Competing in Miss America pageant just one of a long list of accomplishments for Rehoboth woman
Billy and Janine Musto of Rehoboth are the parents of Miss Massachuetts Alissa Musto who will be competing in the Miss America pageant on Sept. 11 in Atlantic City. Alissa's talent will be piano performance. Her father is also a professional piano player.
Posted: Monday, September 5, 2016 10:16 pm | Updated: 11:13 pm, Mon Sep 5, 2016.
REHOBOTH - Alissa Musto has done it all: She's a Harvard University graduate with a degree in government, a House of Blues Alumni Advisory Board member, a Boston Symphony Orchestra collegiate ambassador, a volunteer music director at Dorchester Collegiate Academy, a one-time contestant on "America's Most Talented Kids" and founder of the non-profit Changing Keys: Connecting Kids with Keyboards.
And, she's only 21.
Is it any wonder Musto will represent Massachusetts in the Miss America pageant Sept. 11 in Atlantic City?
But before Musto reached those heights, she was just a little girl from Rehoboth with a love of music and family.
At the age of 4, she started learning the piano, which she picked up from her father, Billy Musto, a professional musician and 20-year resident of Rehoboth.
"Playing the piano was so natural for my daughter," Billy said. "She watched me play, and caught on immediately."
Once Musto turned 6, she began to take an interest in the performing aspect of music, and would beg to go with her father whenever he'd perform.
Soon enough, Musto and her dad were performing at area elder-care centers.
"When she first started, she performed for 20 minutes, then 30, and before you know it, she was playing an hour - even longer," Billy said.
In February 2005, Alissa made her national TV debut on "America's Most Talented Kid" performing a medley of Mozart and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Two years later, she won the New England Performs Regional Competition in her age category - 12 and under.
"She is extremely driven and motivated, always putting her entire heart and soul into all she does," Billy said.
Billy recalled a time when his daughter asked him for help on one of her first homework assignments. Not expecting her reaction, he gave her the answer.
"Oh boy, was that the worst thing I've ever done," he said.
"She was so mad at me. I didn't understand that she wanted to find the answer herself. That's when I realized she was going to make so many accomplishments within her lifetime."
And the accomplishments kept on coming.
Musto went on to attend Harvard, where she majored in government. She didn't just attend, she was chief of staff for the Harvard Government/Legal Studies Club, a volunteer for Harvard Reading Buddies and was selected as the student speaker at graduation.
Only two months ago, Musto was crowned Miss Massachusetts. Ever since, she's been rehearsing for the five rounds of the competition, which include a private interview, evening wear, talent, swimwear and the onstage question.
As a musician, Musto has put the most time and effort into the talent portion of the show, where she will perform a 90-second jazz and classical piano medley for a live TV audience of millions.
Dad isn't too worried.
"She's been ready for this day ever since she was a little girl," Billy said.
If Musto is crowned Miss America, she'll be the first to win for Massachusetts in the history of the pageant and will embark on a year of service, travelling more than 20,000 miles a month advocating for her personal platform - Changing Keys: Connecting Keys with Keyboards.
Connecting Kids with Keyboards aims to bring pianos into schools so children have a means of expressing themselves musically.
"It's a great way to promote my platform and what I stand for," she said.
The Miss America pageant will air on ABC at 9 p.m. Sept. 11 from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
The 52 Miss America contestants were welcomed to the seaside resort Tuesday afternoon to kick off two weeks that will culminate in the crowning of the 2017 Miss America.
The contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico met the public in front of Boardwalk Hall.
This year's competition is the 96th in the history of the pageant, which originated as a way to extend the summer tourist season in Atlantic City for an extra week beyond Labor Day.
No matter what happens - crown or no crown - Musto and her Rehoboth family say they're happy.
"I'm so proud to have watched my daughter come this far," Billy said. "As a parent, all we can do is support and encourage our children on all that they do."
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/competing-in-miss-america-pageant-just-one-of-a-long/article_2ec183a1-0a4f-5fc8-845a-01ca45896480.html
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