Since joining Zumix as a young girl, Angelina Botticelli has grown to become an accomplished musician. The lifelong Eastie resident and Boston Arts Academy (BAA) High School senior has written original music, started a band, released an album, helped co-write an original piece for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and hosts a weekly radio show for Zumix radio.
Last week, life came full circle for Botticelli as her postgraduate dream has come true.
Botticelli will be attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a full tuition scholarship in the fall. Botticelli is the only student to receive a full ride to Berklee from BAA.
“Angelina has been singing and playing music since she could walk,” said Zumix Founder and Director Madeleine Steczynski. “As a soloist, ensemble member, and lead singer of the band Wild Painting, she writes and performs music that moves people and penetrates the soul. In addition to music, Angelina hosts a weekly radio show on 94.9 ZUMIX Radio, is actively involved in social justice efforts, and is always eager to give back to her community. We are so happy she received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and can’t wait to see what she produces next.”
For a senior from Eastie– or as she calls it “Boston’s Best Neighborhood” – her hard-work, dedication and passion for music paid off. She’ll be graduating from BAA – the City’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts on Monday, June 10 – well-prepared and ready for her next venture.
Botticelli’s acceptance to the preeminent institute of contemporary music and performing arts has been a long time coming. She has participated in the Berklee College of Music’s City Music Program since she was in the fourth grade. Her involvement in Berklee from such a young age has allowed her to showcase her talent through participation in master classes, countless performances in Berklee’s performance halls and more. Additionally, she is currently dual enrolled at Berklee through the ProArts Consortium, which allows BAA students to study at Berklee and other institutions while receiving college credit.
As a music technology student at BAA, Botticelli has been fully immersed in hand-on music industry experience, from songwriting to producing, and is currently working on releasing music this summer under the name Lil Lina. She is also a member of BAA’s Spirituals Ensemble, which recently competed on WGBH’s ‘Sing That Thing’.
Outside of BAA and Berklee City Music, Botticelli has been an active member of Zumix where she hosts her own weekly radio show called Bad Gal radio.
“I was so excited to hear about Angelina getting into Berklee,” said Zumix Board President Steve Snyder. “She’s so talented and even more importantly, such a nice young woman. As a Board Member we don’t always get to know the Zumix kids on a personal level as we are too busy trying to raise funds and awareness to support Zumix’s mission. But I’ve been lucky to see Angelina perform quite a lot and I’m a huge fan of her band Wild Painting. The reality is Zumix has been helping countless kids like Angelina on a pathway to becoming happy, successful adults for over 27 years. Many don’t realize just how impactful they are on our city because they go about their mission so humbly. Angelina’s future is bright and I applaud her as well as all of the Zumix staff for the great work they do in our community in youth development.”