ELVIO FERNANDES
roc star academy founder
Elvio is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Since 2012 has been a member of the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band Daughtry, for which he is keyboardist, backup vocalist, and a songwriter.
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On the national stage​
Elvio has co-written multiple Daughtry songs, including “Crazy,” “Witness,” “Just Found Heaven,” “Asylum,” and the no. 1 Billboard hit “Heavy Is The Crown,” which inspired the band’s current branding and logo. He also has produced music for TV and radio commercials, for campaigns including Chevy and McDonald’s.
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In addition to performing for millions around the world, Elvio’s national TV appearances with Daughtry include “American Idol,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve w/Ryan Seacrest,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Talk,” “Live with Kelly and Michael," "Celebrity Family Fued,” and “The Today Show.”
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In addition to his work with Daughtry, the national recording artists with whom Elvio has worked include Richard Marx,Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, Brian McKnight, and Claude Kelly. A song he produced and co-wrote with “American Idol" finalist Ace Young debuted in the Top 50.
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Inspiration behind ROC Star Academy
​Elvio’s first instrument was a toy piano, which he began playing at 3-years-old and soon after began writing songs. After years of school athletics with Gates-Chili School District, he learned to play guitar and formed his first band while a student at SUNY Geneseo. The son of Portuguese immigrants Elvio grew up surrounded by traditional and expressive Fado music and a mother and grandfather who performed together. His mother is also a singer and composer.
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Before being personally invited by Chris Daughtry to join the band, Elvio performed for several years with Rochester bands, most notably with the band Uncle Plum. That is where he began connecting with kids and inviting them onstage while he played festivals and events and crafted the idea to start Camp ROC Star in 2009. The success of the program, plus student and parent high demand, fueled the formation of the year-round ROC Star Academy in 2017.
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Elvio and his wife, Jessica (whom Elvio calls “the true rock star of our family”) collectively manage ROC Star Academy and are the proud parents of two grown sons.
