Signorina Talks

In episode 11, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Trevor Strolla, Principal of the first Italian bilingual school in Victoria, Brunswick South Primary School. Trevor has been Principal of the school since 2015 and has had experience as a teacher and school leader across many settings in education. He speaks on the history of the school, its transition to becoming bilingual and how it operates in an everyday context. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Trevor Strolla (Brunswick South Primary School)

In episode 10, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Dr Mark Nicholls on Italian cinema. Mark is a senior lecturer in film studies at the University of Melbourne where he has taught since 1993. He has worked as a film journalist for leading publications and has a list of over twenty stage credits as a playwright, performer, producer and director. Mark speaks on iconic Italian films, directors, performers and cinematography as well as how it has all evolved over time. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Dr Mark Nicholls (University of Melbourne)

In episode 9, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Olympia Nelson on Byzantine art. Olympia is a research assistant at Hong Kong Baptist University, Masters of Philosophy student at the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne alumnae and former intern at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. Olympia speaks on her internship, the history of Byzantine art and shares her insights into daily life in Venice. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Olympia Nelson (University of Sydney, University of Melbourne and Peggy Guggenheim Collection)

In episode 8, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Matt Absalom, lecturer in Italian studies at the University of Melbourne. Matt speaks on Italian communities in regional Victoria and how they sparked his passion for Italian culture and language at an early age. He also talks about evidence-based teaching in tertiary studies, as well as the use of theatre plays in language learning. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Matt Absalom (University of Melbourne)

In episode 7, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa interviews Dr Paola Balla, a Wemba-Wemba and Gunditjmara woman of Italian and Chinese heritage. An award winning artist, curator, speaker, educator and writer, she speaks on her artwork, its meaning, and experiences growing up as an Aboriginal, Italian and Chinese woman. Paola also shares her thoughts on NAIDOC 2021 and its theme, 'Heal Country!' Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Dr Paola Balla (Victoria University)

In episode 6, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Professor John Hajek from the University of Melbourne. John is a leading academic, linguist and trained dialectologist who has authored several books and published a wide range of publications. John speaks on the history of the Italian language, Italian unification, food history, L'Accademia della Crusca and much more. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Professor John Hajek (University of Melbourne)

In episode 5, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Marina Bartolameazzi and Maria Liuzzi-Scalpelli from Lingopont, a recently launched publishing company that is revolutionising the way languages are taught and studied. It links an app, sitcom series, textbooks, schools and cultural experiences to allow students to be part of a global community and study languages at their own pace wherever in the world they are. Lingopont recently launched Tutto Bene, its new Italian course, and will soon develop courses for other languages. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Marina Bartolameazzi and Maria Liuzzi-Scalpelli (Lingopont)

In episode 4, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Alexander Parise, Assistant Manager of Co-As-It in Carlton. Alex has lived and worked in Italy, Israel and the United States of America, and has experience in education, archaeology and academia. Alex talks about the study of Italian in Melbourne, in schools and in adult education. He shares his perspective on dialects and also speaks on his work with the Italian Historical Society. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Alexander Parise (Co-As-It)

In episode 3, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to longtime friend and architectural genius, Isabella (Bella) Etna. Bella is a Graduate of Architecture at Buchan Group, Tutor at the University of Melbourne, former President of Built Industry Group and Founder/Co-Editor of Archigram Melbourne. Bella talks about Venetian architecture, shares her study experiences in Venice itself as well as her fieldwork at La Biennale di Venezia. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Isabella Etna (Buchan Group, University of Melbourne and Archigram Melbourne)

In episode 2, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to longtime friend and architectural wiz, Natalie Chiodo. Natalie is a tutor at the University of Melbourne and a technical editor at the Australian Institute of Architects. Natalie talks about the architectural styles in Italy that have made their way to Melbourne. Listen along to learn more about the history of these styles and what they represent. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Natalie Chiodo (University of Melbourne and Australian Institute of Architects)

