EVERYTHING WAS INSIDE A BALLOON: LAURA TOSATO’S INTERNATIONAL SINGING CAMP® STORY

Laura Tosato’s journey to International Singing Camp® began on Christmas Eve, many months before she arrived in Puglia.

Under the Christmas tree, her mother had prepared a decidedly unusual gift: a giant balloon for Laura to burst. Inside was a small piece of paper bearing just a few words:

"International Singing Camp, 13–17 July 2026."

Laura did not know exactly what to expect, but her reaction was immediate.

"I didn’t know anything about it, but I cried tears of joy. What an incredible gift."

A SINGER WHO HAD NEVER STOPPED SINGING

Laura is from Vicenza, Italy, and music was already an important part of her life. She had studied singing for more than ten years and, although she had not taken lessons for a long time, she had never stopped singing regularly through her musical projects.

Before leaving for International Singing Camp®, she chose not to build up too many expectations. She likes surprises and, after all, this entire journey had begun with one.

She did, however, give herself one very clear instruction:

"Switch into sponge mode. Absorb and learn everything you can from everyone, at every moment."

Her only real concern was English. Laura wondered whether she would always be able to understand and make herself understood during an international experience shared with participants and professionals from different countries.

Once she arrived at the Camp, however, that fear gave way to music, connection and the desire to experience every moment fully.

"I was only a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to understand or make myself understood in English, but it went well!"

FIVE DAYS IN ‘SPONGE MODE’

During the Camp, Laura shared her passion with people from different parts of the world, received guidance from international professionals and listened to new voices, stories and songs.

She took part in workshops and jam sessions, learned a gospel song, felt the beat on two and four, helped as an interpreter, danced, laughed, slept very little, ate more than expected and sang almost everything.

On 17 July, at the end of the 2026 experience, she shared a photograph of herself singing during a jam session. Her accompanying words captured, with remarkable spontaneity, everything she had just lived:

"It was absolutely incredible. It was absolutely incredible. I shared my passion with people from all over the world, received valuable advice from amazing professionals, listened to voices, stories and songs, laughed wholeheartedly, learned a gospel song, took part in jam sessions, felt the beat on two and four, helped as an interpreter, danced, mispronounced names, slept very little, ate too much, sang everything and learned so much. And it was all inside a balloon. Thank you, Mum."

REDISCOVERING THE DESIRE TO STUDY

The experience did not end when the Camp was over.

Those five days rekindled something that time and everyday life had gradually pushed into the background: Laura’s desire to study again and deepen her understanding of her own voice.

"I have to admit that the Camp made me want to start studying again. It reminded me what an incredible instrument we carry within us, and how beautiful and rewarding it is to learn how to master, manage and control it."

For someone who has been singing for many years, returning to study does not necessarily mean starting again from zero. Sometimes it means looking at your voice with renewed curiosity, rediscovering its possibilities and remembering how much it can still surprise you.

This was one of the most important gifts Laura took home: not only new knowledge, but renewed motivation.

THE REAL GIFT FROM HER MOTHER

Inside that balloon were a date and the name of an experience Laura did not yet know. But it also contained all the people she would meet, the voices she would hear, the songs she would sing and everything she would rediscover about herself.

Today, if Laura had to explain what her mother truly gave her, she would not speak only about a ticket:

"What I was given was not only a ticket to an extremely educational experience and the opportunity to share it with truly wonderful people. I was given the chance to remember how deeply I love music and singing, and I believe that is a priceless gift."

Sometimes the most important gifts cannot be fully understood when we first receive them. We have to open them, move through them and live them.

For Laura, that balloon did not contain only a Camp.

It held the way back to a profound part of herself.