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
back to a special moment in her life.
“The last time I went to Tel Hai, ‘My Way’ was a song her and her husband danced to at her wedding,” he said.
Romano, who is a triplet and the only singer among his siblings, said when he arrives at retirement homes to perform his one-hour sets for the first time, expectations are typically low.
“At first they see a kid, and by the end they are clapping and on their feet,” he said.
Romano’s favorite songs to perform are “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
“Not that many people are into that kind of music,” he said. “Getting to keep that type of stuff alive and doing it for an audience that appreciates it, that is what I really like about performing.”
To get into character when singing, Romano drinks water out of a martini glass.
“We go all out in the theming department,” he said.
Romano’s father, Michael, accompanies him to his shows.
“My dad tags along with me and he serves as the sound check,” Vincent said.
Michael has an ulterior motive to help his son, aside from being in charge of the sound quality of the shows.
“It lets me spend more time with him when he’s home for the summer,” Michael said.
He also enjoys talking to the residents at the facilities.
“They come up after and say what a good job he did,” Michael said. “It makes you proud about that, and he’s making the old people feel good.”
One of the more memorable performances for Michael took place at Camilla
Hall Convent Home & Healthcare Center in Malvern, Chester County.
“Some of the nuns were dancing and they were
having fun and really enjoying it,” he said. “They pre-booked him for a New Years’ party.”