Local Hero: Herndon Violinist Plays So Others May Eat

HERNDON, VA — Front line workers and other essential employees have garnered a great deal of praise for their work during the coronavirus pandemic and rightfully so. They're the ones keeping us safe and putting their lives at risk every day.

With its Local Heroes initiative, Patch is trying to recognize individuals, both those performing essential functions and others, who are helping to make our communities better during these hard times.

Susan McIntosh, a violinist with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, would probably not consider her job to be essential. But her neighbor, Karen McDonald, thinks McIntosh is performing a service benefiting the Herndon community that needs to be recognized. So, she's nominated McIntosh to be a Patch Local Hero.

Ever since the pandemic hit and Virginians were ordered to stay at home, McIntosh has been presenting violin concerts in her driveway to raise the spirits of her neighbors.

"I've done about 17 driveway gigs since the social distancing order was in place, I try to do several a week since the idea is to keep the events small and contactless and there is such an uptick in families in need," McIntosh said, who joked she would "play for beans."

A typical driveway concert is a one-hour, 45-song musical whirlwind that McIntosh performs inside an 8-foot chalk circle in order to keep proper social distancing. Each performance ends with a national anthem challenge, in which she plays a number of national anthems, including those of the U.S. and New Zealand, her country of origin.

The concerts are not just a chance for McIntosh to entertain the neighbors and maintain her playing chops while away from the orchestra, she also collects food for LINK, the nonprofit food pantry serving Herndon, Sterling, and Ashburn.

"Although others have helped with the collections, Karen McDonald was my inspiration and has been integral to the whole project, helping with food collection and delivery to LINK," McIntosh said.

Name of the nominee:

Susan McIntosh

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Karen McDonald

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?
No

What does the nominee do for work?
Full-time job while guiding her twin fifth-grade sons in distance learning.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Susan is a professional violinist who plays with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra. With cancellation of the symphony's concerts, Susan started playing lovely concerts for neighbors. She has performed 17 times (socially distanced, of course) in neighborhoods in Herndon and North Reston. She uses the opportunity to collect donations to LINK, our local food pantry.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
Susan thinks constantly of how she can make this world a better place for her family, friends, and neighbors.

Also see ...

• Local Hero: LINK Continues Vital Mission Of Feeding The Hungry
• Local Hero Delivers Health Care With A Smile
• Herndon's Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• RCC Staff Goes Above And Beyond During Coronavirus: Reston Heroes
• Herndon Mother Cares For Coronavirus Patients: Local Hero