Deanna and City Music student Quinton Monteiro performing Lady Gaga's "Just Dance"

It was August 7th and the Berklee Performance Center was buzzing with excitement about that night’s event. Berklee City Music was having its 20th Anniversary Scholarship Concert. Many alumni were joining us for the show as well as 2009 American Idol Winner, Kris Allen. We caught up with one of our very special alums, Deanna DellaCioppa, right before the show. Deanna and Kris Allen

Deanna is special because she belongs to the very first group of students to ever receive 4-year scholarships to Berklee College of Music by being a part of City Music. Her career since then has been illustrious. She has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, and her songs can be heard on over 70 film and television projects.

At the show she performed a fresh rendition of Lady Gaga’s Just Dance alongside 15-year-old City Music student Quinton Monteiro, as well as joining Kris Allen and the students in his song Live Like We’re Dying.

Take a look at this interview to hear about Deanna’s history, her career, and her invaluable advice to music students at any stage in their careers:

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During this past summer’s Five Week Summer Performance Program, when 100 City Music students were joining in the crowds of summer students, Derrick Tabb and Allison Reinhardt, the directors of our network site The Roots of Music joined us in our office.

The Roots of Music is a special site located in New Orleans. Their vision is summed up in this blurb from their site.

“Roots of Music uses New Orleans’ musical heritage as a stepping stone to changing lives. We’re an organization that helps at-risk kids through music education, tutoring and mentoring—unlocking their potential as individuals, and building a nationally-recognized marching band along the way. We’re using New Orleans’ musical heritage to build its future. It’s a big vision, but your support can make a huge difference in a child’s life—and eventually, an entire generation of New Orleans youth.”

Check out this video interview and be inspired by the lives they are changing. They also speak about their very special opportunity to have their marching band play at the 2012 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA.