The arts have been important in my family for multiple generations. Through my grandfathers, one an architect and the other a music theorist and composer, I developed a keen sense of structure and a philosophical interest in both music and the visual arts. Early exposure to my father’s orchestral and opera performances, coupled with a multitude of symphonic recordings, stimulated my passion for music which eventually led me to conducting.

As a child, I immersed myself in studying violin, piano, and French horn. As a teenager, that expanded to lessons in singing, recorder, saxophone, guitar, and viola as well. Theory and composition studies followed as I took my understanding of music to the next level.

Parenting!

Being a mother for over a decade now has been the most important responsibility and an absolute joy. Parenting has enhanced me as a person and as a conductor. It’s a tough balancing act to be my best self as a mother, conductor, and music director. My children are a constant inspiration to me: how they think, how they learn, their lightness of being and their passion for the world. All of them love both nature and music; each has found a different passion in the arts, science, and sport. They give me the opportunity to see life through other lenses.

Running!

Being an athlete helps me maintain overall strength so I’m fit on the podium, fresh and energetic to manage the demands of motherhood, and to handle my intense travel schedule. Like music, running feeds my soul and gives me time and space to reflect.

I credit my strength to Alison Unterreiner, my physical therapist at http://therunnersclinicpt.com/ for my current fitness level and strong health.

The physicality of Ioannides’ career requires dedication and perseverance, much like an athletic endeavor. She shares her story of injury, healing and music as a lens through which others might envision succeeding in anything that requires both mental and physical discipline.

Two Personal Bests; Overall Female Winner of the 2021 30k Run with TCMA / Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon June 2022 (Pace 8:19/Mile)

“I’ve always had a passion for running,” says Ioannides, “but…with having two knee surgeries, conquering Lyme disease, and bringing up three children—while living in three states from coast to coast—my physical strength needed recovery…an ongoing challenge with constant travel.”