Rhode Island welcomed a touch of Italian magic when Simona Rodano, internationally recognized artist and educator known as La Fata Italiana – The Italian Fairy, arrived at Monsignor Clarke School to bring joy, culture, and language learning to more than 200 students studying Italian.
Rodano, based in New York, has spent the last two decades traveling across the United States to promote Italian language and culture through a unique blend of music, theatre, storytelling, and movement. With her signature sparkle and dynamic energy, she transforms every school visit into a full immersion experience where children learn Italian naturally, while singing, dancing, and laughing.
This special visit to Rhode Island was made possible thanks to the generosity of Maria M. Porreca, owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar - East Greenwich , longtime supporters of La Fata Italiana’s mission. The family first met Simona seven years ago, when after being seen on abc television during the Columbus Day Parade she was contacted to perform at the birthday party of their daughters, Nica and Nina. The reunion in Rhode Island became an emotional moment, filled with gratitude and memories, proof that the seeds of culture planted years ago continue to grow.
Accompanying Simona on this journey was actor, dancer, and choreographer Pasqualino Beltempo, whose theatrical talent added rhythm, color, and movement to the experience. Together, they created a vibrant, interactive performance that mesmerized students from kindergarten through middle school.
One of the most heartwarming surprises of the day came when Simona discovered that Mrs. Cecelia Signati, the Italian teacher at Monsignor Clarke, had been using The Italian Fairy’s educational materials for many years. Without knowing it, an artistic connection had already been thriving inside the school.
The moment Simona stepped into the gym, she was greeted by the magical sound of children singing her songs, in Italian. Their voices filled the room with “ Canto e Conto” , “Il Blues dei Colori” “La Caprese,” and other beloved tracks that have helped thousands of young learners embrace the beauty of the Italian language.
“What a great surprise to see children singing the Italian Fairy songs in Italian! My heart was full of joy,” Simona shared.
"Thank you to the Porreca Family for making this a reality here at MCS! I was so happy to see all of our students communicating in Italian, it was beautiful to watch how excited the kids were to learn and participate in the show!" Principal, Ms. Sousa said.
“ Italian must be sung, celebrated and lived. I am so grateful to have finally met Simona, whose work as La Fata Italiana I have long admired. My students were delighted to sing and dance along with La Fata Italiana and Pasqualino Beltempo as Pulcinella. The overriding question has been: When will they return? Simona and Pasqualino are certainly a tough act to follow! Until we are able to sing together again, I will keep the music going and the joy for Italian language and culture alive in my classroom.” said Mrs. Signati.
“As the generations pass, it becomes ever more important to celebrate and preserve our Italian heritage. Our roots carry our history, and our stories keep us connected to the ancestors who shaped us. La Fata Italiana is a gift, a way to learn the language and culture which keeps our heritage alive” said Ms. Porreca.
The event was more than a performance, it was a celebration of community, heritage, and education. It highlighted the impact that arts-based learning can have on language acquisition and showed how cultural programs can create lifelong memories and connections.
As La Fata Italiana continues her 20-year journey inspiring children across the country, Rhode Island is now part of her magical map. And for the students of Monsignor Clarke School, Italian is no longer just a language, it’s a song, a story, a dance, and a joyful adventure.
