Ecuadorean-born American, Gioconda R. Simmonds Zanetti was raised in the Upper West Side of Manhattan and began her guitar studies when she was six years old at the former City Music School of New York. Other instruments such as the violin, piano and accordion were also explored but the Classical Guitar has always remained her passion.

Gioconda holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University at Buffalo. She is an amateur classical guitarist who is excited to be part of Section 4 of NJGO. She is also the proud mother of her two children, Giovanna and Desiderio.