The Honorable David Tubiolo, Westchester County Board of Legislators, has officially declared March 28, 2026, as the first-ever Cristiana Pegoraro Day, to be celebrated in New York during Women’s History Month. But why is this day so special, so important? To answer that question, we must start at the beginning.
Cristiana Pegoraro was born in Terni, Italy, in the region of Umbria. At just four years old, music became both her language and her refuge. She rehearsed daily, dedicating herself to the piano with extraordinary discipline and focus. In an exclusive interview with La Media New York, Cristiana recalls,
“I learned to read musical notes before I learned to read words. Each morning, I would give a kiss to the piano and a kiss to my mom before leaving for kindergarten. I simply loved to spend time at the piano—it was spontaneous, something I just HAD to do.” Even at that young age, her drive and devotion were evident. Each time her hands touch the keys, she pours every ounce of emotion into them, transforming sound into feeling.
Through those keys lives the melodies of the great classical masters—Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and others whose work has shaped the foundations of classical music. And one day, Cristiana would come one step closer to joining their ranks, composing melodies of her own.
When we think of International Women’s Day, our minds often turn to the global stage—to the initiatives of the United Nations and the voices of women rising across nations. Cristiana embodies that very spirit. She collaborates with institutions such as the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, as well as humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme and UNICEF. She represents a form of leadership rooted not in power, but in love.
From her bench at the grand piano—where she rehearses for hours each day—to the global initiatives she supports, her spirit evokes the timeless imagery of Italian art. In many ways, Cristiana’s journey mirrors the symbolism of La Primavera by Sandro Botticelli, one of my favorite masterpieces housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. As a child, she was much like Flora in the garden—full of dreams, possibilities, and the quiet nurturing of a future yet to unfold. In conversation, Cristiana shared,
“I love nature and animals so much that I wanted to become a veterinarian, even before wanting to become a concert pianist. My dream was to have a big garden, to host animals who needed assistance, cure them, give them a place to stay. I wanted to be surrounded by animals and help take care of them.”
As Cristiana matured, her strength and artistic voice continued to flourish, embodying the harmony and grace represented by The Three Graces—symbols of beauty, creativity, and generosity of spirit.
Like Mercury, the messenger god who carries messages between realms, Cristiana connects worlds—her music, her humanitarian work, and the hearts of her audience. Serving as an Ambassador of San Valentino, Cristiana carries messages of love, harmony, and inspiration, guiding those who experience her art toward deeper beauty and connection. And like Zephyrus, the west wind whose breath awakens the garden and spreads life wherever it flows, Cristiana moves through the world as a force of guidance and inspiration.
At the center of this symbolic garden stands Venus, the embodiment of love and harmony, uniting all the elements of the scene, reminding us that the divine feminine—a representation of the balance of light and dark—creates balance in oneself. Cristiana stands heart to heart with this image, as a conduit restoring balance throughout humanity.
As Founder and President of the Narnia Arts Academy and Artistic Director of the Narnia Festival, and as an educator who has taught at the world-renowned Juilliard School, she nurtures talent, cultivates creativity, and guides the next generation of musicians to bloom under her mentorship. Each performance, each lesson, each act of direction is like a gust of wind, carrying the seeds of artistry, passion, and excellence far beyond her own stage—cultivating the next generation of artists. She leaves a lasting legacy in music, paving the way for musicians of our future. Throughout Italian history, the feminine divine has often been portrayed as both powerful and nurturing—figures such as Caterina Sforza or the great scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini remind us that strength and compassion are not opposing forces, but complementary ones. True divine femininity lives in the balance between light and shadow—chiaroscuro —the recognition that depth gives meaning to beauty.
Through her powerful presence, Cristiana’s music has filled halls where some of the most influential figures of our time gather—from presidents and ambassadors to diplomats and cultural leaders. Yet, the essence of her work lies not in titles or stages. When she performs, she gently carries the listener through a spectrum of emotion—through rhythm, silence, and melody. At times she even weaves poetic words between the music, shaping a narrative that invites the audience to experience something profoundly human. During the loneliness of the COVID years, her music became a source of hope. Last year, on the stage of Carnegie Hall, it became a source of peace.
