How did you get started in the music industry- tell us your story.

I started when I was really little, just a few months old! My father played every instrument and I was mesmerized, listening. Everything was born there. I have a sharp memory of when I was younger. When I was three years old, I was singing every moment. I put together my own show- I was the host, the guest, everything! It’s in my blood.

My passion is still here since I was a child. When I put on a musical show for my neighbors at 7 years old, my parents asked me if I wanted to take part in this famous Italian TV show for children. It’s an international production with 24 children, 12 from outside Italy and 12 from Italy. I said yes, and it was the best thing! I led this experience in the most innocent way.

I auditioned and was there for 3 months and it was amazing. This experience taught me how to always anchor down. No matter what, I’m always anchored to my roots, which is very important.  This piece also opened the door to other musical experiences, such as Italy’s Disney Channel. I also started to do my concerts and was studying at the conservatory. This is the time when I learned the importance of reading scores.

When I was 18 years old I moved to Rome to study philosophy. I loved learning about human thoughts. Studying this gave me a more clear understanding of the history behind everything. A friend of mine told me he was going to audition for a talent show (Amici), similar in structure to American Idol or The Voice in America, and asked if I wanted to go with him.

I went with him and watched him sing, but then they asked me if I wanted to sing as well. So, although I didn’t go with that purpose, I sang anyway and did an acoustic version of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face. I saw the host of the show looking at me, and after 5 minutes I realized I got onto the TV show. I thought how can I tell my friend that this is happening because they called me on my cell phone as I was going home. That was difficult!

Overall, it was a great experience! I dealt with 24/7 recording and that definitely opened the doors to the world as I know it today. I started concerts with my band, and I did more TV shows. The best thing that happened in my life was being an understudy to Franco Zeffirelli.

In 2015, I decided to expand my horizons, which was a brave decision. I realized how things worked, and I wanted to come to live in the U.S.A. I had to start at zero again, but I wasn’t scared because this is a great country where you can achieve your dreams.

So, here I am after everything- including the pandemic and the world turning upside down! I’m starting my solo project, so that’s it!

Image Credit: Stefano May

You have an incredible career to date. Can you tell us about your experience? You’ve worked under the tutelage of Franco Zeffirelli, composed and scored motion picture soundtracks under the guidance of award-winning filmmaker Jamal Joseph, performed on Italy’s version of The Voice and America’s Got Talent called Amici, and even sang for Pope John Paul II at the 2000 Jubilee at the Vatican. Tell me more about this!

Let’s go chronologically- I started out at Amici. There, you prepare the week before for the final week’s show and it’s 24/7 recorded with a camera- kind of like Big Brother with music! It was a strong physcologicl situaiton. Being under pressure from your surroundings is not easy, especially when you’re 18 years old, and I was in front of millions of viewers. Every singer sang with a full orchestra.

Franco Zeffirelli came out of a magic box! We met under a weird circumstance. He told me “from today, we will never separate ourselves” and that was true until he died years ago. He was the dream that I always dreamt of. For instance, I am a huge fan of classical music. With Franco, I was able to live that dream. He told me so many magical stories. He was my mentor, and one of my biggest supporters. When I moved to the U.S.A he told me to call his friends and tell them to help me because he was my friend. I told him I’m used to making things from scratch.

When I was in L.A. I always wanted to go to a Cher concert. So, I called the assistant and she was so happy to hear from Franco. Cher was coming back to the residency in Las Vegas and I actually met her there! We met multiple times, which was funny. She’s a great performer.

Jamal is a legend- his stories are absolutely crazy! When I lived in New York in Harlem, we met in the elevator. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but I had some scores in my hand. He asked me if I did music and I said yes- he then came up to hear me play. Afterward, I looked him up and I was like, “wow!” Anyways, he gave me the opportunity to work with students who wrote movies for Columbia University. I was able to write scores for a few of these productions.

Image Credit: Stefano May

2019 marked the beginning of your first solo project in the United States. Can you talk to us about this journey as well as your debut single, “Prayer”?

This EP was supposed to come out on March 7 in 2020, right before the pandemic. It’s coming out now! WE reworked things to make them a bit different.

Prayer was a piano voice. I wanted to do something really simple. I wanted ot record it by myself in my own studio. Piano and voice- nothing else. What we lived during the pandemic was bringing us apart so I wanted to focus on togetherness. We were praying for something, whether you believe in religion or not. This is because it’s a way to spread energy.

I was praying for connectivity- believing that it was essential for us to be together. The pandemic separated us. I believed in togetherness power.

Image Credit: Stefano May

Other notable songs from your solo project include “We Are The Power”, “Find My Way” and “False Horizon”. Where does the inspiration behind your music come from and what do you hope listeners take away from your music?

This EP became an album essentially! This is because the way to listen to music changed. We Are The Power was a song I wrote years before but I found that it was the right time during the holidays to bring the message louder. I went to L.A. and in 5 days we did production and video. It’s still one of my favourite songs! It was a great experience with the gospel choir being featured.

After that, Find My Way is about me finding my way to being here today. It was a homage to the discipline my mother gave to me. My father gave me artistry, my mother kept me in line. This was also a great production. I wanted to bring back the small town I grew up in.

False Horizon was born as a country song and it became more of a pop song- another one of my favourites!

Watch and listen to False Horizon here!

Take me through a typical writing session. When and where does your inspiration usually strike?

They come out of nowhere! I just write my music and bring myself to the piano. I put my hands on the piano and feel the chords. From there, I write the melody and the music. Then, I write the story. This is how it happens. Essentially anytime I write, I am emotionally touched by something.

Inspiration always comes from experiences I personally lived. I never like to write about things I don’t know, that my soul doesn’t know- because that wouldn’t be sincere.

Image Credit: Stefano May

You recently launched your new single and video, “Don’t Say Goodbye.” Thoughts on this new release?

On July 29, the same day I got my U.S citizenship, Don’t Say Goodbye came out. I’m very happy- it’s my favourite song to play just piano and voice.

What new artists are on your playlists this year?

I like to listen to different types of music! I listen to classical music and pop hits, and I love Lizzo!