Where are you from originally?
I was born and spent most of my childhood in Brooklyn, New York
Funniest orchestra story?
Hands down, the funniest (and my most embarrassing) orchestra story involves my youngest daughter, Grace, who was not quite 3-years-old at the time. The ASO was performing our holiday show and Grace accompanied my three older sons to what should have been a fun-filled and most entertaining afternoon of holiday music, acrobats and puppets. Each of the acts were introduced by a musical host – a lovely and talented soprano who wore a different ball gown upon each entrance to the stage. There was much packed into this two-hour holiday spectacular. After intermission, my family had settled back into their third-row seats. The lights dimmed as the audience waited with eager anticipation for the show to resume. As the soprano waltzed across the stage in all her magnificence, my sweet baby girl yelled out loudly enough for those of us sitting in the back of the orchestra to hear, “OH NO, NOT AGAIN!!!” I guess she had reached her limit. I still remember the reaction of my horn section as one of my colleagues leaned over and asked me if that was my daughter. I should note that after a brief hiatus, Grace has enjoyed many concerts without incident and has even shared the stage with the symphony as a member of the Samford University A Cappella Choir.
How many years in the symphony?
I joined the ASO in the fall of 1997
Musical Hero?
My life has been greatly impacted through the years by many gifted musicians. It would be nearly impossible for me to mention just one, so I will name a few that have had the greatest influence on me. I’ll have to start with my aunt, Shirley Verrett. I spent a lot of time with her during my formative years which gave me great insight into the hard work and dedication it takes to be a world class musician and made me first realize that I wanted to spend my life pursuing a career in music. Some of my earliest memories are of watching her perform lead roles at the Metropolitan Opera. Next is my late husband, Joel Tarpley, who was a member of the Alabama Symphony until his death in 1997. He taught me much about music and life in general. He was the embodiment of grace under pressure. Performing did not come easily to him but you would not know that from the end result. He always made it sound effortless and yet I knew of the countless hours he put into honing his craft, all while remaining a most dedicated husband and father. Lastly are my colleagues in the ASO horn section. I have played alongside David Pandolfi, Kevin Kozak and Jeff Solomon for the past 24 years and have never stopped marveling at the fact that I get to perform with these extraordinary musicians who I also have the honor of calling my friends.