A Dublin teacher has said that it is a "dream come true" to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York City on St Patrick's Day.
Leoni Arakelian is from Mulhuddart, and she teaches music and Geography in Cabra Community College in Dublin 7. Leoni plays the cello with Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, and on March 17 the group of over 130 talented young musicians from all over Ireland and Northern Ireland will perform in Carnegie Hall.
The gig is the final stop for the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland which has performed in 16 venues including in Dublin since January. The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland also marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on St. Patrick’s Day in “Ancora,” a blend of symphonic Celtic music rooted in both the Irish and Ulster Scots traditions.
Read more: US President Joe Biden planning to visit Ireland in April to celebrate Good Friday Agreement
The concert in Carnegie Hall will be opened by Tanaiste Michael Martin with the mayor of New York Eric Adams also attending. Speaking to Dublin Live, Leoni said that she is really excited about performing in Carnegie Hall and that other talented musicians from Tyrellstown and other parts of Dublin are also playing in the orchestra.
She said: "Honestly it's a dream come true. I have been working as a secondary school teacher for five years, the past three years I am working in Cabra Community College as a Music and Geography teacher.
"I played piano at first and studied Music and Geography in Maynooth University. After finishing the degree I then decided to do a PME to become a music and geography teacher. I had always wanted to play the cello in an orchestra but the dream of playing in the world’s most iconic music venue seemed too far-fetched," explained Leoni.
But things changed four years ago, when Leoni heard that the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland was looking for piano players to learn the cello. She said: "The founder of CBOI Sharon-Treacy Dunne provided a small group of us free cellos and free weekly lessons. Ever since then I have had the amazing chance to perform in multiple venues around Ireland for the Peace Proms concert each year."
Leoni said that she was delighted to hear that the Cross Border Orchestra was going to play in Carnegie Hall on St Patrick's Day. She added: "When I heard the Cross Border Orchestra was playing in Carnegie Hall on St. Patrick's day I could not believe my dream was coming true!
"I am so thankful for the cello programme and the opportunity I have been given. Afterall how many people can put Carnegie Hall on their CV?"
The show called "Ancora" will start at 7.00 pm following the St Patrick's Day parade, and will be played by an orchestra of 130 members from all over the country of all different backgrounds. Meanwhile, the orchestra has also put in a special request to perform for US President Joe Biden at the White House.
Leoni said: "If the President says yes this would be such an honor and monumental moment not just for myself but for everyone in the orchestra."
For more information and to get tickets for the gig in Carnegie Hall you can visit the website www.carnegiehall.org
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