'I am enjoying the heck out of playing flute and singing solo numbers with the Cork Light Orchestra'

Tell us about yourself;

I am the Chair of the Cork Light Orchestra, a 25-piece group of semi-professional and amateur musicians who enjoy playing friendly, fun concerts. I play flute and piccolo in the orchestra, and sing an occasional solo with the group.

I am also an artist, making drawings and collages, and you can see my work at vgartist.com. Art and music are my full-time jobs in my retirement (I am 70 years old and loving life!)

Where were you born?

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and have lived in Boston, Upstate New York, Seattle, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Florida, and now Cork.

Where do you live?

I have lived for six years in Mahon and Blackrock, Cork. I am an Irish citizen and love my new country. It’s beautiful, friendly, inclusive, creative, compassionate, and just plain good.

Family?

I have a loving, brilliant husband, Neal Dunnigan. We have four children and five grandchildren.

In addition, I have an Irish ‘daughter’ Sarah who started out as a good friend but has become so dear to me that we are as close as family.

Best friend?

My best friends are members of the Cork Light Orchestra, which I joined immediately upon arriving in Ireland in 2018. The CLO members are my best brunch buddies, my Little Women’s Christmas buddies, and my partners in the crime of making music that everyone loves!

Earliest childhood memory?

Crawling in and out of my brother’s tuba and dancing in front of the Lawrence Welk Show on television. I grew up to play flute and sing and study music all the way to PhD.

Person you most admire?

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She was a voice for women and for the marginalized during a very difficult time in the U.S.

Person who most irritates you?

Donald Trump. I can’t abide a liar or a businessman who goes bankrupt to avoid paying his debts.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Spending almost three months in Beijing with my husband Neal, knowing no-one, being unable to read any signs or understand any language, and finding out who I really was.

Favourite TV programme?

The United States game show The Floor which I wish RTÉ would show in Ireland! Also, Cork’s own The Young Offenders – “I’m Billy Murphy!”

Favourite radio show?

Anything on RTÉ Lyric!

Your signature dish if cooking?

I make lovely fresh blackberry scones and strawberry rhubarb pie.

Favourite restaurant?

No contest at all: The Blackrock Castle Café. The food and the service are superb. It is my home away from home. I have a meal there at least once a week and I love everyone who works there.

Last book you read?

101 Reasons Why Cork Is Better Than Dublin, by Pat Fitzpatrick.

Best book you read?

The Bible. No matter how many times you read it, it is always new.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I just pre-ordered Fíoruisce - The Legend Of The Lough, a three-act Gaelic folk opera composed by my friend and teacher John Spillane.

Favourite song?

Anything by John Spillane: Will We Be Brilliant Or What?, The Dunnes Stores Girl, Passage West – anything.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Me. I am doing a vocal recital in 2025 to sing all my favourite songs from different periods of my life. I will perform with a lovely bunch: piano, bass, drums, guitar, violin. Please watch for an announcement!

Do you have a pet?

I have three cats: Peter is a true Irish ginger, Guru is sleek solid black, and Boogie is a cute-faced tabby.

Morning person or night owl?

I love getting up at 5am every day and getting with it: exercising, writing, walking, practicing singing, making plans. I get a great deal done before 8am.

Your proudest moment?

Participating as a contestant on the U.S game show The Floor. There were 100 contestants who were superb human beings, directed by a sterling crew. I had a sense of hundreds of people working together on a very worthwhile artistic collaboration that was good for the economy, good for individuals, fun, and harmless. What could be better?

Spendthrift or saver?

I’m a bill payer. I have a very low debt threshold and cannot stand to owe anyone money. I am also a saver, or I would never have been able to afford to move to Ireland. I am also a spender because I do love to have a good time: travelling, eating out, getting beauty treatments!

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

I would love to throw an outdoor party in our little Mahon estate and help everyone get to know each other better and become close friends. Perhaps that is in the future!

What makes you happy?

Face cream. Flowers in my garden. Purring cats. My husband’s laugh. Making art. Singing.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a peacemaker who enjoyed collaborative projects that lifted everyone up together.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am enjoying the heck out of playing flute and singing solo numbers with the Cork Light Orchestra. I encourage anyone who plays an instrument and wants to play music with a great group of people to give the CLO a try!

Cork Light Orchestra will be performing as part of Cork City Culture Night on Friday, September 22, at Cork City Gaol. Booking required on www.culturenight.ie