Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
On a recent trip to Italy with a group from Esperienza Italia, Chicagoan Tom Bulgrin and his partner, Kerry, traveled a long and winding road to meet Ciuma and Cinzia Del Vecchio for a delightful home-cooked meal in their remote hilltop home.
After dinner, Ciuma and his teenage daughter, Adele, performed an intimate concert for the group. The heartfelt musical expression of father and daughter sparked joy, and even a few tears. As a retired band director and professional musician, Tom Bulgrin couldn’t help but notice that the quality of Adele’s violin was no match for her talent.
“I was blown away,” says Bulgrin. “I know everyone else was also deeply moved by her (and her father’s) playing. I spoke to them before we left and told them a great musician needs a great instrument.” Bulgrin recounts seeing the very pained look on Adele’s parents’ faces regarding their limited ability to help her in that way.
When Bulgrin returned home, he reached out to Esperienza, and together they created a fundraising campaign with the goal of buying Adele a new and better instrument.
The primary target consisted of other Esperienza guests, most of whom had also experienced a special evening with the Del Vecchio family. Within a short time, the financial goal was reached, and a new violin was presented to Adele and her family.
— Anna Bonavita, Founder, Esperienza
