MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Anthony Nunziata, Singer and Entrepreneur

Singer and entrepreneur Anthony Nunziata was born in Brooklyn and raised just outside of New York City in Westchester County. Anthony is passionate about using entertainment as a means to inspire and help others. While working on entrepreneurial projects on his own, Anthony also pursues a thriving music career alongside his twin brother, Will Nunziata.

The idea of singing together professionally began in the beginning of their sophomore year at Boston College when University Chorale director John Finney suggested the brothers sing a solo during the annual fundraising concert where the Boston Pops visits Boston College and perform along with the University Chorale. Anthony and Will sang the Stephen Sondheim song “Our Time” and, as Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart announced to the arena filled crowd, the brothers became the first identical twins to be soloists with the Boston Pops. It was a pivotal evening for Anthony, quickly realizing that as a team they could fulfill their passions for singing and connect with people through music.

Recently Anthony, alongside his brother, has appeared as a headlining soloists with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra (with an audience of over 20,000) and, in New York City, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, the United Nations, National Arts Club and Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. The brothers’ vocal versatility and stage presence has caught the eye of conductors and concert halls around the country, performing Broadway tunes, classic standards, songs from Italy, and contemporary music. Premiering their new concert show “Our Time” at New York City’s Feinstein’s at The Regency in October 2009, they thrilled the standing room only audiences and will return for seven shows during a full week engagement from April 20-24 2010.  Peachy Deegan can't wait for this, and of course as she is bleeding maroon and gold, met Anthony Nunziata at a Boston College event.

Directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, (current) director and collaborator to Barbra Streisand, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Bernadette Peters, Anthony and Will continue to tour and will introduce their new show throughout the next year.

While he continues to sing with Will, Anthony’s passion to create media content that inspires young people will take shape in 2010. Anthony is inspired by and learns from everyone he meets. He loves people. Anthony looks to his parents, Fran and Joe, as well as Oprah Winfrey as role models. His parents’ commitment to each other, family, and community has inspired him to live his life by doing things that will hopefully inspire and entertain.  We are so pleased to present Anthony Nunziata as our latest Mover and Shaker!

Peachy Deegan interviewed Anthony Nunziata for Whom You Know.

Peachy Deegan: What is your first singing memory?

Anthony Nunziata: According to my mother (who also went to Boston College and graduated the year Peachy was born) I've been singing since the womb, but my first memory was during a nursery school Christmas concert belting out Jingle Bells.

Tell us one thing about your twin that everyone should know that they don't know now.

That he is younger than me.

What are your favorite three things about Boston College and why?

Life-long friends; the Jesuit teachings of "men and women for others" along with the strong liberal arts education; and the "division one" arts programs at Boston College, particularly the University Chorale and Theater Deaprtment.

What do you prefer in Manhattan to Chestnut Hill?

There is so much to do Manhattan, the options are endless.

What do you prefer in Chestnut Hill to Manhattan?

Chestnut Hill reminds me so much of my childhood hometown of Pelham Manor, NY. Quaint, friendly people, and beautiful surroundings with greenery and Colonial homes.

What has been your best performing experience and why?

Every performance is special to me because I get to meet so many different people at every show. The most memorable was singing with Will the song "Our Time" with the Boston Pops Orchestra. This opportunity was arranged by our University Chorale director John Finney. We sang the song at the annual "Pops on the Heights" in Boston College's Conte Forum Arena. It was a special evening...sharing the stage with my brother, singing the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim that says "it's our time/breathe it in/worlds to change and worlds to win...me and you pal/me and you", my parents and sister in the audience, and the fact it was on that day the two-year anniversary of my Gramma's death...it was quite a memorable experience.

If you could perform on any stage where would you most like to perform and why?

Carnegie Hall, because my Gramma saw Frank Sinatra perform there and it would mean so much to perform in a venue that I knew my Gramma attended.

What is your favorite song to sing alone, and favorite song to sing with your twin and why?

I have a lot of favorite songs. My director, Richard Jay-Alexander, introduced me to a pop song that was written by a songwriter who is no longer with us. The song is called "Ray of Hope". It's an anthem for our time. I enjoy singing the song "The Prayer" with my brother because the lyrics are in Italian and in English and there is the unifying message of hope.

What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?

My parents. I am grateful for such loving and supportive parents who instilled within me a strong work ethic and understanding to do what you love to do, do what the world needs you to do, and if you love what you do and it makes you happy, keep on doing it!

What are you proudest of and why?

I am proud and humbled that I have the opportunity to follow my dreams.

What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?

Perform in Carnegie Hall.

What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?

Central Park.

What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?

Duane Reade. It has everything. Almost.

What is your favorite drink?

Water with a slice of lemon.

What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?

Vice Versa on 51st Street between 8th and 9th. Best Italian food in NYC. Say hello to my good friends and owners Franco and Stefano.

What is your favorite Manhattan book?

There are too many to choose just one.

What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?

Well, if we play the association game here, the New York Athletic Club's (NYAC) headquarters are in Manhattan, and the NYAC has a "country club" at Traver's Island in Pelham, NY where I played platform tennis, and through the NYAC, my brother and I were fortunate to win the Junior National Platform Tennis Doubles Championships two years in a row when we were in high school.

What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?

See a Broadway show and take a subway uptown to see a game at Yankee Stadium in the same day.

What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?

Seeing Hello Dolly! with my parents, brother, sister and Gramma because it was so moving to see my dad and Gramma smiling and singing the songs together during the show.

What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?

I don't have an opinion on what's overrated, but I think the people of Manhattan sometimes get a bad rap. I've met a lot of nice people.

Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?

I like PEACHY'S PICKS. I'm pumped to check out Peachy's pick of Primavera on the Upper East side.

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?

I usually always order chocolate milkshakes with dinner. And I love chocolate chip cookies. And playing tennis.

How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?

Best way to get in touch is via my brother's and my website at www.WillandAnthony.com.