This day, declared during Women’s History Month, calls on all of us to reflect on something deeper. What are the gifts we have been given? What is our mission? How can we give back to society—to make it warmer, kinder, and more connected? That kind of calling—the courage to keep moving forward, to keep dreaming—is the talent of a woman who has faced herself time and time again and still chooses to believe. Still chooses to create. Still chooses to hope.
Just like the little girl in the garden—dreaming not of stages, but of becoming a veterinarian, surrounded by animals she longed to protect—that instinct remains unchanged. She followed the calling of her heart and today has become the archetype of Venus, tending to the souls of humankind through her sounds. Her mission shines even more brightly than could ever have been imagined, as she safeguards the sanctity of humanity and the sanctuary of life through music, humanitarian work, and leadership. The common thread through it all is simple: everything she does flows from the same place—her heart. It is this very combination of vision, artistry, and heart that defines Cristiana Pegoraro—from her early dedication at the piano to her global humanitarian work, her music and mentorship continue to shape lives, uplift communities, and inspire the next generation of artists to pursue their dreams with the same passion and grace.
On the occasion of Women’s History Month, Cristiana Pegoraro was recognized with the establishment of “Cristiana Pegoraro Day,” to be celebrated on March 28, 2026. The proclamation was issued by the Westchester County Board of Legislators and presented by the Honorable David Tubiolo, with the board chaired by President, the Honorable Vedat Gashi.
During the New York event, Cristiana performed her composition Sailing Away on piano, accompanied by a projection of the music video shot in Carsulae, Terni, and produced by the Fondazione Carit—a testament to her dedication to promoting and valuing her homeland.
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with my longtime friend, the Honorable David Tubiolo, whom I have known since our days as young adults serving in the Auxiliary at the Columbus Citizens Foundation. He shared with me his admiration for Cristiana Pegoraro. “Cristiana is the epitome of culture, heritage, music, and talent, bringing true passion to the art for the public benefit. She is a true humanitarian, both proud of her roots from Italy and as a global citizen spreading joy in the world.”
The Honorable Tubiolo’s words resonate deeply with the journey we have explored—from her earliest dreams at the piano to her leadership at the Narnia Arts Academy and beyond—reminding us that true artistry is inseparable from heart, heritage, and service to humanity.
Recipient of nine medals from the President of Italy for outstanding achievements, Ms. Pegoraro’s concert career spans five continents. Her extensive discography includes 34 recordings, six of which feature her own compositions. She is the author of the poetry book Ithaka and a series of children’s books inspired by opera.
Cristiana has received more than 50 international awards, including the World Peace Award from the Italian Cultural Society of the United Nations in New York. Most notably, Cristiana Pegoraro recalls one of the highlights of her life when she was awarded The Golden Apple (La Mela d’Oro) Bellisario Award from the Marisa Bellisario Foundation. This prestigious recognition was presented live on RAI1 and broadcasted worldwide.
“DONNE CHE FANNO LA DIFFERENZA (Women Who Make A Difference) event was held on March 3, 2023, for the 35th Anniversary of the Bellisario Award at the Aula Magna of La Sapienza University in Rome. It was very emotional for me to play my own composition inspired by the Iranian poet, Forugh Farrokhzad, un inno alla liberta’ e ai diritti delle donne iraniane, e non solo (an anthem for freedom and rights for the women of Iran). Following the concert, I had a private visit with the President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. This was a very emotional moment to meet him in person and shake his hand. It was in a very private greeting room with just a few people including ministers from the government. It was very touching, to be part of this event dedicated to the women of the world, in front of our President and a full house.”
The dream is alive in Cristiana, and her relentless spirit is unwavering, as her work on this earth is still not complete. The little girl with dreams in the garden are still as alive as ever. As our conversation comes to a close, we touch on legacy and what is to come from her in the future. She concludes by sharing with me, “Who knows—becoming a veterinarian might be something I will go back to sometime down the road.”
Through her artistry, mentorship, leadership, and humanitarian work, Cristiana Pegoraro continues to embody the highest ideals of culture, heritage, and the divine feminine. She is an inspiration not only to musicians and artists, but to all who seek to live a life that cultivates beauty, harmony, and generosity in our world. So, in that spirit, we pay homage to this force of nature on March 28, 2026, at the first-ever Cristiana Pegoraro Day, from the crossroads of the world in New York.
