Alissa Musto
| Alissa Musto | |
|---|---|
 Alissa Musto at Awards Show | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, child pianist, singer |
| Instruments |
Vocals Piano |
| Website | |
Alissa Musto (born in Providence, Rhode Island) is an American singer and child pianist. She is the winner of the 2007 New England Performs competition, a talent competition with thousands of competitors from all over New England.[1] She held the 2008 championship title for "Rhode Island's Got Talent" where she beat several adults.[2] When she was nine years old, she was on the national television show "America's Most Talented Kid". She will sing the National Anthem at a 2009 Pawtucket Red Sox Game. She has performed numerous charity events for Mayor David Cicilline,[3] Make A Wish Foundation and PARI.[4] In December 2008, she performed "If I Was Santa Clause", a song written by her and her father on TV for Toys for Tots.[5] She has performed all over New England including the Hard Rock Cafe and the Fox Theatre at Foxwoods Casino.
Early Performances
Alissa started taking piano lessons at the age of five. She quickly caught on and started performing at local Nursing homes for the residents. She won many local piano competitions and most of the times, despite her age, was put in the older division of the competitions. Because she was only six at the time when she won her first competition, she had to carry a block to reach the sustain pedal. At this particular competition she played "Prelude in A minor", Minute in G and Moonlight Sonata. In 2004 she was the winner of "Fall River Catches a Star" Talent Competition. She won in her age category ; 12 and under. She was also nominated NBC Channel 10 Spotlight On the Student Artist on September 4, 2004.[6]
America's Most Talented Kids
In February 2005, Alissa made her debut on national television "America's Most Talented Kid". She performed a medley of Mozart and Jerry Lee Lewis. She made auditions above thousands of kids nationwide and was chosen to do a commercial for the show. The host was Dave Coulier from Full House.
2007–present
In March 2007, Alissa won the New England Performs Regional Competition in her age category; 12 and under. The competition was opened to qualified contestants across New England. Alissa won first place and the $1500 prize. In the 2008 competition, though she did not compete, she opened the show with a performance of "Jailhouse Rock". The event was sponsored by the Warwick Rotary Club.[7]
In August 2008, Alissa won first place in the state wide talent show " RI's Got Talent". Several hundreds of people auditioned from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but there were only 18 finalists, half of which were adults.[8] Alissa performed "Traveling Band Medley", an arrangement she composed with her father that incorporated Creedence Clearwater Revival, Chopin, Mozart & Beethoven. Alissa took home the $1,000 cash prize and will sing the National Anthem at a 2009 Pawtucket Red Sox Game. Charlie Hall of Ocean state Follies hosted the event which was sponsored by the East Bay Chamber of Commerce. The event was heavily covered by local press.
After winning Rhode Island's Got Talent, Alissa was invited to perform on the Talent Quest TV show. Broadcast out of Boston MA, the award winning show has gained national and international attention. Alissa performed as a contestant in March 2009. Winning the 2009 episode, she was invited back as a guest performer on 2 additional episodes. That year she also made appearances on "Community Auditions" and "The Rhode Show". In September 2010, Alissa was notified that she was one of 10 finalists in the Wonderworld TV Golden Ribby Awards. Alissa received "Piano Act of the Year" in front of a live studio audience of over 2,000. The show was broadcast 4 times in December. In late 2010, Alissa was also chosen to be an ambassador for the Green School organization. In December, Alissa competed in the Music On & Up Showcase series and was selected as one of the 4 finalists to go on to the next round.
Awards
Some of Alissa's awards and honors she has received:
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Piano Sonata, Moonlight Sonata, Prelude in A Minor | Melissa's Piano Studio Piano Competition | Won |
| 2002 | Minuet in G | Melissa's Piano Studio Piano Competition | Won |
| 2004 | Mozart Meets Rock and Roll | Fall River Celebrates America Catching A Star Competition | Won |
| 2004 | Alissa Musto | NBC Spotlight on Student Artist | Nominated |
| 2006 | Alissa Musto | ABC Most Talented of 2005 | Won |
| 2007 | Traveling Band Medley | New England Performs Talent Competition | Won |
| 2008 | Traveling Band Medley | Rhode Island's Got Talent | Won |
| 2009 | Old Time Rock And Roll | Talent Quest TV Show | Won |
| 2009 | online video submission | Wonderworld TV Daily Talent Contests | Won |
| 2009 | If I Was Santa Claus | Next Holiday Classic Songwriting Competition | Nominated |
| 2010 | Old Time Rock and Roll Medley | Wonderworld TV Golden Ribby Awards, Act of the Year | Nominated |
| 2010 | Old Time Rock and Roll Medley | Wonderworld TV Golden Ribby Awards, Piano Act of the Year | Won |
| 2010 | Roll Over Beethoven | Music On & Up 18 and under Showcase | Top 4 Finalist |
| 2011 | Traveling Band Medley | Taunton's Got Talent | Runner-up |
| 2011 | Female artist of the year | Limelight Music Awards | Nominated |
| 2011 | Traveling Band Medley/Doesn't Matter (original) | Music On & Up Grand Finale | 3rd place |
| 2011 | Save the World | GREEN Difference Awards, Song of the Year | Won |
| 2011 | Traveling Band Medley/Animal | Kidz Star USA 2011 | Top 10 Finalist |
| 2012 | "Born This Way" piano cover | Music & Arts Find Your Voice Contest | Top 6 Finalist |
References
- ↑ Alissa Musto:winner Of New England Performs
- ↑ http://www.pbn.com/press_releases/34545.html
- ↑ http://www.providenceri.com/press/article.php?id=420 Mayor Cicilline’s Seniors' day set for September 14 at Roger Williams park<
- ↑ http://www.pari-ilc.org/PARI_dec_2006.pdf
- ↑ http://www.bobsadventures.com/
- ↑ http://www.ridance.com/spotlightartist.html
- ↑ http://www.warwickbeacon.net/warwickonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32062&Itemid=30
- ↑ http://www.pr.com/press-release/98528