In episode 1, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Paola Bombardieri, Christian Reitano and Olivia Zagari who serve as past and current presidents of the Melbourne University Italian Social Club (Club). The Club was born in 1959, the year in which the Italian language was first taught at the University of Melbourne. Governed by a voluntary executive and general committee, it hosts a range of cultural and language-based events including food days, film screenings, bocce and scopa games. It also works with other Victorian university Italian clubs to organise the annual Italian Ball and Boat Cruise. Listen along to learn more about Italo-Australian youth culture as well as the past, present and future work of the Club. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Paola Bombardieri, Christian Reitano and Olivia Zagari (Melbourne University Italian Social Club)

In episode 12 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Maria Pasquale, an award-winning food and travel writer based in Rome. Maria is a proud Italo-Australian and the creator of the blog HeartRome with readers in over 100 countries. She contributes regularly to USA Today, CNN, Fodor’s, and The Telegraph. In 2017 she published 'I Heart Rome' and she is currently writing her second book 'How to be Italian'. Listen along to learn more about daily life in Rome and Maria's transition from being a tourist to a resident there. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Maria Pasquale (HeartRome)

In episode 11 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Nornie Bero, head chef and business owner of Mabu Mabu, a Torres Strait Islander food business based in Melbourne. Nornie is originally from Mer Island in the Torres Strait and has been a professional chef for over 20 years. She talks about her experience working in some of Melbourne's iconic Italian restaurants, and provides ways of incorporating Indigenous ingredients into Italian cooking. Listen along to learn more about Indigenous ingredients, how to grow them and where to find them. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu)

In episode 10 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa sits down with Paola Lachimia, known as Nonna Paola, with her son Greg and grandson Mitchell. Nonna Paola is much loved and adored worldwide for her radiant smile, bold personality, kind heart and hatred for tattoos. Listen along to learn more about the woman behind those iconic videos and discover Nonna Paola's life journey. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Paola Lachimia (Nonna Paola), accompanied by her son Greg and grandson Mitchell

In episode 9 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Carlo and Valeria Corallo, President and Committee Member of the Sicilian Association of Australia (TSAA). Valeria and Carlo talk about the work of TSAA, how it evolved and its future ambitions. They also speak on Sicily and Sicilian culture, as well as their upbringing and Italian-Australian culture. Listen along to learn more about Sicilian food, culture and history.   Host: Annalisa Cercone Guests: Carlo and Valeria Corallo (Sicilian Association of Australia)

In episode 8 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Elvira Andreoli, founder, singer and guitarist of the Rustica Project, a Melbourne-based Italian folk band. Learn more about Italian folk music, its traditions, and the role of music in Southern Italy.   Elvira also speaks on her upbringing, life in Australia and the role of her heritage in fostering her love for performing.   Host: Annalisa Cercone Guest: Elvira Andreoli

In episode 6 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Paola Bacchia, well-known food writer, educator and author of the famous blog ‘Italy on my mind’ as well as the cookbooks, 'Italian street food' and 'ADRIATICO' (with a third on Istria currently underway). Paola speaks about the role of her Italian heritage in turning her love of cooking into a successful food-centred career. She also discusses Italian coastlines, migration and traditional dishes from Italy's North East.   Host: Annalisa Cercone Guest: Paola Bacchia

In episode 7 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Rosa Voto, founder and director of the Melbourne School of Tarantella, about Southern Italian traditional and ritualistic dances. Learn more about the history of tarantella, what is actually is and the many different styles to it.   Rosa also speaks on her upbringing, life in Australia and the inter-regional complexities she lived through in Italy.   Host: Annalisa Cercone Guest: Rosa Voto

In episode 5 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to James Liotta, award-winning Italian-Australian actor, comedian and producer with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. James speaks about his upbringing in Melbourne, Italian heritage, journey as an actor and how he has become so well-known within the Melbourne-Italian community. James also speaks on his characters in his Italian comedic skits and the inspiration behind them. Host: Annalisa Cercone Guest: James Liotta

In episode 4 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Romina Beltrame, Director of Il Papiro in Melbourne. Il Papiro is an artisan stationery shop in Melbourne's Central Business District that supplies a range of products direct from Florence. Romina chats about her inspiration for starting the business as well as the La Befana display she has put on for the 2020 festive season. Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Romina Beltrame Graphic: Katia Pellicciotta Music: Fulvio Cabrera