A well-known and respected Northside businesswoman recently realized a dream she kept to herself for most of her adult life.
Angela Iannetti is the owner and operator of Hair Masters Salon and Career College in North Sydney. She has been working both as a cosmetologist and instructor for 36 years. She also operates a restaurant and catering service from the Emera Centre Northside.
COVID-19 led to the temporary closure of the restaurant and the career college has remained closed since the pandemic hit last year.
Iannetti said for the first time in almost 40 years she was left with more downtime than she knew what to do with.
“When COVID started I was faced with not being consumed by work. I decided to make use of my downtime by concentrating my efforts on fulfilling my lifelong silent dream of singing.
“I like to sing but honestly, I never really did it in any organized way before. I love to sing with fellow choir members at St. Joseph’s Church in North Sydney and of course, I do sing in the shower.”
In 2019, Iannetti was asked to sing a song titled "Bonfires" for a commemorative celebration of the anniversary of the First World War. The song was released in 2018 and was written by Todd Ingram of DS Music Productions.
“I was surprised to receive the invitation to sing because it was such an honour and I wasn’t performing professionally. The performance sparked an interest in me wanting to work even more on my music.”
One thing led to another and before she knew it she was getting ready to record “Bonfires” at her nephew Chris Iannetti’s studio — Iannetti Recording in Halifax. Additional music was included and the single turned into an album.
“In early September 2020, I completed 'Full Circle,' which consists of eight songs, five of which are original. It was a great experience, I worked with some of the best musicians in the province.”
"I love to sing with fellow choir members at St. Joseph’s Church in North Sydney and of course, I do sing in the shower.” — Angela Iannetti
On Sept. 19, Iannetti celebrated her 60th birthday with a CD release that included family and friends at the Northern Yacht Club.
“We performed ‘Full Circle’ live. Needless to say, I was terrified, excited and overwhelmed with tears of joy from the support of family and friends, who made my dream a reality.”
The interest in Iannetti’s first album laid the groundwork for a second album and just before Christmas she released a holiday compilation.
“As if doing my first album wasn’t fulfilling enough, I decided to go ahead and do a Christmas album. It all happened really fast. In mid-November, I phoned my nephew Chris in Halifax and suggested we do it. He said sure and that we could start in July 2021, I laughed, replying, ‘no, we need to do it now.’ He said it was impossible and thought I was crazy for even considering being able to do it so quickly.”
Much to the delight of her fans and thanks to her tenacity, “A Cape Breton Christmas” hit the shelves in mid-December 2020.
Iannetti has long been a poet and she said going forward she would like to record some of her poems as well.
“I would like to record the poetry I have written for the benefit of people who would enjoy sitting and listening to it. It would be my hope that the poems could help bring back memories of growing up in Cape Breton.”
In the meantime, a book of poetry is included with the purchase of both “A Cape Breton Christmas” and “Full Circle.”
In early February, additional copies of “Full Circle” will be available for purchase at venues all over the island including the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop in Sydney, Mr. Fi’s Frames in North Sydney, Farmer’s Daughter in Whycocomagh and Hairmaster Salon and Career College on Archibald Avenue. For a full list of available locations or to order “Full Circle” contact [email protected]. Orders will be shipped upon request.
In advance of the sale of the CD, fans can tune in and hear Iannetti perform on iTunes, Amazon or YouTube. She is also receiving airplay on a number of local radio stations.
When asked what her plans are going forward, Iannetti said it goes without saying that album number three is in the mix.
“I am thinking Gospel,” she said.
Sherry Mulley MacDonald is an author and freelance journalist. She is a lifelong resident of the Northside with an affection for the community in which she lives.
