TEEN CROONER BRINGS JOY TO SENIORS

When Vincent Romano was growing up, there was always music by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley playing when he would visit his grandfather in Havertown, Delaware County.

Little did he know, these legendary crooners would stick with him and form the basis of his musical preferences as a college student.

Drawn to music and singing, Romano, 19, sang in the choir when he was in elementary school and performed in a musical theater show.

“I also sang in middle and high school choir and I sang the National Anthem to open up a Little League game,” he said.

During high school, he was required to do a project that centered on volunteerism.

“My dad thought it would be a good idea for me to sing at retirement homes,” he said.

So he tracked down a suit, tie and fedora to complete his look and started volunteering his time to perform in front of senior residents.

“I get to sing my type of music, like Sinatra, Dean Martin and Michael Bublé, and I like performing in front of people a lot,” Romano said. “When I get to sing ‘New York, New York’ and ‘My Way,’ I get to express myself.”

A sophomore at East Stroudsburg University, Romano still performs at retirement homes during the summer and spring break when he’s off from school.

“I’m up to 40 retirement homes,” he said, adding that he has performed at some of them five times. “A lot of the retirement homes end up having me back, and now I’m making a little money off of it.”

Romano, who lives in Exton, Chester County, is willing to travel a bit to perform. He has performed at Southhampton Estates in Bucks County, Country Meadows of Wyomissing in Berks County and Tel Hai in Honey Brook, Chester County.

Romano enjoys seeing the direct impact he makes on his audiences, including a resident he recalled who was able to go

COURTESY OF MICHAEL ROMANO Vincent Romano performs shows at retirement communities during his time off from college.

COURTESY OF MICHAEL ROMANO Vincent Romano has performed at over 40retirement homes.