Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Simona Rodano of Astoria

Simona Rodano shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Simona, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is full of work and love to give. I wake up early, feed my cat Stellina, and immediately dive into preparations for my new upcoming edu-musical, Pinocchio Pop. After that, I call my mother in Italy and my husband Luigi to stay connected to my family even across the ocean.

My days are also dedicated to my students, I’m currently helping to stage the annual school play at St. John’s Prep High School, which brings so much joy and creativity into my routine. And because balance matters, I make sure to carve out time to go to the gym and recharge my energy.

Every day feels like a beautiful blend of artistic work, education, family connection, and taking care of myself, all of which keep me inspired for what’s ahead.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Simona Rodano, an Italian-born performer, producer, and educator based in New York City. Many children and families in the United States know me as “The Italian Fairy”, a magical character I created to introduce young audiences to Italian language and culture through music, theatre, and storytelling. My mission is simple but powerful: to help children discover new languages and cultural identities through joy, imagination, and the arts.

I am the founder and CEO of Incanto Productions, a bilingual edutainment company that will proudly celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026. Over the years, Incanto has developed original edu-musicals and programs that have brought more than 90,000 students to theaters across the NYC Tri-State Area. Our productions transform learning into an experience, interactive, musical, and unforgettable.

I also serve as the President of the Global EduLanguage Foundation (GEF), a nonprofit recognized by the Italian Consulate. GEF supports schools in promoting Italian language and culture, develops innovative curricula for K–12 programs, and connects communities through arts-based education. It is an evolution of many years of work empowering students to embrace multilingualism.

Right now, I am working on Pinocchio Pop — EduConcerto, a brand-new musical experience that will bring thousands of American students to theaters to sing the iconic songs written by the legendary Italian band Pooh for Pinocchio. It officially launches in March 2026 across multiple theaters in New York and the Tri-State region.

Whether I am performing as the Italian Fairy, designing educational pathways for schools, or producing large-scale shows, my passion remains the same:
storytelling that builds bridges, between languages, cultures, and young minds ready to explore the world.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world tried to define me, I was a curious scientist, a biologist fascinated by how life works. At the same time, I was a singer who couldn’t resist the call of music and performance whenever I had the chance. I lived between microscopes and microphones, never imagining that one day those two passions, science and art , would come together to shape a career dedicated to inspiring young minds through creativity, culture, and learning.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Never. I have struggled, especially around the age of 28–29, when pursuing what I loved most felt uncertain and risky. But giving up was never an option. I held onto my dreams with determination, even when the path ahead was unclear. That’s exactly what I tell my students today: never, ever give up on your dreams. They may take time, hard work, and courage, but when you stay true to what makes your heart beat faster, the journey becomes worth every challenge.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, especially as an artist, I believe you cannot be a “fake you.” When you perform, you connect deeply with your emotions and share them with others. Even if you are playing a role in a musical or singing a song written by someone else, the feelings you bring to the stage are real. They come from who you truly are.

I live my life with strong ethics, passion, and authenticity. The person audiences see, full of energy, heart, and imagination, is the same person I am when the curtain closes. My public version is grounded in my true self.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
we all have a “ clock” above our heads. I think that to stop wasting time on anything that doesn’t align with purpose, love, or creativity is a good thing. No more overthinking, no more unnecessary stress, and no more saying “yes” to things that distract from what truly matters. Try to dedicate time to the people I love, the students I inspire, and the projects that make a positive impact, fully present, fully alive is the key for a happy life.

And in all honesty, as the years pass, this mindset becomes a natural need. It’s no longer about fearing how much time we have left, it’s about recognizing the value of each day and making it count, with gratitude and intention.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photo by Christian Fiore
Photo by @philproxo

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