Get to know Alyssa R…

Favorite Movie:

Pitch Perfect

Favourite Musician/Band:

Ariana Grande

Favourite Local Restaurant:

Lone Star Texas Grill

Favourite Article of Clothing:

Leggings

Favourite Phone App:

Instagram

Favourite TV Show:

Dance Moms

Favourite Charity:

ALS Society of Canada

Favourite Junk Food Weakness: :

Nutella

Who is your celebrity crush?

Channing Tatum

Do you have a pet?

Yes! I have a little Westie named Bianca Neve. Her name means “Snow White” in Italian.

What is your dream job?

A star on Broadway

What is your biggest fear?

Mice

Who is the most inspirational person in your life?

The most inspirational person in my life is my grandfather, Nonno Pierino. He was my biggest fan and now my guardian angel. As a young man, Nonno left his village in Italy with hopes and dreams of starting a new life and prospering in Canada. He taught my family the enriching values of being Italo-Canadians. In February 2000, Nonno Pierino was diagnosed with ALS. He passed away in March that very same year. He fought this terrible disease with courage and dignity. My family has raised over $110,000 for the ALS Society of Canada. We are spokespersons for this charity and have also written the theme song “I Celebrate All That You Are”. My Nonno Pierino will forever inspire me.

What is one thing you’d like to check off your bucket list?

I would love to be in Times Square in New York City during New Year’s Eve!

What is your dream vacation destination?

My dream vacation destination is Italy. I’ve never been before and I would love to visit all of my relatives and where my grandparents grew up!

What is one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a local entertainer, vocalist and irish/jazz/tap dancer. I have also performed and competed as a vocalist and dancer in Montreal, Toronto, Disney World, Nashville and New York City. I was invited to sing the national anthems at an Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils hockey game. I am honoured to sing our national anthem at various events and grand openings in Ottawa.

Do you have any nicknames?

My mom calls me “pupuccia”. It’s a term of endearment in Italian, meaning “baby doll.”

Name one person dead or alive you would want to have a dinner party with and why?

I would love to have a dinner party with Leighton Meester. Her character on Gossip Girl is classy, organized and always knows how to plan a dinner or a ball!

Finish this statement: I am most proud of…

I am most proud of winning a $12,000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa. French immersion students across Canada were asked to submit a video on how French immersion changed their life. I am honoured that my video was chosen as the first place winner. I am in the Honours BA with a specialization in Second Language Teaching-French Immersion Program. I wish to continue my studies in Ottawa as I hope to one day become a French Immersion teacher.

What is your dance/cheer background and experience?

I started Irish dancing with the Sue Fay Healy School of Traditional Irish Dance when I was 5 years old. I was at the national championship level when I decided to focus more on musical theatre. I then performed in 4 productions with the Orpheus Musical Theatre Society. Throughout my years of singing and dancing with The PopShop, I took on the role of Dance Captain. I started a cheer and dance team when I was in high school and to this day, they are still competing. I was part of the Ottawa 67’s Cheer and Dance Team from 2013-2015. I was selected to be the captain of the Ottawa 67’s Cheer and Dance Team for the 2014-2015 season. I was then the Assistant Coach of the 67’s Cheer Team for the 2015-2016 season. I am now the Head Coach of the 67’s Ice Girls with my REDBLACKS Cheer teammate, Cailin. I was a dancer on the Ottawa Redblacks Cheer and Dance Team for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Why did you audition for the REDBLACKS Cheerleading & Dance Team?

I auditioned to be an Ottawa Redblacks Cheer and Dance Team member again because I love being an ambassador for Spring: Cheer, Dance & Tumbling and such an important sports organization in the nation’s capital, the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. The last two seasons were life changing experiences for me and I will never forget the amazing opportunities and moments I had with my teammates, my hardworking coaches and Ottawa’s CFL football team’s fans. Aside from cheering and performing during the Redblacks games, I love participating in community events in the region. Community appearances and performances mean everything to me.

What advice would you give someone who dreams of becoming a cheerleader?

Always follow your dreams and never give up! I love seeing the look on little girls’ faces when they are taking pictures with us or when we are talking to them. It reminds me of when I was younger and looked up to the cheerleaders at the Ottawa Renegades games. When I was 8 and 9 years old, I participated in the Ottawa Renegades “Little Miss Renegades” program. I got the chance to practice and perform with the Ottawa Renegades Cheerleaders during a halftime show. I looked up to the cheerleaders and wanted to dance just like they were dancing. Ever since that moment, I knew I wanted to cheer for Ottawa’s CFL football team when I was old enough.

If you could say one thing to #RNation, what would you say?

I love interacting with the Redblacks fans! They are so encouraging and energetic! When I am on the sidelines, I feed off their energy to cheer on the team and perform for the crowd. Grey Cup 2017 here we come! #RNation…#RFamily!