‘Music expresses what is in your heart’

Cory Bollettino of Mt. Prospect

Singer

Special Talents America finalist Cory Bollettino is returning to the stage and planning to sing “Cuando Me Enamoro.”

Two years ago, with his rendition of “Morning Has Broken,” made popular by Cat Stevens, Bollettino was one of the performers at the statewide SRA’s Got Talent competition, the precursor to this year’s four-state contest.

Visually impaired since birth and totally blind since he was 9, Bollettino, now 22, has loved music since he was a toddler, tapping on the patio door and kitchen cabinets, keeping the beat as he sang his favorite songs.

By the time he was 7, teachers had noted his beautiful voice and asked him to sing Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye” during a Mother’s Day performance at the Northwest Special Recreation Association. He received a standing ovation.

Over the years, by recording music and radio programs and by listening to the recordings repeatedly, he has taught himself lyrics, musical scores, the keyboard and Italian.

Already bilingual, Bollettino now performs a repertoire of songs in English, Spanish and Italian. He also has developed an interest in playing the harp.

“Music is peaceful, tranquil, such a beautiful thing to hear,” he says. “If we had no music, we would have no soul. Music expresses what is in your heart.”