Mona MacPhail

Music defined the life of Sarasota’s Mona MacPhail, who died on June 18 at age 78. She loved performing music, conducting it, teaching it, listening to music in concert halls and dancing to music in ballrooms. The only things she loved more were her husband, Bob Kellaway, and her wide circle of friends, who included many former students who stayed in touch for decades. “Friends felt safe, special and loved by Mona,” Kellaway said. “Once that love was established, it was there for life. Her energy, together with her enthusiasm for life, were contagious. There were never enough hours in the day for Mona. Carpe diem was her mantra.” Kellaway met Mona in 2007 at a ballroom dancing class in Sarasota. “I was struck by her grace and beauty as she danced,” he said. “She clearly was no beginner, but here she was dancing with beginners. That’s the essence of Mona: always giving, always striving to enhance the life of everyone she met.” Marco Jimenez studied piano with Mona for 12 years in Sarasota before going on to Juilliard and Columbia. “Since I was little, my musical and personal life have been shaped by her,” he said. “She always approached teaching with such verve, passion and inspiration…her approach to music and life is something that I genuinely regard to be soul-changing.” “Mona had an infectious smile and laugh,” Jimenez continued. “And she was one of the most giving people I’ve ever met. She was there for me every step of the way, from the time I was a little child, into my teenage and college years….Her spirit will always live on in my memories, and her influence, approach to life, love, compassion and kindness will continue to guide me, always.” Mona was “an extraordinary teacher, and I think it’s fair to say she touched all of us beyond teaching,” said Sharon Pidgeon, a student at The School of Music, which Mona founded for high school students in 1982 with the cooperation of The University of Tampa. Pidgeon said Mona arranged concerts, gave rides to students who needed them, provided coveted college references, and was even their social coordinator. “She was our cheerleader and our inspiration,” Pidgeon said. “Her friendship and her caring nature lasted a lifetime and lives on through her students. We will have to learn to face the music without her.” Mona impacted the families of her students, too. Carroll Shephard, who knew her for more than 35 years, said she “deepened your soul and brightened your life…. the world is brighter in her absence because of her thousands of students, friends and family members who will keep her love, laughter, and music going.” Mona served as education director of the Florida West Coast Symphony (now the Sarasota Orchestra) from 1992-1999. Gretchen Serrie, who hired her, said she knew immediately that she was the perfect fit. “She was the kindest, most loving person that I’ve ever known,” Serrie said. “She really identified with the idealistic goals of our education program. She was the consummate teacher. We called her Mona McMozart, because of her musical talent and taste.” Mona left the education position for health reasons but continued to be a sought-after piano teacher for decades. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Mona was a graduate of Brooklyn College but was not initially a music major. However, she worked at the campus radio station and constantly picked the brains of musicians who came in for interviews. A friend recalled that Mona said one of those visitors, renowned composer Aaron Copland, was so impressed that he suggested Mona change her major to music, which she did. She went on to earn her master’s in music from the University of Wisconsin, where she conducted several choral and orchestral groups, including the university’s symphony orchestra. She returned to Brooklyn College as a faculty member and later ran the music department at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts. After meeting at that ballroom dance lesson, Mona and Kellaway were married in 2012. It was her fourth marriage, and his third. On and off the dance floor, theirs was the perfect partnership. “I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have met and married Mona,” Kellaway said. “She introduced me to so many good friends, activities, and most of all, music, her passion in life. I will be forever grateful for the way she enriched my life.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity. A celebration of life will be scheduled in the fall.

Tributes

Mona MacPhail

June 18, 2025