Sue Cunningham Music Rehearsal Hall

Please consider joining us at the CU-Mansfield Music Program as we honor the life and legacy of world class violinist and songwriter Susan E. Cunningham, PhD (1958 – 2015).

In collaboration with Sue’s longtime partner and Mansfield/Wellsboro area resident Frank Serio, we intend to honor Sue’s memory by naming the current band rehearsal room in Butler Hall as The Sue Cunningham Music Rehearsal Hall.  Proceeds from this fund will help provide direct student support scholarship opportunities, programming opportunities for the Mansfield music unit (guest artists, workshops, speakers), and access to physical resources including audio technology upgrades to the new Sue Cunningham Rehearsal Hall.  The Sue Cunningham Music Rehearsal Hall will ultimately amplify Sue’s artistic legacy through the accomplishments of a new generation of musicians at Mansfield. Spearheading this fundraising effort, Frank Serio has already committed $10,000 to the cause.

Thank you for your gift supporting The Sue Cunningham Music Rehearsal Hall at Mansfield!

BIOGRAPHY

Sue was a 1976 graduate of Churchill Area High School in Pittsburgh, Sue earned a BS in materials science and engineering from Cornell University; MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and MBA in Management (Sloan Fellows Program) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sue specialized in jet engines and worked as an engineer, manager and business developer for several companies. At Westinghouse Electric Company in Pittsburgh, she contributed to the materials design of fuel rods for nuclear power plants. At Pratt & Whitney in Florida and Connecticut, she led development of the F119 turbine module to successful incorporation, in flight testing and low rate initial production.

Sue grew up in a musical family, where her parents taught and encouraged all the kids to learn to play. The Cunningham family was recognized by the Amateur Music Conference as the ‘Annual Amateur Music Making Family of the Year 1973’ and appeared on the television show "To Tell the Truth". She was a classically trained violinist, and played in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. She then turned her focus to her love of bluegrass music and performed with brothers Tom and Steve as the Flying Cunningham’s from 1981 – 1988. Her brothers lovingly referred to Sue as “the nuclear fiddler”, or “Flying Sue Cunningham”. Sue was awarded the Florida State Fiddle Championship four times between 1991 and 1995 while performing with the South Ocean String Band through the end of the 90s. She then formed the Hickory Project in 2000 with local musicians from the Mansfield/Wellsboro area which toured all around the United States as well as Australia, Ireland, and Europe. And all along the way, she often performed and recorded with many acclaimed musicians including, Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, Marty Balin, and Jim Lauderdale to name a few.

She co-developed and produced the bluegrass and acoustic music festival originally known as “Music in The Mountains” which began in 2002. “Hickory Fest”, a nationally recognized music festival, brought the best in bluegrass and acoustic music to Tioga County, promoting tourism and boosting the local economy. With generous help from her family and friends, she produced Hickory Fest for 13 years, with performances from world-class musicians, singers, and songwriters.

Sue touched the hearts of everyone she met with her wonderful music and kind, loving spirit. Sue was and continues to be an inspiration to us all.