Lena Lonigro

Announcer

HOMETOWN

I claim four:

• Richmond, Indiana, birthplace
• Paris, France, for 12 years
• Detroit, Michigan, for 5 years
• and last but not least, Dayton, Ohio, where I have lived for the longest period of my adult life.

FAMILY

Four daughters and two grandchildren, plus various relatives scattered hither and yon.

ACTIVITIES / HOBBIES / INTERESTS

Writing, movies, various concerts, opera, theatre, dance, art museums, cooking, reading, learning about other cultures, walking and tending my plants.

MY FAVORITE BOOKS

“The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd because of the amazing main character who is dealt a tough blow at a very early age but manages to survive and succeed in her own way.

Another all-time favorite is Gustav Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary” for the absolutely elegant writing and characterization.

MY FAVORITE MOVIE

“Doctor Zhivago” for its riveting story set during the Russian revolution, its beautiful musical theme and excellent cast.

“Impromptu” set in Paris and covering the time that Frederic Chopin, George Sand and Franz Liszt were all in vogue along with a whole group of writers, artists and musicians—it has everything: music, writing, romance, comedy, and history.

MY FAVORITE COMPOSER / MUSIC

It changes everyday, but two all-time favorites are Dvorak for the joy he creates with his music, and Beethoven for the passion and emotion he conveys.

MY PASSION

I am always intrigued by the myriad connections I find, almost everyday, between composers or between the different areas of arts, or between different cultures—the coincidences in life, large or small, can make me feel passionate about starting another day.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT DAYTON

I love that Dayton has such an active and vibrant arts community. I can always find something interesting to do whether it’s a concert, a walk at one of the great parks in the area, a foreign film or an interesting new restaurant. It’s wonderful to have all of this available within a drive of no more than 15 to 30 minutes.