New York – In February, Virginio took part in a co-writing session in New York along with American authors Jesse Harris (winner of two Grammy Awards for the over 22 million copies sold with Norah Jones), Andy Marvel (over 35 million copies sold with Celine Dion, among others) and Dimitri Elrich (million of copies sold with Moby and Westlife, among others). Virginio was invited by Roberto Mancinelli (SonyATV Italian Portfolio Consultant in the US) to attend the session, and was put to the test, learning the ways of the American authors and writing together new songs in English. The experience proved to be a big surprise for the Italian singer, who found himself overseas for the first time, composing songs in Manhattan studios with the help of high-profile personalities. Virginio Simonelli, known simply as Virginio, won in 2011 the 10th edition of Amici di Maria De Filippi in the singing category. (9cvolonne)