North Pinellas Community Band Member
Spotlight

North Pinellas Community Band
Spotlights:
January 25, 2026

Val Mahoney

Hometown: North Bellmore, Long Island/ NY

Current City: Dunedin, FL

Genre(s): what I listen to is pretty wide ranging - soft rock ( 70’s rock Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Billy Joel, Tom Petty) U2, Taylor Swift, Pink, New wave (the Cure, Depeche Mode) Contemporary Christian rock, Folk ( Hozier, Lumineers, Mumford & Sons), Classical, music from Broadway shows & NYC operas, classical music, country music, Appalachian folk… pretty much everything… except I’m not a fan of heavy metal !!

Short Bio: I was introduced to musical instruments and music appreciation in elementary school where I was taught to play the flute. My parents decided around this time that piano lessons were also important for me to learn and so Mrs. Kligerman came to our house weekly and gave piano instruction. This lasted about 2 years due to my lack of practice dedication at that time in my life 🫢. My parents also brought my siblings and I to various local symphony performances in my middle school years in an effort to “broaden our horizons” - I honestly did not appreciate any of their decisions then, but I sure do now 😊 ( with age, hopefully appreciation and some wisdom 🙌). I played the flute through out all my childhood schooling and then stopped when high school ended… off to college & adulting. It was 30+ years later - during Covid actually - that I was inspired to pick the flute up and only because my sister in law sent me one as a surprise gift!! Shortly there after, I started lessons with a local teacher. At that time, I set a goal to get “good enough” and find a community band to join and possibly play locally. This has led to my joining the NPCB where I have had a blast playing with so many musicians (with all levels of skill ). It has been such a rewarding experience led by such a fun and amazing guy- Austin. I have had lots of opportunities to play at local assisted-living places, local churches & community centers. It has been so much fun, and has helped me grow musically. I’ve met a new group of people I can now call my friends. I am so grateful for all the gifts of fun & friendship the NPCB has given me in these past couple years !!!.

Musical instrument: Flute

Overall Musical Experience: elementary-high school

Biggest Inspiration: my flute teacher, Susan.

Favorite Song to Perform live : American anthem

Fun Fact about me: I love to be outdoors on sunny days enjoying the beach, e- biking or taking long-ish walks with my pup.