Member Mondays - Featuring: Natalie Cardillo!
Meet...Natalie “Natkat” Cardillo!
All things Cape Harmony!
Q: How did you hear about Cape Harmony?
A: "Through Jon Smith, the former music director of my collegiate group, Vocal Point, and a previous member of the Hyannis Sound. He encouraged me to audition so that we could both have awesome a cappella experiences on the Cape."
Q: What made you interested in becoming the music director of CH?
A: "I was really interested because I had been music director for UD’s Vocal Point and wanted to try leading an all female group. I love arranging female a cappella music and wanted to gain more experience leading a professional group."
Q: This is your second year in CH. Why did you decide to come back and how has it been so far?
A: "Well, I guess because I was elected music director, but even before that, I wanted to come back because I wanted to work with and arrange for an all female group. I had so much fun living on the Cape and just doing music for the summer. Ellie Brigida [CH alum and former music director] encouraged me to come back as MD and I wanted to carry on what she taught me as assistant music director."
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Cape Harmony?
A: “Making music with other people whose main focus is music without the stress of school and jobs. Sometimes other commitments get in the way of the music, so I love being able to work with everyone when they're able to be as focused and dedicated as possible.”
Q: What's your favorite CH memory?
A: "One of my favorite memories was during my first summer when Cape Harmony learned my first arrangement, and hearing it all come together and having everyone be excited about it. Megan Gladden riffed something for the first time and we got a video of it and we just kept watching the video over and over again because it was so good."
More about Natalie!
Q: Who’s the best teacher you've had?
A: “My choir teacher from high school, Mr. Ehrlich. He taught me so many things about music and inspired me to study music education in college.”
Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: “Corned beef hash.”
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
A: “Check my text messages.”
Q: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
A: “One time, I ordered a tuna sandwich from a sandwich shop and got it to-go. When I got home, I found out that they forgot the tuna (there was only lettuce, tomato, and cheese). I had to go back and ask for tuna. The guy told me that he had realized after I left that he forgot the tuna. It was his first day working there, and he felt really bad so he gave me a bunch of coupons.”
Q: What are you afraid of?
A: “Praying mantises”
Q: If you won a million dollars, what would you buy?
A: “Corn dogs, because I just went to the fair and every stand was out of corn dogs.”
Q: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
A: “When people use pots and leave them out and let the food get crusty."
Q: Describe yourself in three words.
A: “Easygoing, independent, hungry”
Q: Where are you from and what are your favorite/least favorite things about that place?
A: “I’m from Farfax, Virginia. My favorite thing about it is that it’s close to Washington, DC, so there are a lot of things to do. My least favorite thing is that there is so much traffic.”
Q: What’s the most aca-awkward thing that has ever happened to you?
A: "In high school, my a cappella group sang “Fly” by Nikkia Minaj and Rhianna, and I had to perform the rap at a nursing home, but I tried to make it really sweet and cute sounding. I had to change the words to try to make it more appropriate, but it was super awkward. There’s a video of it on youtube somewhere.”
Click here to view Natalie's bio page.
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Love, CH
