South Philly Review

South Philadelphia is 3,705 miles from Paris, France. The distance, however, seems like nothing to Whitman residents Christine Mello and Ben Hemsley.

“It was my first time in Europe,” Hemsley of Second Street and Oregon Avenue, said. “I thought it was wonderful and I can’t wait to go back. The people are very friendly … and it was very clean for the most part.”

Mello, a cellist, and Hemsley, a composer, spent July in an exclusive music composition and theory program held annually at Paris’ La Schola Cantorum. Acceptance is through an audition process and about 50 musicians and artists from around the globe come to France’s capital for the intensive.

“It was a great experience. It was a lot of learning, but it was nice to be in the place where it all happened,” Mello, from Second and Oregon, said. “One of the best things is that I can take it back here and use it in everyday life as a performer and a teacher.”

The two friends traveled across the Atlantic to study with some of the greatest composers in their respective fields, as well as students who put modern twists on timeless classics.While Hemsley focused on his personal compositions, Mello worked with various composers playing their works until they were satisfied with the sound.

“It was great. It was both advanced enough for musicians who are out of college and in grad school, but it focused on the basics. The program comes from a style that no matter your musical discipline, you should be well-versed in everything, a well-rounded musician,” Hemsley said. “You get to study with some of the tops composers in Europe.

“Also, there were some very fresh perspectives, ways I hadn’t thought of thinking of things before — the faculty there was presenting new ways of thinking.”

Though most hours were spent indoors soaking up knowledge, Mello and Hemsley took advantage of their limited free time to see sights such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. They even managed a train ride out to the grand castle at Versailles.

“It was the first time I was in France,” Mello, 28, said. “Paris is a great place. The French are totally misunderstood. There are a lot of misconceptions about them, but they are awesome.

“Paris is just like Philadelphia — there are so many areas and such great food and people are so nice, so many little nooks.”

Mello grew up in Pennsport and attended St. Maria Goretti, 1736 S. 10th St., a place, she says, played a huge role in determining her future career.

“There was something so magical about Goretti. I never felt picked on by everyone because I played the cello,” Mello, who was encouraged by a teacher to take up the craft, said. “I had pink hair in college. I listened to classic rock. There was something so passionate for me about classical music. My classmates and the school were so supportive of that.

“I never felt nerdy about it. I’m so happy I’m at such an advantage. It was such a great environment to grow and learn who I am.”

Mello relishes every opportunity to sing the praises of her hometown and the opportunities it afforded her as she feels South Philadelphia is not always recognized for these traits. After graduation she moved on to undergraduate work at the College of Music at Temple University and is currently in the process of earning a graduate degree in music history.

Hemsley, on the other hand, made his way to South Philadelphia a little over a year ago. Born in Drexel Hill, he attended college in Boston at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and continues his studies in Philadelphia with a mentor.

“I work with Benjamin Boyle. He suggested that I look into the program [in Paris]. He works for them, as well. I study composition privately with him. He lives in Philadelphia, he’s a local composer,” Hemsley, 26, said.

After he got word of the program, Hemsley alerted Mello of the idea and the two sent in their respective audition pieces; Hemsley’s consisting of an original composition and Mello’s, a taped piece of her playing. Both also submitted essays and other materials.

“The program is based on a the music of Nadia Boulanger — her teaching style was a very new style, a new way to learn. With that radical type of teaching she changed the face of music,” Mello said of the French composer and educator who is credited with teaching some of the most influential and revered composers of the 20th century.