Elevate your special event With
Our Story
We are Ascension Melodies
We have been playing together as members of our church choir for more than 15 years.
Both of our families grew together within the church, but we all played as part of our choir. It was a family affair! Being able to share the passion of music with our children and as a church family is a true blessing. We have participated in everything from Saturday and Sunday Mass, Adoration music, and full choral/ instrumental productions for the Easter or Christmas seasons.
Now that all our children have grown up, we came together wanting to spread more of our passion of music to our community. We created Ascension Melodies, and we have a variety of pieces to share. We hope to elevate your next special event!
Meet the Musicians
Lisa Villa, flutist
I fell in love with the flute at a young age and started playing when I was just 10.
Growing up in Peoria AZ, through middle school and high school I played in a variety of bands, orchestras and a flute choir. It was my junior year of high school when I decided to audition for the Marine Band and received an acceptance letter to be a part of the United States Marine Corps Band. That next summer I was off to boot camp.
I was a member of the field bands, this is different from the President’s own in DC, this meant I not only performed but still had to maintain all my military training as a Marine. I played for 5 years with the Marine band traveling the world! From the Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada to the Far East and then up and down the sunny coast of California. I was stationed in Okinawa Japan during the 50 th Anniversary of WWII, where we had the privilege of performing at all the commemoration ceremonies on the islands. Sitting on the beaches with the service men telling their stories of how they came onto that very beach 50 years ago was an experience I will never forget! Over my years with the Marine Band we played a variety of ceremonies, parades and concerts. It was something different every day.
After my time with the Marine Band, I was blessed to spend multiple years being a stay-at-home mom traveling with my husband, who was also in the Marine Band. Music has always been an important part of my family. Over these years, I played in community bands, gave lessons, and of course always played in the church choir wherever we were stationed. As a member of the Band of America’s Few I was even offered the opportunity to go back to the Nova Scotia International Tattoo almost 20 years after my first performance there. But I was primarily a mom to our 4 children and helped encourage them to find the love of music!
With all my children married now, my role as a mother has changed and it was time for me to get back to my passion, music. I’m thrilled to be performing again and sharing my passion with each of you!
Rebecca Antonio, violinist
I began my journey with music at the age of 8 learning the piano. This motivated me to join the 5th-grade Strings program, where I had the most wonderful teacher. He played the violin, viola, and keyboard, and under his guidance, my passion thrived. My love for the violin grew even more, especially when my music teacher created the Norfolk Public School Strolling Silver Strings. I was fortunate to be part of the first group of musicians, and 38+ years later, they are still going strong. I enjoyed performing with them throughout high school and in college(as an alumni).
During my time at Old Dominion University (ODU), while majoring in Business Administration, I found fulfillment playing with the ODU Symphony. Meanwhile, I also played for St. Pius X, and Santo Nino Novena masses during the Advent/Christmas season.
After graduating and finding a job in finance, I formed a quartet, Bella C’Anto Ensemble, with my husband; who is a percussionist, along with the Antolins; who played guitar and flute. For over 10+ years, we played all over Hampton Roads, from the Botanical Gardens to Portsmouth Renaissance, all while growing our families. Shortly after, I left my finance job to raise my three children and joined the Church of the Ascension where I currently play the violin with my family. I was thrilled when Lisa's family joined our choir.
Later, I joined the Virginia Beach Chamber Orchestra. Here, I played for an amazing three years meeting new friends and running into my former 5th grade music teacher.
My dream, to have a string quartet with my children, motivated me to teach them to play stringed instruments. My dream was fulfilled. After years of being involved with their school’s music programs, I am now enjoying being part of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Education Committee.
All my children have grown with the love for music, majoring and graduating with musical degrees and still performing or majoring with love for art and design. It was now time to once again return to my roots as a musician, which led me to create Ascension Melodies and the love of performing with Lisa Villa.
Contact
Let us elevate your special event!
We cannot wait to hear from you and how we can bring elegance to your event or venue.
Ascension Melodies 757
Phone: (757)839-1244 Email: ascensionmelodies757@gmail.com
