Sweet moment as dad sings “Ave Maria” at Disney World in front of proud daughter
A spontaneous and deeply heartfelt musical performance at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has captured the collective imagination and hearts of millions of people across the globe. The touching, viral moment occurred when Justin Gigliello, a professional opera singer, was visiting the elegant, Victorian-themed resort with his young daughter, Lyla. During their time at the hotel, Lyla took the initiative to approach the resident pianist, Wes Hamrick, to ask if her father might be permitted to sing along with the music. Hamrick, who has served as a professional pianist at Walt Disney World for a full decade, having started his career at the resort in 2013, graciously agreed to the request, setting the stage for an unexpected and highly refined rendition of the classic piece “Ave Maria.”
As the performance began, Gigliello displayed a truly beautiful and technically polished classical tenor voice that immediately commanded the attention of those in the lobby. The scene was visually unique, as Gigliello was dressed casually in a football jersey and shorts, standing in stark contrast to the formal dinner suit worn by Hamrick. Lyla, meanwhile, looked adorable in her Minnie Mouse shirt as she watched her father perform with genuine, wide-eyed admiration. As the song progressed, a large crowd of passersby began to gather, drawn in by the high quality of the singing. When the final note faded, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause, leaving the trio with wide, genuine smiles.
The video of this performance quickly became a massive hit across various social media platforms. It was hosted by FOX 35 Orlando, where it went viral and accumulated an impressive 14 million views, becoming the most popular video on the station’s entire channel. Online viewers were deeply moved by the interaction, frequently highlighting the adoring and proud expression on Lyla’s face as she watched her father. Many commenters shared sentiments about how the daughter’s reaction made the moment especially meaningful, noting that it was a memory she would likely cherish for the rest of her life. Others were quick to offer praise to Hamrick for his skillful and steady accompaniment throughout the piece, noting his long-standing history of providing quality music at the resort.
Watch the full performance on page two
