Alumni Spotlight: Johnny Calabrese

Johnny Calabrese has a story to tell, one that begins in Utica and comes full circle on the Proctor stage.

A 2020 Proctor graduate and multi-talented songwriter, performer and composer, Johnny grew up discovering his passion for music and performance in the city he calls home. Now he’s back, guiding the next generation as piano accompanist and assistant music director for The Little Mermaid.

Over months of rehearsals, Johnny has been orchestrating harmonies and sharing the lessons that helped shape him as an artist. In less than a week, the curtains will rise. For Johnny, this isn’t just a musical; it’s a celebration of home and giving back to the community that nurtured him.

Johnny’s love of performing began early, back when he was a student at Hughes Elementary School. From filming YouTube videos with his sister to joining musicals at Donovan Middle School, he knew he wanted to be on stage. But at Proctor, his focus shifted from acting to music. “I used to hang out in the choir room all the time and play songs for everybody,” he remembers. “Mrs. Patricia Scaramella noticed my piano skills and encouraged me to accompany the choir. That’s when I realized the pull toward the musical aspect of theatre and not just acting.”

After graduation, Johnny pursued his passion further, earning a liberal arts degree from Mohawk Valley Community College before studying studio composition at SUNY Purchase. There, he began writing original songs and collaborating on musicals, including Crystal Clear, a full-length original show he co-composed with a college friend, Calista. “We were still writing the songs the week before auditions,” he recalls with a laugh. “It was chaotic, but it taught me so much about collaboration and taking risks.” Just two weeks before the show, several cast members came down with Covid-19 and rehearsals were still happening with masked classmates in a hybrid environment. “I didn’t have individual parts ready for everyone, so I just gave the piano score and told them to improvise,” he says. “We ended up with guitar, bass, drums, you name it. It went really well, and the performance is even on YouTube.” He considers it one of his proudest projects.

Now back at Proctor, Johnny is helping students experience those same lessons firsthand. He teaches harmonies and supports the cast in building confidence on stage. Being on the other side of a production has given him a fresh perspective. “It’s different in a really good way,” he says. “There’s a lot more responsibility and leadership, but while part of me will always love performing, I also really enjoy being an educator. Teaching and coaching students is rewarding, and it’s great to help others pursue something you’re passionate about.”

Johnny credits Proctor’s supportive teachers and creative environment for giving him a platform to experiment and grow. “Proctor has some of the best educators in the area, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” he says. He specifically points to former choir teacher Mrs. Scaramella and English teacher and drama director Lacey Stevens as mentors who shaped his path. “Now I get to work with Ms. Stevens again, but on the other side of things.”

When asked what he hopes students take away from working with him, Johnny emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey. “You want to take your craft seriously, but you also have to enjoy the experience,” he says. “Rehearsing for a show is about working toward those big moments during the performances. But what really lasts is everything that happens along the way: the rehearsals, the friendships you build and the skills you learn.” He also encourages students to say yes to opportunities and to know when to say no to avoid burnout. “Don’t wait for permission to create... Take initiative and go after it,” he advises.

Johnny applies that same advice to his own work today as he continues building his career as a songwriter and performer. “My work right now is still in a transition phase. I’m building experiences here in my hometown, but I also feel that pull to go elsewhere, maybe somewhere like New York City. I can definitely see myself pursuing a multi-hyphenated career: singer, songwriter, composer, music director, pianist, kind of combining all of it.”

Living away from Utica and collaborating with other creatives has helped him grow personally and artistically. That independence shows in his songwriting and leadership, even as he navigates moments of imposter syndrome. In addition to The Little Mermaid, Johnny is working as the Pianist for Hadestown: Teen Edition at Waterville Jr/Sr High School, which opened and concluded earlier this month.

Johnny reflects on how growing up in Utica shaped not only who he is but the artist he has become. “Utica is small enough to feel close-knit, but big enough to get lost a little,” he says. “It’s really taught me to value family and to romanticize home. You form close relationships with people and that sense of community has stayed with me. It influences the way I approach everything, even my songwriting.” For Johnny, his hometown isn’t just where he started, it’s the foundation that continues to guide his artistic journey.