By Tiffany Merlo Phelps
mail@floridanewsline.com
Music has always been a part of Molly Ronan’s life. It began at home with her musician father who plays the guitar. In fact, Ronan recalls a picture of her as a baby with her hands on the keys of a piano. “I have never known life without music or instruments. I have always known that it was something that I wanted to do,” said Ronan. While the piano ultimately wasn’t the right fit for Ronan, the flute and the harp were. Ronan, a Ponte Vedra High and University of Florida graduate, was introduced to the flute at the age of 11 while in band at Landrum Middle School. “That roped me in, and I just fell in love right away. It was one of those magic Harry Potter wand moments,” said Ronan, 22. “I have also been blessed with some amazing teachers.” Ronan studied classical flute under symphony maestros Laura Dwyer and Rhonda Cassano, eventually studying the Irish wooden folk flute and tin whistle with Christina Dolphin. She added the harp to her skillset at the age of 14, later learning to specialize in the Celtic lever harp under the direction of Elizabeth Landis and Kathy Braswell. With an Irish background and a love for Irish music, Ronan set out to learn the Irish traditional flute in addition to playing the classical flute. She learned by Skyping with a teacher in Ireland. “There is so much joy expressed in the music,” said Ronan, who became a four-time Mid-Atlantic Fleadh champion and eight-time medal holder (Irish Music Championships) in 2022. She also participated in the Fleadh Cheoil (World Irish Music Championships) in Ireland. “I got to play with a lot of local musicians. It was such an amazing experience,” said Ronan, who devotes most of her time to performing at events for clients. “What I enjoy most is to be part of a special occasion and to bring joy through live music,” she said. “I always try to convey my genuine love for the music to everyone and do the best that I can.” Later this year, Ronan will release a harp solo album.
Q: Where do you perform and how long have you been doing so?
A: I perform at weddings, birthday parties and other gatherings and venues. I am focused on creating the atmosphere and the environment that is catered to that event. I really try to set the tone for how the event is going to feel, and I tailor it to their specific needs. I have been performing solo for two years. Prior to that, I performed as a duo with my dad at various venues.
Q: Why do you think live music is so important for the community?
A: I think that is something that we really realized when the world was shut down during COVID: how much we need that interaction. We need music like we need food. Music is just such a human experience. It is something that we share through different cultures and different ages of time. It is so universal, and it can help connect us. Music is the main expression that allows us to have these lifelong memories.
Q: How long did you take Irish dancing lessons?
A: I started Irish dancing when I was six years old and continued until I was 17 years old. It was amazing, and it was definitely a competitive dance world. I had a good time, and I ended up getting to the championship level. It was great growing up because it was like my team sport. It was very hard physically with the cardio level, and we would practice six days a week. That’s where I like to say that my discipline was really born. That’s where I really decided that I was really going to work for the things that I want. The more you practice, the more you get. So that really bled over into everything else in my life, especially musically.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I love going to the beach, writing poems and stories and eating Publix subs.
Q: You have a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. How did you get interested in this field?
A: I always had a very strong interest in ancient cultures, civilizations and other foreign cultures and civilizations. When I took my first class at the University of Florida, I fell in love with it. I think studying many different things contributes a lot to my art and makes me a richer person overall.
Photo courtesy Molly Ronan
Molly Ronan
