ABC News’ Danny New recently had the opportunity to sit down with a Canadian teacher and his nonna, who are making waves in the music industry by educating millions about their Italian culture through music.
The duo, comprised of teacher Vincenzo Guarrasi and his nonna, Maria, have been using their love for music to showcase the beauty and richness of Italian culture to the world. Their passion project, known as “Nonna’s Music,” has gained a huge following on social media, with millions of views on their videos and a growing fan base.
During the interview, Danny New asked Vincenzo and Nonna Maria about their inspiration behind Nonna’s Music. Vincenzo shared that growing up, his nonna would always sing traditional Italian songs to him, and it was a way for him to connect with his heritage. As he got older and became a teacher, he noticed that many of his students were not aware of their cultural roots and wanted to find a way to educate them. This is when he turned to his nonna and their shared love for music to spread awareness and appreciation for Italian culture.
Nonna Maria, who has been singing since she was a young girl, added that music has always been a big part of her life and has helped her preserve her culture and traditions. She also emphasized the importance of passing down these traditions to younger generations. “Music is a universal language, and it’s a way for me to share my love for my culture with the world,” she said.
Through Nonna’s Music, Vincenzo and Nonna Maria have been able to reach a wide audience and educate them about Italian culture in a fun and engaging way. Their videos feature Nonna Maria singing traditional Italian songs while Vincenzo plays the guitar and provides translations and explanations of the lyrics. The duo also shares interesting facts and stories about Italian culture, making their videos not only entertaining but also informative.
Their unique approach to showcasing Italian culture has gained them a loyal following, with many viewers expressing their gratitude for learning about a culture they may not have been familiar with before. “I never knew about these beautiful songs and traditions until I stumbled upon Nonna’s Music. Thank you for sharing your culture with us,” one comment read.
Nonna Maria also shared that they have received countless messages from people of Italian descent who have reconnected with their roots through their videos. “It brings me so much joy to see people embracing their heritage and appreciating the beauty of our culture,” she said.
In addition to their online presence, Nonna’s Music has also performed at various events and festivals, including the Italian Heritage Festival in Toronto, Canada. Their live performances have been met with enthusiasm and have further solidified their impact in promoting Italian culture.
Vincenzo and Nonna Maria’s dedication and passion for sharing their culture through music have not gone unnoticed. They have been featured in various media outlets, including ABC News, and have been recognized by the Italian government for their contributions in promoting Italian culture abroad.
As the interview came to an end, Danny New asked Vincenzo and Nonna Maria what they hope to achieve with Nonna’s Music in the future. Vincenzo shared that their ultimate goal is to continue spreading awareness and appreciation for Italian culture and to inspire others to embrace their own cultural heritage.
Nonna Maria added, “I hope that through our music, we can show the world the beauty of Italian culture and inspire others to preserve their own traditions and pass them down to future generations.”
Vincenzo and Nonna Maria’s dedication to preserving and promoting Italian culture through music is truly admirable. Their passion and love for their heritage shine through in every video, and they have undoubtedly made a significant impact in educating and inspiring others. As Nonna Maria sings in one of their videos, “La cultura non muore mai” (culture never dies), and thanks to Nonna’s Music, Italian culture will continue to thrive and be celebrated by many for years to come.
