Iona Singers Set to Perform for Global Audience at Walt Disney World
Isabella Ruggiero, Class of 2026
For Isabella Ruggiero ’26, finding her fit at Iona University meant creating a space where her passions did not have to compete — they could coexist.
A graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music and Art, and a speech pathology major with a lifelong love of music, Ruggiero knew she wanted to build a career in helping others. She also knew she was not going to let her passion for singing take a back seat.
“There was no way that I was just going to stop singing,” Ruggiero said. “That is definitely why I chose Iona, so that I could do both. And it ended up being such a blessing.”
That decision has shaped her entire college experience; this month, it will take her and nearly 20 fellow students to Walt Disney World.
As president of the Iona Singers and a founding member of the NightinGaels — the University’s a cappella group — Ruggiero has helped lead the ensemble to new heights. From February 19–22, the group will travel to Orlando, Florida, where they will participate in an exclusive Disney recording studio workshop, ending with a performance at Disney Springs for guests from around the world.
The NightinGaels deepen their vocal training through more advanced harmonies, contemporary repertoire, and unique performance opportunities.
“I'm very excited,” Ruggiero said. “I grew up going to Disney with my family, so it is a big win that I get to take the group. I think the energy in the group has stayed extremely high ever since we announced that we are taking this trip.”
Inside a backstage Disney recording studio, students will gain hands-on experience in voice acting and singing while learning how sound and music are recorded for animated films — an immersive look at the intersection of performance, storytelling and technology. They will also take the stage at Disney Springs for a concert featuring NightinGaels favorites alongside beloved Disney classics.
“We have been having Disney-specific rehearsals, and everyone is really excited about it,” Ruggiero said. “When a section gets tough and we have to rehearse it repeatedly, I remind my peers that we are all going to be in Florida together. These are the friends you have made in the group, and now you get to enjoy a weekend with them and show off a little bit.”
"Iona performing arts has proven to be such an accepting place. It is a great place to build community."
Determined to ensure that all members had the opportunity to travel, the group has been hard at work in fundraising as a community.
“I do not think the Singers, at least in my time, have ever taken on something of this scale,” Ruggiero said. “This group has really been showing that we want it. We have been fundraising so enthusiastically and have been working hard to make sure this trip is everything we want it to be.”
For Ruggiero, the group’s dedicated efforts to ensure a successful and memorable trip speak to the character of both the singers and Iona performing arts as a collective.
“I think Iona performing arts has proven to be such an accepting place, and it shows in the Singers,” Ruggiero said. “It has proven to be an onstage and offstage type of group. Whenever there is something rough going on, we show up for each other — outside the concert hall too. It is a great place to build community.”
About The Iona Singers
The Iona Singers organize and participate in several musical productions on campus and off each year. Their concerts include solos and group performances, and are conducted and accompanied by a professional director. You will hear them at many major campus events, such as Homecoming, Commencement, Maroon Madness and more, including performing at the historic Radio City Music Hall.
About The NightinGaels
The Iona University NightinGaels, part of the esteemed Iona Singers ensemble, are a captivating a cappella group known for their dynamic performances and diverse repertoire. Comprised of talented singers from various backgrounds, they blend harmonies seamlessly, delivering spellbinding renditions across genres. With rigorous rehearsals and a commitment to excellence, they inspire audiences on campus and beyond, fostering a sense of community through their music.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.