Under the glare of spotlights, Federico Galeazzi spread his fingers across the shinning keys of the grand piano, as he performed, baroque symphonies enveloped the room. With every note he enthralled the audience, before striking the final chord and bowing amidst an eruption of applause. Just hours later, Galeazzi was cutting through the water at a swim meet, each stroke as precise as his melodies. Balancing the intensity of competition, the artistry of piano, the rigor of advanced classes and the responsibility of being an Eagle Scout, Federico Galeazzi exemplifies the model of a well-rounded achiever, inspiring his peers and mentors alike.
“Federico is without a doubt the smartest friend I have. Last year, he would spend lunch tutoring me on Algebra and Physics even though he had lots of work to do. He didn’t just understand the math, but [he understood] how to explain it to me in a way I would understand too,” sophomore Luis Nuñez said.
Motivated at a young age, Galeazzi strived to compete with his classmates in elementary school; he initially started piano, boy scouts and swimming because of his friends’ interest. But unlike them, he possessed the discipline and drive to continue these pastimes until high school, where they evolved into defining passions that helped him to shape his identity and ambition.
“Things that are challenging to me I find enjoyable. I love understanding the complexities of a subject or the difficulty of a musical piece. I feel motivated to stay involved in extracurriculars like boy scouts and swimming becuase they make me feel part of a community. When I need guidance, the team is always there to help me and I’m always there to assist them,” Galeazzi said.
At Gables, Galeazzi is a sophomore in the International Baccalaureate program that strives to be a well-rounded achiever with a dream of one day being an engineer. As a Cavalier, he is an athlete on the swim and water polo teams, a member of the choir and exceptional student. Outside of school, he practices piano and is an eagle scout in Miami’s Troop 143.
“Federico is in my period seven AP Physics class and he is one of my top students. He works hard, is diligent, asks good questions and in his work, I can tell he gives genuine effort. I think he has a lot of potential for a physics degree in the future considering his effort and intelligence,” Mr. Del Valle said.
Galeazzi joined the Boy Scouts of America in second grade with his friends, but never anticipated to remain dedicated. As he reflected on cherished childhood experiences, he became inspired to uplift younger scouts so they could have the same memories. Galeazzi climbed the ranks of Troop 143, earning merit badges, learning new skills and garnering respect from his peers.
Lastly, he organized his Eagle Scout project, the ultimate test of his newfound leadership, that when complete, would grant him the highest position in scouting: Eagle Scout. Along with other scouts, he collected 14 bags of trash and extracted microplastics from Berry Island, an area with a declining ecosystem, severely impacted by pollution. He combined the microplastics with resin to create key chains with environmental messages. The troop distributed the key chains and spoke with members of the Gables community to spread awareness about the danger microplastic pollution poses to the Gables environment.
In regards to his musical inclination, Galeazzi began learning the piano 11 years ago with the help of his parents, but began committing more time to the art after meeting his piano teacher in middle school. Through hours of memorization and repetition, he began to learn classic symphonies of the likes of Bach and Scarlatti. Eventually, his artistic outlet became a place of clarity and stillness; as he focused on each note, the stress clouding his mind was relieved.
“One of my favorite composers is Scarlatti, because I love Spanish Baroque music. It has a dance-like rhythm that makes it really fun to play. I also enjoy Chopin because of his pieces’ emotion and passion, as well as the difficulty they pose to master. My piano teacher is my biggest inspiration, and he’s the best pianist I know… He helps me understand music not only on a rhythmic level, but on a theory level,” Galeazzi said.As the symphonies he played became more complex, he found a passion for the difficulty of the art, inspiring him to compete. From international competitions to local bands, his musical talent opened up numerous opportunities. His monumental performance at the “Chopin for All” event hosted by the Chopin Foundation in April 2024, showcased his talent. Galeazzi performed the opening piece, Chopin’s Polonaise Op. 40, No. 2 in C minor with profound precision.
“Months prior to my Chopin performance, I centered my life around the Polonaise. I played every day until I mastered it with absolute perfection. I had confidence on the day of the performance so I wasn’t really nervous about messing up. I just wanted to show my piano teacher that I was capable, he was the only one in the audience I really cared about,” Galeazzi said.
Now, as a matured swimmer, Galeazzi spends countless hours perfecting his endurance and speed in preparation for upcoming competitions; but he had not always been so dedicated. Galeazzi started working with Coach Wood at the beginning of freshman year with no competitive background in swimming. The demanding sport required relentless effort and he found it hard managing time for school. However, with the help of encouragement and camaraderie from his fellow teammates, he quickly found a passion for the sport and decided to join water polo later that year.
With a diverse array of experiences under his belt, Galeazzi has built a foundation for his success. Using his holistic mindset, he approaches problems with a multifaceted perspective. Whether it is a leadership decision in scout training, a new approach to mastering a melody or another equation in physics, Galeazzi uses his balance of skills to achieve success.
