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PART 1 - BLOG #1 About me

Hello everyone!

My name is Simona Rodano, although children know me as "The Italian Fairy". I was born in Turin, Italy, and for the past twenty years I have dedicated my career to bringing Italian language, music, theater, and culture into schools throughout New York. As the founder of Incanto Productions and the Global EDU Language Foundation, I am committed to pursuing the mission of expanding bilingual Italian-English educational opportunities through live performances, artist residencies, bilingual curriculum, teacher workshops, and meaningful cultural exchange experiences that inspire students to become confident communicators and compassionate global citizens. My journey has been anything but traditional. Although I earned a master's degree in Biology, my passion for music, theater, and education led me to pursue a career where I could combine the arts with language learning. That path eventually inspired me to create The Italian Fairy®, an educational character who transforms language instruction into a joyful adventure through storytelling, songs, movement, puppetry, and imagination. Watching children discover a new language with excitement and confidence has been one of the greatest rewards of my professional life.

I believe children learn best when they are actively engaged rather than passively receiving information. Every lesson I design invites students to become participants instead of spectators. Whether they are singing in Italian, acting out a story, dancing, creating artwork, or interacting with classmates, children are immersed in experiences that make learning memorable and meaningful. My goal is not simply to teach vocabulary or grammar but to help students develop curiosity, creativity, confidence, empathy, and an appreciation for different cultures.

I have learned that the performing arts are powerful tools for building connections. Music and storytelling transcend language barriers and create opportunities for children from different backgrounds to communicate, collaborate, and celebrate their shared humanity. This philosophy has guided every educational program I have created and continues to inspire my work today.

My current professional goal is to expand multilingual arts education throughout the United States while building partnerships that make high-quality language and cultural programs accessible to more schools and communities. Through the Global EDU Language Foundation, which I founded in 2024, I hope to strengthen collaborations with educators, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, and community leaders who share a commitment to preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world.

One of my most exciting upcoming initiatives is "Generations of Voices – Music for Humanity", an international educational and cultural exchange that will bring Italy's beloved Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano to New York for the first time in history. This project celebrates the universal values of friendship, peace, compassion, and cultural understanding while creating unforgettable opportunities for children from Italy and the United States to learn from one another through music.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing innovative curriculum, educational musicals, bilingual resources, teacher professional development programs, and international collaborations that inspire children to become compassionate global citizens. As I continue my graduate studies, I look forward to integrating research, educational technology, and best instructional practices into my work while remaining true to the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of learning through music, language, creativity, and the performing arts.


Ciao!

Simona


 

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