In 1991, Gioia Michelotti graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois, U.S.A., with a B.A. in Biblical Studies. In 1993, she graduated from Wheaton College Graduate School with an M.A. in Communication (Print-Journalism). She especially enjoyed her interdisciplinary thesis/creative project that combined creative writing, theatre, and missions, culminating in the researching and writing of a full-length stage play, “The Bravery of Lady Darah,” contextualizing Christianity in Cambodian culture. Several of Gioia’s articles were published in mission and theological journals. During her studies at Wheaton, Gioia minored in music (piano) and ethnomusicology, while choosing many electives in the field of visual art.

While growing up, Gioia traveled around the world with her military family, studying music, ballet, and visual art from prestigious teachers. She performed as soloist with a branch of the Rome Opera Ballet based in Livorno and Pisa, Italy. Throughout her lifetime, Gioia wrote stories, poems, and articles which were published in newspapers and magazines. She also wrote stage plays, which she produced, directed, or acted in. Gioia was very active in school and community theatre groups. For many years, she taught drawing and painting classes at community centers in places where she lived.

Gioia founded and served as Artistic Director, choreographer, and teacher for Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre and school based in Pensacola, Florida, U.S.A. She also received a grant for her interdisciplinary arts workshops for children (integrating creative experiences in the five art forms) offered through the Pensacola Museum of Art.

At the present time, Gioia is Director of Cambodian Christian Arts Ministry (CCAM), serving as advisor and teacher at the CCAM School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In addition to providing a loving home for disadvantaged Cambodian children, CCAMS also offers students academic and vocational training, plus instruction in the five art forms (Khmer traditional and Western), as well as in Bible, Christian discipleship, and arts ministry.

In 2006, Gioia directed an English language evangelistic version of the musical “Annie” featuring CCAMS students, which was performed at a Phnom Penh theatre. In 2007, she apprenticed one of the CCAMS graduate interns, Lina Pao, to write, illustrate, and publish (through Fount of Wisdom) the first Khmer Christian children’s book entitled “Miknia’s Doll.” Presently Gioia is supervising the writing and illustrating of additional children’s books by students and staff for publication by CCAMS. Gioia has also nurtured the creation of contemporary Khmer Christian songs by CCAMS students, and has choreographed for the CCAMS dance team Christian dances in Western styles (ballet and contemporary), as well as in blended styles (Khmer + Western). Gioia led a CCAMS Performance Tour to the United States in 2001, followed by another to Europe in 2006.

Most importantly, Gioia is a Bible teacher, often interpreting the biblical message through song, dance, drama, picture, or story, especially in cross-cultural contexts. She creates artistic PowerPoint presentations as teaching aids, and orchestrates interactive arts workshops to encourage Christian artists to discover their gifts and callings. In 2014, Gioia founded New Creative Ventures Christian Arts Fellowship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and became the Bible teacher for their monthly meetings and for the New Creative Ventures Bible study blog.

Gioia has two children and four grandchildren who live in the United States.