Imagine waking up on a Tuesday morning, getting ready, and heading to class. For the typical CMU student, it might be Quantum Physics or Management Information Systems or Survey of Forms: Fiction, but for Francesca Bonadonna it’s Counterpoint- a class that requires her to analyze music’s choral structures. Followed by Choir, in which she sings amongst some of the best vocal performance majors in the country. In the CMU vocal performance program, there are currently 18 juniors including Francesca. In addition to pursuing the vocal major, she is also on track for a business minor.
Francesca’s musical abilities were discovered in the third grade during her Long Island elementary school’s talent show while singing “Part of Your World” by the Little Mermaid. She began taking voice lessons in the seventh grade and continued until enrolling as a student in CMU. Her freshman and sophomore year she worked hard to be successful through the 69-72 units each semester as well as the required crew participation for the campus opera shows. As a junior, she devotes her time to academics in addition to her extracurriculars. Within her campus activities she dedicates herself as a strong leader. Currently, she is the Vice President of Membership for Sigma Alpha Iota and the Greek Sing Chair and Academic Development chair for Delta Delta Delta. When asked why she loves these positions, she says it’s because of the importance of philanthropy that comes with them.
As Greek Sing Chair, she focuses not only on directing and producing a 13 minute musical show, but also on raising money for the Children’s Institute. For several months, she commits herself to encouraging her Delta Delta Delta sisters to actively obtain donations, raise awareness for the children’s institute, and participate in campus fundraisers.
In Sigma Alpha Iota, the co-ed music fraternity of CMU, Francesca not only serves as the VP of Membership but also participates in all of the organization’s philanthropy events. She is involved with Relay for Life, gathers old instrumental parts to be sent to third world countries to be used, and regularly sings at nursing homes and care centers. She proudly states, “Sigma Alpha Iota has been a great way for me to connect with musicians all over campus and use our love of music to bring joy to other people.”
Her favorite philanthropy organization is St. Jude, but she has not yet been able to do something musically for them. She says if given the opportunity, she would like to go to the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and teach the children music.
She would like to be able to keep integrating her passion for music with her love for philanthropy. When asked why, she says “I think that being able to do philanthropy while using my talent is something really special and I can see the joy it’s bringing the people that we perform for.” So look out for her on campus, representing Sigma Alpha Iota, Delta Delta Delta, and her other organizations, as well as utilizing and exemplifying her love for philanthropy.