Gabriella Cariddo (b. 2004) is a composer, pianist, and harpsichordist from New York City with a passion for music education. A graduate of Special Music School High School and Manhattan School of Music Precollege, Gabriella grew up competing in major piano competitions and performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall. Additionally, her choral compositions and historically informed chamber works have been widely performed around the world. Gabriella attended Eastman School of Music where she studied harpsichord, music theory, and compositon. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Music and Medieval Studies at Fordham University. Gabriella teaches piano, composition, and music theory in the Upper East Side area of Manhattan. She specializes in early childhood music education and aspires to continue developing her teaching studio and skills as an educator.
Biography
Gabriella Cariddo (b. 2004) is a pianist, composer, harpsichordist, and music educator born in southern New Jersey currently based out of Manhattan. She developed an early passion for classical music after encountering it online as a child and soon began teaching herself piano, practicing for hours each day and rapidly surpassing the level of local instruction available to her. Homeschooled by her parents so she could dedicate her time to practicing, Gabriella was soon brought to New York City for advanced training. At age twelve, she was accepted into Mannes Prep, where she studied piano with Gena Raps. Shortly thereafter, she made her Carnegie Hall debut after winning the Golden Key International Piano Competition.
In 2019, Gabriella was accepted into the Special Music School, an academically rigorous institution integrating classical music into its core curriculum. During this time, she developed a deep interest in composition, quickly establishing herself as a young composer of distinction. Her piano work Étude Appassionata was invited to be performed at the World Composers’ Concert in Vienna.
In 2021, she was selected to participate in the Luna Composition Lab, a program for emerging female composers led bIn 2019, Gabriella was accepted into the Special Music School, an academically rigorous institution integrating classical music into its core curriculum. During this time, she developed a deep interest in composition, quickly establishing herself as a young composer of distinction. Her piano work Étude Appassionata was invited to be performed at the World Composers’ Concert in Vienna.y Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid. Through this program, Gabriella’s music was performed by ensembles including Face the Music and the International Contemporary Ensemble. She has since received paid commissions from ensembles worldwide, particularly choral groups; her work Love Bade Me Go was performed by the acclaimed British ensemble VOCES8.
Alongside composition, Gabriella has cultivated a strong scholarly interest in musicology, early music, and historically informed performance. In 2021, she began harpsichord studies with Jocelyn Stewart at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, where she was an honors student. She also studied historical improvisation with Tobias Cramm and Nicola Canzano. These studies strongly inform her compositional voice, which frequently draws on medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque idioms.
In 2023, Gabriella was accepted into several prestigious conservatories, including the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. She chose to attend the Eastman School of Music, where she studied Music Theory and Composition with a performance focus in harpsichord under Eduardo Bellotti, William Porter, and William Marvin. With a growing academic interest in medieval history, sacred music, and pedagogy, Gabriella later transferred to Fordham University to pursue musicology and music education more fully.
Today, she finds her greatest fulfillment in teaching and mentoring students, particularly young pianists at the early and intermediate levels. Her teaching emphasizes strong technical foundations, musical literacy, historical awareness, and a genuine love of classical music. Drawing on her background as a performer, composer, and theorist, Gabriella is deeply committed to nurturing thoughtful, confident, and musically curious students. Her long-term goal is to continue expanding her private studio while pursuing composition and scholarship, ultimately teaching music full-time.
Gabriella Cariddo 