Gina Masland is a 3-octave singer, jazz and classical pianist, and cabaret performer. She’s been the Musical Director for Summerstage at Leonia and the Players Guild of Leonia, as well as the Music Minister for both St. John’s RC Church and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Leonia. She grew up in Thailand and Spain and graduated from Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Chicago as a theater and music major. She and her late husband Tom, a reporter/editor for Newsweek, raised their three sons, Richard, Bobbie and James in Leonia and Capetown, South Africa. After her husband’s death in 2005, she and her sons moved back to Leonia. For the past three years, she’s directed cabaret singing workshops for the Players Guild. Her third cabaret show “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” will be held tomorrow night, December 2 at the Drill Hall Theater on Grand Avenue at 8 p.m.
Why did you spend your childhood in Thailand and Spain?
My father was an architect/engineer for the Civil Service so we moved around. I’ve kept in touch with many of my international schoolmates on Facebook.
Where did you start your musical career?
Chicago. I was the rehearsal pianist for the Lyric Opera, and the piano accompanist for the touring companies of Second City Improv Theater.
How did you meet your husband?
At Club Manhattan on Rush Street in Chicago. I was performing; he stopped in for a drink after work At the time, he was the Midwest Bureau Chief for the Philadelphia Inquirer. I was impressed by his adventurous personality and his Pulitzer; he was impressed with my performance. We married ? years later.
What brought you to Leonia?
Tom’s folks lived in Englewood. Growing up, he was always curious about Leonia. We bought an old house on Christie Heights Street.
Why did you leave?
In 1999, Tom was assigned to cover Africa for Newsweek, so we moved to Capetown, South Africa in 1999.
What do you most like about Leonia?
I’m very appreciative that I was able to make a living doing what I love—play piano, teach piano and singing, direct musical theater, direct choral groups, and perform—all in Leonia.
What was the most memorable volunteer project you’ve worked on in Leonia?
The kickoff New Year’s Eve celebration for Leonia’s Centennial. That was the year we first “lit up Leonia” with white lights. The night before there was a huge blizzard and four women on the Centennial Committee literally shoveled paths through Wood Park. It was a hoot! I also wrote a festive song about Leonia for the event, and over a hundred students from ACS and St. John’s sang it that night. “We love, love, love LEE oh nee A!”
If you could have any gig, what and where would it be?
Being musical director of an open-ended run of Summerstage at Leonia’s Grand Night for Singing, with the same cast and orchestra. It was a dream job the summer of 2010.
Who would you most like to sing a duet with?
Tony Bennett. Who wouldn’t?
Of all the places you’ve lived, which did you most enjoy?
Capetown, South Africa, because it’s the most beautiful place in the world! My sons were 6, 11, and 13 when we moved there, just great ages to have adventures.
Do you have an annual tradition?
Thirty-five years ago, Tom and his coworkers at the Inquirer began an annual pig roast on the eastern shore of Maryland. We’ve continued the tradition.
Do you have a favorite holiday?
Christmas!! I love to decorate and play Christmas songs on the piano.
What would you most like to see in Leonia?
I’d like to be served a martini in a Leonia restaurant. Right now I have to go to the Route 4 Diner. But I’m optimistic.
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