Artist of the Week: Gia Spadaccini

Warwick Valley Middle School seventh grader Gia Spadaccini has a passion for the performing arts. A singer, songwriter, actor and, even, budding director, Gia embraces every opportunity to grow as a performer, and she has the resume to show for it.

Gia is an active member of the WVMS chorus and has performed as a featured soloist in past Orange County Music Educators Association All-County choirs. Gia also shines as a soloist with the middle school’s Ukulele Club and is involved with the WVMS Drama Club. Even outside of school, Gia takes performing seriously, and is an active troupe member with both the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts and, most recently, the Warwick Reformed Church Theater Company.

One of her biggest fans is also one of her teachers, WVMS chorus director and general music educator Shane Peters. Mr. Peters has been working with Gia for the past two years.

“Gia's voice will blow any listener away—she's got some pipes!” he said. “When I met Gia in fifth grade, I immediately saw what a force she was. We are so lucky that she lends her hard work and talents to everything music related here in Warwick.”

Singing has always been Gia’s dream. Her earliest memories are of belting out songs from Dora the Explorer into a toy microphone as a little girl.

“I really hope to be a famous singer when I’m older,” Gia said. “I also love writing songs. I’m a really big songwriter, and I love writing plays.”

Gia is drawn to music as a form of self-expression. While she first started out in ballet, she quickly found her true passion in music.

“I’ve always loved music. My dad really got me into singing because he connects so deeply with emotion, and that inspired me,” she explained. “I quit ballet so I could start a new life in music. Music feels like it’s never going to go away; it’s in my heart.”

As a songwriter, Gia admires the powerful messages songs can deliver and how they can impact people.

“I really like to write songs about deep emotions,” Gia said. “I like to say what I believe, and I don’t let anyone get in the way of that. Sometimes people judge me—like for being short—but I just let it pass. That’s how God made me. I know I have a purpose, and I’m going to pursue it.”

For her next project, Gia is directing her very first play. She wrote the script herself, and it is far more developed than one might expect from a middle school playwright, complete with multiple characters, subplots, and plenty of twists. Without giving too much away, the story explores themes of friendship, standing up to bullies, and the power of believing in yourself, topics that are especially close to her heart.

“I love being able to stand up for myself, but I also know my friends will always be there if I need them,” Gia said. “And I’ll always be there for them, too.”

Gia’s strong sense of purpose fuels her confidence on stage. While she doesn’t get stage fright too often, Gia said, like any performer, she’s definitely experienced some butterflies before going on.

“My first main role was JoJo in Seussical the Musical. They actually turned the boy part into a girl part for me,” she said. “It was my first time having lines and songs, and I was freaking out backstage! But my best friend, Helena, who played the Cat in the Hat, really helped me get through it.”

When it comes to coping with stage fright, Gia recommends avoiding looking at the crowd unless you’re speaking directly to them, like when breaking the fourth wall with an aside.

“You can look above the audience instead,” she explained. “Between the darkness of the room and the [bright] stage lights, you probably won’t even see them.”

Since Gia’s first performance in Seussical, she has taken on a wide range of roles including, Sharpay in High School Musical, the mouse in Aristocats, Maleficent in Descendants, the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, Grumpy in Shrek Jr., and a seagull in The Little Mermaid.

Her biggest inspiration is her older cousin, who is finishing performing arts school and recently started auditioning for Broadway shows.

“My cousin is a huge performer, and she’s also a cheerleader like me. I think I take after her the most. She’s amazing!” Gia said.

And speaking of inspiration, Gia is already paying it forward, passing on her enthusiasm and dedication to the next generation. Gia has been helping her younger sister, Ava, prepare for auditions, offering advice on everything from stage presence to what to do if something goes wrong.

“My little sister, Ava, just started theater and she's amazing at it,” Gia said. “I'm one of her biggest inspirations.”

Gia is excited for Ava’s stage debut, which is coming up soon! She will be playing the tiger in the Park Avenue Elementary School Drama Club’s production of The Jungle Book.

Beyond the stage, Gia keeps busy with cheerleading, basketball and flag football. She is also auditioning for the WVMS Honors Chorus this year and hopes to land a lead role in one of the WVMS Drama Club productions before graduating. She is especially looking forward to spending more time with Mr. Peters.

“He's like my best friend,” Gia said. “He really cares, and he puts in so much work for us. I appreciate him so much.”