A few days ago, a woman reached out to me on social media with a message that left me both flattered and introspective. She wrote, “I love reading your posts and was wondering if you could teach a course on how to be like Antonella.” At first, her comment caught me off guard. How do you even begin to teach someone how to be you? I smiled at the idea, but the more I thought about it, the more it made me reflect on my journey of becoming the person I am today.
What does it mean to ‘be like Antonella’?
The truth is, becoming Antonella has been a long road—a blend of passions, many mistakes, traumatic experiences, horrible situations, discoveries, and a strong sense of self-evolution. My path hasn’t been linear, nor has it always been easy. Yet, through it all, I’ve learned one essential truth: the only way to truly become yourself is to embrace the person you are in this moment and allow that person to unfold naturally, without comparison or external pressure.
So, what does that look like in practice? How does one “become Antonella”? While I’m not sure I can offer a step-by-step guide, I can share a few lessons I’ve learned along the way—lessons that I hope inspire others to embrace their unique journey, too.
“Becoming yourself is a lifelong process. It’s not about following someone else’s path, but about embracing your own.”
1. Embrace Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
One of the cornerstones of who I am is my deep, never-ending curiosity. From a young age, I was always fascinated by knowledge—reading, exploring, asking questions. That passion for learning never left me. It’s what pushed me to pursue a PhD in Music Theory and Historical Musicology, and it’s what drives me to constantly challenge myself, whether through performance, teaching, or research. For me, learning is a way of life, not just a means to an end. The world is full of things we don’t know, and every day offers a new opportunity to uncover something we didn’t understand before. Becoming Antonella has been, in large part, about embracing that endless curiosity. So, if you want to “be like Antonella,” my advice is: stay curious. Keep asking questions, keep exploring, and never stop learning.2. Be Authentic, Even When It’s Hard
In a world where we are constantly bombarded by images of what we “should” be, remaining authentic. I have spent years cultivating my sense of self—learning to embrace my quirks, my strengths, and even my vulnerabilities. When I was younger, I often tried to mold myself to fit into the expectations of others. But over time, I realized that the only path to true fulfillment was through embracing who I really am. This authenticity isn’t just about being comfortable with yourself; it’s about showing up fully in every aspect of life. Whether I’m performing, writing, or working with students, I strive to bring my full, unfiltered self into the room, with all my imperfections and without embarrassments. That’s how I connect with people, how I create meaningful work, and how I find joy in what I do. I make mistakes too. And that is what makes us relatable to other humans.3. Find Your Passion and Pursue It Relentlessly
One of the things this woman may have noticed in my posts is my passion for music and education. Music has always been the heartbeat of my life, and I have pursued it with relentless dedication. But it hasn’t always been easy. There have been challenges, setbacks, and moments where I’ve questioned whether I was on the right path. Yet through it all, my passion for music and education has been my guiding light. Becoming Antonella has been about following that passion—even when it wasn’t the most practical choice, even when it felt uncertain. So, if there’s one piece of advice I can give about becoming your best self, it’s this: find your passion and pursue it relentlessly. It doesn’t have to be music. Whatever lights you up inside, whatever makes you feel alive—that’s what you should follow. Trust that, in the long run, passion will guide you to where you need to be.4. Evolve Constantly, But Stay Grounded
While it may sound contradictory, becoming who you are requires both evolution and staying true to your roots. I have evolved significantly over the years, and I continue to do so. I’m constantly refining my craft, my mindset, and my goals. But at the same time, I stay grounded in the values and principles that have shaped me since the beginning—integrity, honesty, and the desire to create meaningful impact. This balance between growth and staying true to yourself is crucial. I’m always open to learning new things, adapting to new circumstances, and evolving as both a professional and a person. But I never lose sight of the core beliefs that define me. If you’re on your journey to becoming your authentic self, remember: it’s okay to grow, but don’t lose sight of what truly matters to you.5. Create Your Own Path
One of the reasons why the woman’s comment struck me was because it reminded me how important it is to carve out your own path. I have never been someone who fits neatly into boxes. I’ve never followed a pre-determined route or waited for someone else to validate my decisions. I created MusicaIQ to challenge conventional thinking in the music world, and I built Woom Talent Center because I wanted to foster creativity and talent in a way that felt right to me. In short, I chose to create my own path, instead of waiting for others to hand me one. And that has made all the difference. So, if you want to “be like Antonella,” remember: your journey is yours to create. Don’t be afraid to take risks, try new things, and pave your own way.Becoming Yourself
Ultimately, this isn’t about becoming Antonella. It’s about becoming you. Each of us has a unique path to follow, and the journey to authenticity is ongoing. I’m still learning, evolving, and growing. But if my journey inspires others to embrace their own path, then I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile. So, while I may not be teaching a course on how to “be like Antonella,” I encourage anyone who reads this to take these principles to heart: stay curious, be authentic, pursue your passion, embrace evolution, and above all, create your own path. That’s how we each become the best version of ourselves.“Becoming yourself is a lifelong process. It’s not about following someone else’s path, but about embracing your own.”
