Ava Della Pietra reclaims her power on the anthemic new ballad it started with u — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
With this gripping track, the up-and-coming singer-songwriter reflects on the pain of a lost relationship, and the power each of us has to shape our own narrative, even when we’ve been hurt. “I wrote it started with u after being shut out by someone I thought was my best friend,” Ava comments. “It’s about recognizing the huge impact this person had on my life, while also realizing that I have the power to take that negativity and turn it around, so I can come out of the experience stronger than ever.”
Expertly produced by Will Hicks (Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé), it’s the latest in a series of new releases from Ava centered around the theme of “you,” following February’s sleek, electro-pop single happy for you, which reached No. 31 on the Hot AC Radio Charts. Another recent single, power of you, reached No. 21 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart, while her song Optimist was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting award by The Great American Song Contest.
Della Pietra is a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, guitar, bass, violin, and ukulele, and is known to draw inspiration from her surroundings. “Songs tend to come to me when I am outside taking a walk or enjoying nature,” Ava shares. “I will sing a verse and a chorus into my phone, and then when I get back inside, I write it all down and put chords to it on either the ukulele, piano, or guitar.”
She has written over 130 songs, 32 while quarantining with her family on Long Island. “Music is my journal, a true snapshot of my life, and a powerful way for me to convey my thoughts and ideas,” Ava shares. “I hope my songs help others discover more about themselves and their emotions, just as they have helped me.”
Ava’s new single comes on the heels of her acceptance into the prestigious Harvard University / Berklee College of Music dual degree program. Designed for exceptional musicians interested in a diverse range of artistic careers as well as an elite liberal arts education, the dual degree will allow Ava to complete a liberal arts curriculum while pursuing an advanced degree in music, as well as her music career.
Ava has managed to maintain an exceptional academic track record while balancing her careers as a Broadway actress and pop songwriter. She is valedictorian of her high school class this year, has take part in several New York State School Music Association competitions, and was named the student songwriter showcase winner for her songs Moon and Optimist.
Outside of the classroom, Ava has been involved in community service projects. She is the founder of the Organic Vegetable Gardening Club, donating fresh, healthy vegetables to local food pantries. In addition, she has donated proceeds from her music to nonprofits like KIND and the Safe Passage Project. This past summer, Ava held an internship at Weill Cornell in NYC and at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she shadowed physicians and received the Leadership Award for Outstanding Service.
Check out it started with u above, hear more from Ava Della Peitra below, and keep up with her on her website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
