A dad recently went viral after an amazing and unexpected performance of “Ave Maria” at Disney World melted hearts all over the internet. It all started when Justin Gigliello’s daughter, Lyla, had an idea. She walked up to the pianist playing at the resort and sweetly asked, “Can my dad sing along with you?” The pianist smiled and said yes, and what happened next was pure magic.
As soon as Justin started singing, his powerful and beautiful classical tenor voice filled the room. Everyone nearby stopped to listen. His voice wasn’t just good—it was the kind of voice that gives you goosebumps! Lyla, standing nearby in her adorable Minnie Mouse shirt, watched her dad with a look of pride that could light up the whole resort. She looked up at him as if to say, “That’s my dad!”
Before long, people passing by started gathering around to see what was happening. The performance took place at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a fancy hotel with a Victorian theme. Justin’s elegant voice fit the classy setting perfectly, but there was a funny twist—he was wearing casual shorts and a football jersey, while the pianist, Wes Hamrick, was dressed up in a formal dinner suit. This contrast only made the scene more memorable and fun.
When Justin finished singing, the crowd burst into applause, and smiles were everywhere. Lyla beamed with pride, and the pianist looked delighted. It was a perfect Disney moment.
After the video of Justin’s performance hit the internet, it quickly went viral, collecting a jaw-dropping 14 million views on FOX 35 Orlando’s social media page. People couldn’t stop sharing it. Many viewers loved how Justin’s incredible singing was matched by his daughter’s proud reaction. One person commented, “The way his daughter is looking at him throughout is one of the things that makes being a dad so special.” Another wrote, “That little girl has a memory that will last her lifetime. Good job, Dad!”
Fans also gave a lot of credit to Wes Hamrick, the talented pianist who has been playing at Walt Disney World for over a decade, since 2013. His skillful and elegant playing was the perfect backdrop for Justin’s voice.
As it turns out, Justin isn’t just a dad with a good voice—he’s a professional opera singer! He’s classically trained and studied at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he earned his degree in music. He lives in North Stonington, Connecticut, and has performed professionally for years.
In interviews after his viral moment, Justin said he’s no stranger to surprising people with his talent. Many are shocked when they hear a big guy in a football jersey sing a beautiful classical song like “Ave Maria.” Reflecting on this, Justin shared: “I think it’s great, and I love it! I think it adds to people’s reactions once they hear me sing. When I was at the Conservatory, I always got, ‘You don’t look like you should be an opera singer,’ jokingly, of course. But you can never judge a book by its cover.”
Justin isn’t the only talented singer in the family. His daughter, Lyla, also loves to sing! The two have even performed duets together. One of their most popular videos is a heartwarming rendition of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, which you can find on Justin’s YouTube channel.
Since going viral, Justin has been interviewed by national media outlets like Fox News and even appeared on The Steve Harvey Show. His story has captured the hearts of people everywhere, proving that talent and love for family can create truly magical moments.
If you want to hear more from Justin Gigliello, you can follow him on YouTube or Facebook. And don’t forget to share your thoughts about this incredible Disney World moment in the comments below!
