Paonessa is an alumnus of OperaWorks Emerging Artist Program and graduate of York University, where she received the Sterling Beckwith Award, a scholarship given to students who demonstrate exceptional promise and ability in performance.

[2][3] In 2012 Alessandra made her European debut as both 'Eumete' and 'Guinone' in Academia Europea Dell'Opera's production of 'Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria' (Monteverdi) under the baton of Gary Thor Wedow (conductor).

[4] In 2014 Alessandra was contacted by British composer, Chris Broom who invited her to sing his original composition, Dolce Vento.

In 2015 Alessandra made her UK debut at the historic Tremfan Hall, Llanbedrog, Wales, in the Oceans Unite concert with teenage singers British soprano Scarlett Quigley and tenor Charlie Botting in support of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

[7] Track List: Alessandra is an ambassador for "Hope for Hearts", a project in support of Sick Kids Hospital Foundation; an organization that inspires communities to invest in health and scientific research to improve the life of children and families in Canada and abroad.