Giovanni Voltaggio

Our sweet, smart, sensitive and remarkably self-possessed brother, uncle and friend Giovanni Voltaggio died on January 1, 2026 at his home in Austin, Texas, in the presence of dear family members and friends. He leaves behind an inspiring legacy of musicianship and friendship, and he will be remembered for his fortitude, equanimity and commitment to living life to the fullest in the face of a recent cancer diagnosis.
Gio was born John James Voltaggio in Brownsville, Texas, on September 28, 1958, the fifth of six children born to Anthony Voltaggio and Marie Siracusa Voltaggio. His training as a pianist started in his grade-school years, and his lifelong commitment to piano performance began when he was a teenager waking early for five a.m. practice sessions before heading off to school. He graduated from Pace High School in Brownsville in 1976, studied piano performance at the University of Minnesota, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music theory and composition from the University of Texas. He was a lifelong learner and in 2025 began studying with renowned pianist Artem Kuznetsov.
In addition to studying music in his youth, Gio was well-known in his hometown as a musical director and pianist for The Company Players community theater productions of musicals including Godspell, West Side Story, Pippin, and Chicago. He also appeared onstage as Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown—both his debut and swan song as an actor. In addition, he became well-versed in lighting design, set construction and other offstage and backstage theatrical pursuits with the Camille Playhouse in Brownsville.
After moving to Austin in the early 1980s, Gio had a host of jobs as a musician. He began as the organist at Scampi's Organ Palace and the piano player at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse; was the ballet rehearsal accompanist for Ballet Austin, as well as for members of the American Ballet Theater in their summer practice sessions at the University of Texas at Austin; and filled in at Esther's Follies for their vacationing pianist in the Lyova Rosanoff years.
At the time of his death, Giovanni was the organist at Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin, a job he loved dearly. He was also a dance accompanist at Austin Community College Highland campus. A member of the Piano Technicians Guild, he was the official piano technician for Austin/Bergstrom International Airport's series of performances by local musicians. He also owned and operated A440 Piano Tuning Service serving the greater Austin area.
Those fortunate enough to know Gio remain here to remind the world of his quick wit, gentle heart, steadfast friendship, and equanimity of spirit. Gio saw everything as a blessing, even in his last days, when he greeted the delivery of a hospital bed to his apartment not as a reminder of his decline, but as a wondrous way to sleep much more comfortably. When news of his health was not good, as was often the case in recent months, he simply accepted it, never relinquishing any of his precious remaining time on the planet to perseverating about it. He was hugely grateful for Hospice Austin, whose assistance enabled him to live and practice at home during his illness; he played his last church service on Christmas Eve before his death eight days later.
Gio was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by brothers Vincent Voltaggio, Tony (Renee) Voltaggio, and Sam (Cathy) Voltaggio and by sisters Chetta (Julio) Ramirez and Annette (Rodney) Christopher, as well as nephews Michael (Nancy) Ramirez and David (Carla) Ramirez and great-nephews Azael, Leonardo and Isaiah.
His family and close friends wish to thank Hospice Austin for enabling him to thrive at home, even if all too briefly, before his passing. Services are pending and will be announced at a later date.