Why a fundraiser?

Palermo, my hometown, has never stopped teaching me the value of roots.
Even now that I’m far away, all it takes is for me to close my eyes to feel the scent of the sea, the laughter of friends, the embrace of my family, the warmth of the sun, and the unmistakable taste of an arancina or a cannolo.
It’s a city that knows how to make even the simplest things feel genuine.

What took me away from it was the piano.
It happened on a summer day, along the sun-drenched alleyways between the Vucciria market and the Palermo Conservatory. I was walking hand in hand with my father when, from an open window, music started pouring out—different instruments weaving together in a dialogue, a sound dance that completely enchanted and captivated me.
I turned to my father and, without hesitation, said:
“This is the right place for me.”

And so it was. That year, he enrolled me in the Conservatory, beginning the most important journey of my life.
That dream, born in the streets of Palermo, has become reality—but not without effort.
High school years were a constant balancing act between textbooks, sheet music, and racing against time. I often skipped the last class of the day to make it to the Conservatory, and my father, always ready to support me, would leave work to drive me there.
Sometimes there wasn’t even time for lunch: we studied until evening, every single day, always with deep dedication and passion.

After graduating with top marks in Palermo, I continued my studies in Florence, where I had the privilege of learning from extraordinary teachers, including Roberto Prosseda—someone I watched on TV as a child, almost like a myth, and who today is my mentor, my role model, and a continuous source of inspiration.

In recent years, I’ve performed in numerous concerts across much of Europe and the United States, receiving important awards, including the First Prize at the Hermès Competition for Talents—an achievement that truly marked a turning point in my career.
Thanks to that recognition, I was also able to attend the Verbier Festival for the first time—something I once thought was a distant dream, and which has now become a regular part of my summers.

And now, a new milestone lies ahead: I’ve been accepted into the Manhattan School of Music in New York, one of the most prestigious music institutions in the world.
It’s a result I still find hard to believe, after intense and challenging auditions. But for me, it represents the next step—the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.
And yet, if I could sit next to my twelve-year-old self, full of dreams, fears, and hands too small for the keys, I would tell him: yes, it’s worth it. Every sacrifice means something if it’s made for something you truly love.

Studying in New York is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—but also an enormous investment that I cannot sustain on my own.
That’s why I’ve decided to open up and ask for your support.

Every contribution, no matter how small, can truly make a difference and help me take this incredibly important step.
In return, I will thank you in the most sincere and personal way I know: with music.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!

Donate now and support Alessio!