As a young child, Melissa Frabotta, now 20, would sometimes get in trouble for always humming in class. She later joined the school chorus, musicals, sang the National Anthem at games and started a 'Songwriter Workshop' club at Yorktown High School.
The talented musician has now taken on an exciting, new challenge.
Frabotta, a 2011 Yorktown High School graduate who is currently studying Studio Composition at SUNY Purchase, has recorded an album. Her first album "Kites & Clouds" is a collection of seven original compositions, which were written between 2009-2012.
"The songs are mainly about different types of observations or stories I've imagined or heard, and a few are about my own life," said Frabotta, who is having her album release party at 12 Grapes in Peekskill on Friday, Aug. 9 at 9:30 p.m.
The featured track of the album 'Kites and Clouds' is one of the songs that was written from her own perspective, she said.
"I used to believe that smokestacks were cloud makers as a child, and the idea inspired me to write a song about the innocent things we believe in as a kid," she said. "Each song contrasts one another and balances each other out nicely."
Frabotta wrote, performed, produced, arranged, and designed the entire album, all with the help of her talented friends, musicians and artists.
"People have been asking for recordings of my songs for ages, and this album is finally a chance for me to give them that," she said. "This album shows that hard work, a vision and a goal really is the key to getting to where you want to be."
Her audience can expect to hear a variety of spunky rock, folk, pop, gutsy soul singing and energy, she said.
Frabotta said she has always had a huge interest for music, however it really took off when her brother took interest in the saxophone and guitar; and she listened to Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Thrice and other bands while she was in middle school.
"It was the first time that I had been introduced to music like that and it opened my eyes," she said. "Listening was – and still is – a huge reason why I became so interested in music; sound itself releases so many different types of energy, as if it's a language. Every culture has it, and evokes similar feelings to one another from it, making 'sound' the widest spread language across the globe."
Her goal for her music career is to continue her studies and become a better writer, arranger, player and performer, she said. She is also hoping to release a digital extended play [EP] this coming fall and plan a tour for next summer.
"I'm very interested in music therapy and education, so I am considering those fields for the future as well," she said.
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Melissa Frabotta's Release Party is at 12 Grapes in Peekskill on Friday, Aug. 9 at 9:30 p.m. There will be free raffles, live music, CD's available for purchase and other merchandise. 12 Grapes is located at 12 North Division Street.
To purchase a digital download and listen to her new album, visit http://melissafrabottamusic.bandcamp.com.
Another upcoming performance is scheduled for Aug. 16 at The Winery of St. George in Mohegan Lake.
For more information on Frabotta, check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/melissafrabottamusic, where she posts upcoming gigs, photos and keeps in touch with fans.
To check out some of her music, visit her YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/user/MelissaFrabottaMusic.
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