It was Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 and even though Paolo Gioia was not due to arrive for eight more weeks, he was determined to arrive on his terms. Born at only 3 pounds 14 ounces, Paolo spent 21 days in the NOVA NECU where he continued to develop and grow very quickly becoming one of nurses’ favorite visitors.
The Gioias believe Paolo’s music instruction began as a baby in mama’s belly when she would place headphones on her belly to entertain and sooth him. This emersion of music continued as the Gioias would always play music in their home ranging from classical to hip-hop. At one point, Paolo demonstrated his particular love for Andre Bocelli by rolling his walker right up to the speaker anytime Andre would play.
When rolling Paolo around in his stroller Paolo would systematically check the acoustics in each room by belting out various tones. And when Paolo was able to walk, he taught himself to conduct, with a wand, the performance of Beethoven’s Fifth. When a video of this was sent to the lead conductor of the Alexandria symphony orchestra, the maestro replied with an astounding appreciation stating that Paolo was not just waving his hands to the melody, instead he was actually preempting the next insertion of notes and actually directing.
While living in Alexandria VA Paolo attended Children’s International, a pre-K IB school where the students were visited by the locally renowned musician Mr. B. After a few sessions playing instruments and singing to the students, Mr. B. told Paolo’s parents about the student’s extraordinary attention and interest in each of his sessions and suggested Paolo learn how to play the piano.
During Paolo’s first session, Mr. B. quickly taught Paolo what each note sounded like and proceeded to test the young man’s musical knowledge. As Mr. B. played the notes, Paolo would name them with ease, which immediately impressed Paolo’s father. However, Mr. B. was quick to ground the proud father stating, “That is pretty normal.”
Mr. B continued testing Paolo’s knowledge by adding layers of complexity. Mr. B placed a towel over his hands while he played various notes and asked Paolo to name them. Paolo answered without hesitation and with perfection.
Mr. B. looked at Paolo’s father and said, “Now that is NOT normal.”
Paolo was blessed with perfect pitch and the Gioias knew that it was essential they encourage Paolo to develop this talent. The Gioias moved from Virginia to Ponte Vedra in 2012. Paolo’s mother immediately discovered the most dynamic music program in the area for Paolo, Morris Music Academy.
Paolo began piano and voice lessons with Tracey Morris. In 2014, Paolo expressed an interest in learning how to play the saxophone, which, ironically, was the primary instrument Tracy Morris played professionally. From the first day Paolo laid eyes on that sax he was enamored.
Paolo’s father only had two contingencies for Paolo. First, no matter how hard it is to learn, you never give up trying; and second, you take care of that instrument because it’s an expensive one.
Tracy Morris was immediately impressed with Paolo’s ability to fly through the normal challenges a 9-year-old would have with learning the sax, not to mention the record time he mastered the proper tone of a sax.
The training with the academy was rigorous but proved fruitful when it provided Paolo the opportunity to play a recital in Carnegie Hall with Morris Music Academy. New York City is where his parents Ro and Salvatore met and quickly after they were married, they started a tradition of visiting the city once a year at Christmas time. The entire family has a love for the city and everything it has to offer which, made this opportunity even more special.
On Dec. 9, 2017, Paolo sang and played the saxophone at Carnegie Hall.
After such a significant accomplishment, the Gioias began researching new ways to push Paolo in his development. That’s when they discovered the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Over the summer, 2,500 international students traveled to Interlochen to study music, theatre, visual arts, creative writing, motion picture arts and dance. The camp allows students to learn from amazing artists and educators, be inspired by the scenic campus, and create with other students who share a passion for the arts.
Paolo, age 13, studied intermediate jazz for saxophone at the summer camp.
