favorites include the Bach St. Matthew Passion and his Handel Theodora - I was not the same after watching these!).
For his composition, leadership, and the manner in which he continually combines music and technology (see link as an example).
Diaghilev was a Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes. The Ballets Russes would then give rise to various influential choreographers and dancers. Creating opportunities, as well as a structured venue for other artists to flourish through innovation is something I look to achieve in my future work.
For his incredible style of writing, my favorite novels including 'Se questo e` un uomo', 'Il Sistema Periodico', and 'I Sommersi ed i Salvati'. Levi comes from a scientific background, as he studied chemistry at the university level before he was taken to the concentration camps. Yet, his style of writing also shows his talent when it comes to narration and reflection.
Director of the ExCITe center at Drexel, I was referred to Dr. Kim by Nathan Gunn after a voice lesson. Dr. Kim's academic path served as an inspiration, as he pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees in both music and engineering (leading up to his PhD). His personal work and collaborations with Opera Philadelphia are a perfect example of technology applied to performance. It is also thanks to him that I came to first learn about Dartmouth's program in Digital Musics.
Me in Versailles (2014)
Handel's music, especially through his Italian oratorios and operas, is one that I have built a personal connection to - having both performed many of his arias and having produced his Resurrezione HWV 47. Handel's experience as an opera impresario is one of the aspects I admire most about his professional life in addition to his work as a composer.
Beth Morrion's leadership as a female figure that is both promoting new music and staging/directing it in an incredibly innovative way is inspirational. I encourage you to take a look at her website and admire also the visual and collaborative aspects of these performances.
Natalie Dessay's brilliance of tone, vocal agility, and acting expertise made her one of the living high-coloratura sopranos I first began to look up to. I would be lying if her smaller frame didn't also serve as a personal inspiration: proving that not all opera singers must fit a certain physical appearance. Especially incredible are her interpretations of the operatic roles of Donizetti's Lucia and Offenbach's Olympia.
Pina remains remarkable for her contribution to modern dance from the 1970s forward. Her identity and leadership as a performer, choreographer, and ballet director is something I strive to emulate with classical music.
Professor Tellez's work as a conductor, mentor, and interdisciplinary artist has been the most personally influential of any faculty member I have had here at Notre Dame. And, interestingly enough, she is a professor in a department I am not officially part of (Graduate Studies). I honestly could not say enough about her work and scholarship. From being involved in her performances (the first being Voices of Light) to her upcoming Mellon projects, she has revolutionized the Sacred Music program.
Professor Montemaggi is not only an expert in his field, exploring theological elements in Dante's writings, but his style of teaching is relatable, thought-provoking, and wonderfully philosophical and spiritual. He inspired me to pursue my interest in Italian literature and taught me the importance of its impact in what it means to be human.
Giuseppe Verdi's Aida was the first opera I got to witness live - performed at the Arena in Verona. Since then I have seen 7 of his operatic titles and, even with the same opera, various productions - each with its own character and interpretation. Without a doubt, Verdi revolutionized and marked Italian Romanticism in music. In addition, his operas are among the most performed in halls all around the world. Verdi mastered the tragedy, but he also impressively succeeded in comedy (Falstaff).

My identity is that of a dual citizen, language enthusiast, musician, and engineer. Through my studies, I am seeking to advance my skills and refine my awareness of musical styles in order to create enviornments of collaboration for interdisciplinary performance, analysis, and scholarship.

Contact: camtassi@gmail.com

Full Bio

Currently reading:

• I Sommersi e i Salvati (Primo Levi) • The Inner Game of Music (Barry Green) • Titian (Ian G. Kennedy) • Processing (Casey Reas and Ben Fry)

People that inspire

me/Influences

(click to learn more)

Camilla Tassi

For his composition, leadership, and the manner in which he continually combines music and technology (see link as an example).

Me in Versailles (2014)

Beth Morrion's leadership as a female figure that is both promoting new music and staging/directing it in an incredibly innovative way is inspirational. I encourage you to take a look at her website and admire also the visual and collaborative aspects of these performances.

Pina remains remarkable for her contribution to modern dance from the 1970s forward. Her identity and leadership as a performer, choreographer, and ballet director is something I strive to emulate with classical music.