What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? I danced from the age of 3 so that was my first significant exposure to music. I danced every dance form available from tap, ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary to hip hop and musical theater. At my dance studio they started a vocal program, and I was intrigued as I watched other kids take vocal lessons, so I convinced my mom to let me take them. This led to chances to perform at local events and competitions. I ended up in a competition in NYC where I placed in the top 5 and connected with an artist development group. That gave me the chance to go to Nashville and work with professionals on my first EP which got me hooked on songwriting. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when I discovered Berklee’s summer programs in Stage Performance and Songwriting. Being immersed in an environment of other creatives was electrifying and I went home with the plan to attend Berklee. Since I had just dabbled in vocal, guitar and piano lessons for fun it took some real coaching to learn sight singing and the other elements required to get into Berklee. We found a coach (Liz Radigonda from University of the Arts) who was AMAZING, and she taught me sight singing, an Opera in Italian, and a Jazz classic so I was prepared. What I have come to realize is that being a dancer from a young age I grew up swimming in an Ocean of music that ranged from the classical to hip hop which has influenced my style and love of using music to tell stories.
Interview: Gabi Ammirato
Interview: Gabi Ammirato
Interview: Gabi Ammirato
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? I danced from the age of 3 so that was my first significant exposure to music. I danced every dance form available from tap, ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary to hip hop and musical theater. At my dance studio they started a vocal program, and I was intrigued as I watched other kids take vocal lessons, so I convinced my mom to let me take them. This led to chances to perform at local events and competitions. I ended up in a competition in NYC where I placed in the top 5 and connected with an artist development group. That gave me the chance to go to Nashville and work with professionals on my first EP which got me hooked on songwriting. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when I discovered Berklee’s summer programs in Stage Performance and Songwriting. Being immersed in an environment of other creatives was electrifying and I went home with the plan to attend Berklee. Since I had just dabbled in vocal, guitar and piano lessons for fun it took some real coaching to learn sight singing and the other elements required to get into Berklee. We found a coach (Liz Radigonda from University of the Arts) who was AMAZING, and she taught me sight singing, an Opera in Italian, and a Jazz classic so I was prepared. What I have come to realize is that being a dancer from a young age I grew up swimming in an Ocean of music that ranged from the classical to hip hop which has influenced my style and love of using music to tell stories.