Through it all, music has always been inside senior Gianna Longo. A virtuoso in both voice and brass, Longo has been passionate about music since the very beginning. “I think I’ve always been a singer,” she reminisced. “There’s literally videos of me in the living room with my karaoke machine I got at four years old…so the unofficial singing started then.” Her formal musical training, however, began in third grade at West End Elementary School. Longo first joined band class in third grade, with her first choice instrument being the trumpet, following in the footsteps of her older brother. “I wanted to be like him, and I always said to myself, ‘Oh, he’s so good, he solos, he’s so talented,” Longo explained. She joined chorus the following year, codifying her musical range, and thus, her musical journey began.
After beginning both musical courses in school, Longo dove straight into extracurricular theater activities – including playing Belle in West End’s rendition of Beauty and the Beast – and New York State Music Association (NYSSMA) auditions. Music grew with Longo as she exposed herself to more and more experience, honing her skills throughout middle school and into high school. Longo had always known she would be in chorus, involving herself in voice NYSSMA and All-County auditions since the fourth grade, but she became more serious between grades nine and 10. Her decision to pursue band specifically came in grade nine, when Longo had to choose between taking Symphonic Band or Honors Italian. A diligent student in tandem with her musical prowess, it was a big decision. “I had to say, ‘Do I want to take Honors Italian and stop doing band, or do I [take] Regents Italian for a year and stay in band?’ and I’m so glad I went with the latter and chose to stay in band,” she acknowledged.
In tenth grade, Longo decided to audition for assistant drum major in Marching Band, not knowing how she would manage on top of her kickline practices, yet she chose to pursue her passion nonetheless. “Everyone’s been so flexible,” she said, “I think, having gotten a leadership position in band, it just really made me more committed to it.” Band teacher Zachary Rifkind remarked on Longo’s dedication to band: “Gianna excels in her capabilities as a trumpet player, easily performing with great ability even the most demanding of music…[she] gives 100% at a minimum.”
As Longo’s musical journey has branched out, so have her inspirations. “I focus a lot more on vocalists as my inspirations,” Longo explained, citing Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Stevie Nicks as her most prominent influences. “The way Stevie Nicks speaks about her vocal coach is just so inspirational,” she noted. “She brings him out at every single one of her concerts. It shows how much she cares for the people who care for her voice.” Longo also emphasized her brother’s influence on her musical career, explaining her admiration for how fluidly he has incorporated music into his own life, beyond the walls of formal musical training: “…no matter what I end up doing, professionally, he’s a reminder that I can still pursue music.”
Anyone who knows Longo understands her admiration for her craft, a Jill-of-all-trades, she can be found all around LHS. From kickline practices, to drum major, to a wide breadth of various extracurriculars (including being an Editor-in-Chief for Horizon), her dedication extends beyond the hours of a standard school day. And yet, regardless of her busy schedule, she always makes time for music. “There’s rarely a time of day where I don’t have a playlist going, like there’s never silence for me,” Longo said. “I’m always listening to something where I can, you know, find vocal stylistic techniques that I like, or find trumpet licks that I really like.” With regard to practicing her instruments, Longo hones much of her musical skill in music classes each day, and dials-in particularly during concert and NYSSMA auditions. “For those I would be practicing once a day for 30 minutes, practicing my solos, practicing sight-reading for my NYSSMA auditions.”
Longo also often records herself during her voice lessons, listening back and seeing how she can improve. It is the skill of listening that Longo truly believes is a good musician’s secret weapon: “You can be an excellent player and produce amazing sound out of your instrument, whether that’s your voice or a horn, but you have to be capable to listen to yourself and listen to people around you in order to improve.”
Beyond playing music, Longo has also grown up dancing, crediting much of her ability to look into the world of music from a unique perspective. “I think dance has granted me the ability to look at music and look at sheet music with a bit more flow, a bit more freedom, a bit more creative expression,” she mused. Dance has also provided Longo with the ability to choreograph, allowing her to act as the main choreographer for the annual Jazz ‘n’ Pop Concert. “I think when I’m listening to a song I may have to choreograph for Show Choir, I’m able to pick out the down beats – I’m able to hear different inflections in the music, where I want accents.” Hearing a concert or band piece from this perspective allows Longo to incorporate what she believes is a more artistic vision to her choreography. “I honestly believe I’m a dancer first,” Longo explained.
Longo has been involved in a wide range of musical performances, from musical theater to school concerts. Though she explained that it was impossible to pick a favorite, she cited this year’s Jazz ‘n’ Pop Concert as being one of the most memorable in her musical career. As the main choreographer, Longo played a large part in the performance’s execution and cohesion. “It’s a very small, intimate concert…And when I get to watch the videos back and see all the hard work that I put into choreographing the dances, that all my friends and classmates put into learning the dances, and I also got a really cool solo for this one,” she beamed.
Longo also remarked on a particularly touching moment during the performance, where the group sang “Thank You for the Music” by ABBA. “My solo was the second verse, where it’s like, ‘[Mother] says I was a dancer before I could talk and she says I could sing long before I could talk,’ but I got to look at my mom in the audience while saying that,” she reminisced. “I’m impressed that I didn’t cry during that.” As a proud theater kid – “In case anyone didn’t know,” she added, laughing – Longo has been doing musicals since she was in fourth grade. Including the aforementioned Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man, and Grease, Longo was also in an outside production of Legally Blonde, where she played Kate and Chutney Windham. “I got to wear the crazy wig,” Longo joked.
Longo has also had the opportunity to incorporate her love for theater and music into her other passions, such as journalism. The winner of the 2024 Roger Rees Student Reporter Award, Longo was able to mix her passions, acting as co-host for the Roger Rees Awards Pre-Show. Music teacher Barry Wyner, who helped Longo with her application, recalled the elation he felt when she won. “I remember us both crying, because I helped her with the application, and I knew how much it meant to her…that’s a kid you root for. She does everything right, never takes the shortcuts, puts in the hard work,” he beamed.
Longo credits her blooming musical career to the countless figures in her life who have aided her in propelling her passions and perfecting her craft. “First and foremost, my parents and family. I would not be where I am today without them, especially before I started driving.” Throughout high school, Longo’s parents diligently chauffeured her between music practices to various extracurriculars – sometimes back to school, home, and back to school again – she expressed her deep admiration and gratitude for all of her family’s help. “I’m very lucky to live in a household that prioritizes the arts so much,” she emphasized. Longo also cited all of her music teachers, particularly Mr. Waldvogel, Mr. Wyner, and former LHS band teacher Mr. White, as having an indelible impact on her musical career.
Committed to the University of Rhode Island and majoring in journalism, Longo plans on continuing to make music an essential part of her life. “I’m confident that it will always be a part of my life. I plan on joining an a cappella group, or even a university choral ensemble…Who knows, maybe I’ll end up starting a little band with some friends on my floor,” Longo mused. Close to the Newport Jazz Festival, Longo hopes to continue to live a life constantly surrounded by the beauty of music, immersed in its flow. “No matter what, it’s never going to be something that leaves me,” she affirmed.
