KoSA Music has been inspiring the lives of travelers who want to have a comprehensive and personalized understanding of a particular country’s culture, historical traditions, music, dance traditions, and culinary practices. The KoSA Italian Music Adventure stands as a testament to the vision of KoSA Music by the amazing workshops and events that happened in the month of July.

The KoSA, a Montreal-based events company works towards creating these first-class purposeful travel trips. After nearly three decades of experience, KoSA has a well-established reputation of expertly guiding participants to experience such places as Cuba, China, the US, and Canada. 

This summer, the KoSA team took their mastery to the scenic country of Italy for a memorable adventure. The director and founder of KoSA Music, Aldo Mazza, an internationally recognized drummer and percussionist, along with his musician wife, Dr. Jolán Kovács, were the hosts of this remarkable event. Participants from 20 to 80 years, came from across the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Brazil to soak up all aspects of this distinctive Southern Italian culture.

This week-long event took place from July 15-22 in the little village of Petrizzi, in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabrian region of Italy. Participants stayed at a splendid 15th-century restored convent: “Borgo del Convento” where they wined & dined Italian style.

The KoSA Italian Music Adventure consists of various interactive sessions which were suitable for people of all ages and levels of ability. One such class was on learning to cook traditional Southern Italian food. Master chef, Flavio Seminaroti, radiated enthusiasm and pride when explaining to his students how important the choice of flour is in making tender fresh pasta. 

The highlight for the drumming community is learning the fascinating rhythms of the tamborello which was taught by the master frame drummer Emidio Ausiello. These mesmerizing and lively rhythms went hand in hand with the dance classes taught by the talented Mariagrazia Lettieri. 

Another great workshop offered by the KoSA Italian Music Adventure included the classes of the esteemed contemporary composer Luigi Morleo who shared his knowledge of the historical evolution of traditional to modern styles of composition and performance practices of Southern Italian and Balkan music and rhythms. 

And as KoSA Music is truly a global community of artists, the KoSA Faculty in Italy was joined by the exceptional singer and percussionist Vincent De’Jon Parrette – aka Vinx. 

Vinx offered an insightful perspective on improvisation and storytelling through music and the arts. Vinx through his session demonstrated that storytelling and improvisation are a human experience that transcends all borders. 

Another interesting fact is that KoSA’s director Aldo Mazza was actually born in Southern Italy and who also specializes in the music of Cuba. In fact, Mazza shared his acumen of Cuban rhythms teaching from his highly revered method book “ Cuban Rhythms for Drumset and Percussion: The Essentials”.  He and Vinx shared the stage later at the event’s final concert mixing Cuban, African, and Italian rhythms in an unforgettable concert which also included all the participants up on stage playing in the finale number. 

Plans are already going on to make this trip an annual experience so if you missed it this time, mark your calendars for 2025!