My father's daughter
Philomena has always loved music, but didn't know, until recently, that her musical talent had been handed down through generations.
"I've always had music within me. At primary school I'd equip my friends with guitars cut out from cornflake boxes with wool for strings, and I'd sing my latest composition of love and woe.
I was one of ten children and money didn't grow on trees but when I was 14, after weeks of odd jobs, I held my first real guitar in my arms, cradled it against me and sang my way through those teenage years.
At 18 I acquired the guitar that was to take me to the land of my birth - Ireland - and from there to France and then Greece, where I met my husband and where music, to quote Shakespeare, was 'the food of love'! Our children express this love through dance, song and a very large drum kit!
The power of music and rhythm became clear to me whilst teaching young adults with learning difficulties. They really taught me to move and to groove! Later the guitar became a tool for expression for children with challenging behaviour. To hear them sing could touch your heart and make you wish it could all come true.
Only recently did I discover that my dad had been renowned at festivals throughout Ireland in the 1940's and had played alongside great musicians. He's even performed on Radio Erin.
In 1954, when his first-born son Patrick died at the age of four and a half - my dad smashed his flute to pieces and threw it in the bin. I was ten days old.
I've always had music within me. Now I know it's in the blood."
Philomena Jordan-Patrikios
