A voice to be reckoned with – please meet former Pompano Beach High School Key Club member Nicholas Giunta.
Nick’s singing career began in the 5th grade while singing in the choir at St. Coleman’s Catholic Church every Sunday and participating in the church’s numerous community events.
As a budding artist, he soon began to develop his voice with professional training.
During his high school years his voice could be heard at many local events entertaining patients and guests at Holy Cross Hospital and cancer survivors and caregivers at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay for Life. At graduation ceremonies in 2013 he received the NROTC Marine Music Excellence award in appreciation for his musical participation at numerous school events as well as the prestigious South Florida CAPPIE award for “Best Male Vocalist”, National Young Arts Foundation Scholar and the Broward County Outstanding Senior Leader Award. Assisting with his musical journey to Oberlin Conservatory were scholarships from the City of Pompano Beach Herb Skolnick Cultural Arts Foundation ‘Outstanding Performance’ and his sponsoring Kiwanis Club.
While keeping to a busy scholastic schedule at Oberlin, Nick did not forget his Key Club service experience and was able to participate in community outreach programs and events in order to bring music and entertainment to local schools and residents at local assisted living facilities.
When home on break, Nick was always in high demand and received invitations to sing at the annual City of Pompano Beach for Mayor’s Breakfast, the Pompano Beach Woman’s Club holiday toy collection fund raiser and was the featured vocalist for the Division 23/24 Interfaith Prayer Breakfast and memorial service for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students and teachers.
Following graduation from Oberlin, Nick sought out a specialty program that would allow him the opportunity to pursue his Masters of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy and received a scholarship to the Princeton, NJ Westminster Choir College. The program also allowed for Nick to teach and he continues to work with several of those students today.
And now, having just officially graduated this week, Nick was looking forward to establishing a solo career in voice partaking in summer musical festivals, such as the Princeton Festival, as well as auditioning for other Young Artist programs. But COVID 19 changed all that. Now he and performers like him are exploring online teaching and innovative performance opportunities until such time as live performances open once again.
And the future? Perhaps definitely a Doctorate of Music and Arts degree to teach at the University level. But for now, performance is the goal.
“The way I got into music was thru service – singing in my church choir. I believe that we should use the talents we are given to help others. My experience with Key Club and Kiwanis taught me the importance of giving back to my community and to use my talents for something bigger than myself – and making a positive difference in the lives of others”
Thank you, Nick, for your patriotic salute and sharing your talents with us on this Memorial Day weekend!