If you began the first years of your life singing songs to your recording artist/record producer Dad, took weekly voice and piano lessons since the age of 9, joined every possible music-related afterschool activity available as a child, graduated college with a performance degree and taught voice and piano since you were a teenager; then would you be surprised to have recently signed a record contract, be recording and releasing your debut CD with a major record label at the age of 25? Well, neither is Elisa Girlando! This local, North-Jersey girl takes all the remarkable events that are happening in her young life with a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh and totally in-stride. Elisa has been immersed in singing, teaching and performing music her entire life and feels lucky to be able to make it her career. “I grew up with the best R&B music-man alive, my Daddy,” Elisa proclaims with pride and sincerity. “I sang to him as a young child, he liked what he heard, and we’ve been a team ever since.” Phil Garland decided to have Elisa record the song “I’m A Woman” in the Fall of 2008 for his Hit Play Record label. He played the finished song for executives at Sony, and when they heard her performance they quickly realized that her expressive voice and distinctive style were truly something special. Elisa was instantly paired with the RED Music Division of Sony/BMG that specializes in artist development and digital music distribution. It’s not often that local musical artists get signed to major records labels…what’s even more remarkable is that Elisa was signed in a matter of days based on the strength of that one song! Elisa credits her father and longtime jazz/blues vocal instructor Denise DeLieo with helping her to develop a technique that combines influences from “The power of Etta James, the smoothness of Ella Fitzgerald and the craziness of Regina Spector”, as she so aptly states. Interestingly enough, Elisa is also a huge fan of “The sound aand live performance of The Dave Matthews Band.” With rock-solid influences like these and backed by Phil Garland’s rock ‘n blues band pros “Out Of Truth”, Elisa has been able to craft a live show and debut CD that captures her mature vocal expressions and distinctive, signature style. “I think my love of music comes out in my songs, and in making my Dad proud,” Elisa beams. Although she candidly admits that it can get stressful and a little scary in the studio working with her father and his 40 years of industry experience. She laughs as she adds: “If you make a mistake in the studio while he’s playing guitar or violin, he’ll usually stop, not say a word, but simply starts to play “If I Only Had A Brain” from the Wizard of Oz!” When Elisa is not on-stage or in the studio, she is running her “Vocal & Piano Performance Camp” teaching to her “extended family” of students that literally range from a 5-year who is playing Beethoven on the piano to a 60-year old who sings every week in her church’s choir. The entire Girlando family is extremely close-knit and supportive of Elisa, all her endeavors and her success. Sister Gina, a middle school English teacher attends every show and was instrumental in tutoring Elisa on the “general education” requirements throughout middle school, high school and college. And her Mom Donna has been a mainstay at all her events and performances. “I can always find my Mom at a show bopping to the songs and singing along with the lyrics at the back of the room”, Elisa notes with a wry smile. When asked about what was one of her most memorable moments, Elisa recalls her high school Senior Prom. She was not permitted to sing that National Anthem at her high school graduation, so when it came time for the Prom, her fellow classmates voted to have her sing at that venue. “I was so honored and sang ‘Since I Fell For You’ that evening”, she recalls fondly. That might have been a little prophetic as Elisa is now engaged and set to wed “the guy who came with me to my Senior Prom” Robert Woodard in October. These days find Elisa Girlando busy singing, performing, recording and teaching…not much different for this powerful, young dynamo than her past 10 years. “Dad’s still the boss,” she laughs (with that contagious laugh), “but this is really so much fun, and all so worth it”, she concludes. Remember that you read this article, because sooner or later, you’ll be saying: “I remember when I read my first story about Elisa Girlando!” This young lady is the real deal, with a sound you have likely been wanting to hear for years, and a message of strength and conviction.