Antonio Pontarelli
Encyclopedia
Antonio Pontarelli the concertmaster of the San Diego Youth Symphony from 2003 to 2005, winner of seven violin competitions as well as numerous other national and international music awards, is further known as a singer/songwriter and electric violin
ist. He has performed for National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
events, music festivals, rock concerts and USA television broadcasts with Grammy award-winning musicians.
Pontarelli started composing for national television at 11 and has made 8 national television appearances. In April 2006 he received the most votes in the teen category for the "Peoples Voice Award" of the prestigious International Songwriting Competition and also won the Inland Empire Weekly's annual award for "Best Rook Band". In 2007 Pontarelli won for "Best Performance" in the Unisong International Songwriting Competition, was named "Best Instrumentalist" and "Best Artist" at the "Southern California Music Awards" and again placed with the "Inland Empire Music Awards”. In April 2008, he was again winner of the International Songwriting Competition
's 'People's Voice Award'. His Hurricane Katrina
-inspired epic song "Things Fall Apart" was named "Best Song of the Month" by website Songwriter Universe.
Television appearances include winning the PAX TV America's Most Talented Kid
Grand Championship. He has performed as soloist with the San Diego Symphony
and the "World Civic Orchestra" and shared stages with Jethro Tull
, Billy Preston
, and Ray Charles
among others. In February 2006 his performances from the red carpet of the 48th Annual Grammy Awards were featured on "The Tonight Show
", CNN
, TV Guide
and E!
. Pontarelli has re-introduced Classic and Baroque influences into "alternative music" culture, performing string arrangements and electric violin tracks for System of a Down
singer Serj Tankian
's album Elect the Dead
. Pontarelli's own band has played internationally, including at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival
.
Electric violin
An electric violin is a violin equipped with an electronic output of its sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument purposely made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body...
ist. He has performed for National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
events, music festivals, rock concerts and USA television broadcasts with Grammy award-winning musicians.
Pontarelli started composing for national television at 11 and has made 8 national television appearances. In April 2006 he received the most votes in the teen category for the "Peoples Voice Award" of the prestigious International Songwriting Competition and also won the Inland Empire Weekly's annual award for "Best Rook Band". In 2007 Pontarelli won for "Best Performance" in the Unisong International Songwriting Competition, was named "Best Instrumentalist" and "Best Artist" at the "Southern California Music Awards" and again placed with the "Inland Empire Music Awards”. In April 2008, he was again winner of the International Songwriting Competition
International Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition is an annual song contest based in Nashville, TN, whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of...
's 'People's Voice Award'. His Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
-inspired epic song "Things Fall Apart" was named "Best Song of the Month" by website Songwriter Universe.
Television appearances include winning the PAX TV America's Most Talented Kid
America's Most Talented Kid
America's Most Talented Kid was an American television series that originally aired on NBC on March 28, 2003. In each round, three age groups...
Grand Championship. He has performed as soloist with the San Diego Symphony
San Diego Symphony
The San Diego Symphony is an American symphony orchestra, based in San Diego, California. On 6 December 1910, it gave its first concert as the San Diego Civic Orchestra.Currently, the Symphony performs over 100 concerts each season...
and the "World Civic Orchestra" and shared stages with Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, and Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
among others. In February 2006 his performances from the red carpet of the 48th Annual Grammy Awards were featured on "The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
", CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
and E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
. Pontarelli has re-introduced Classic and Baroque influences into "alternative music" culture, performing string arrangements and electric violin tracks for System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
singer Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
's album Elect the Dead
Elect the Dead
-Personnel:* All Songs Written & Performed by Serj Tankian - Stunning Suppository Sounds '...
. Pontarelli's own band has played internationally, including at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival
Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival
Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival is one of the largest jazz festivals in the world and arguably the biggest in in the Southern Hemisphere, held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The annual jazz festival is held every early March and was designed to be one of the largest jazz festivals globally...
.