Meet your neighbor Barbara O’Brien! Barbara is a symphony musician who travels to perform with the Renaissance City Winds, Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet based in Pennsylvania, the Wheeling Symphony based in West Virginia, and the Akron Symphony based in Ohio.

She has lived in Unity Township since March of last year and says she enjoys the local community.

“I love living in a beautiful, mountainous and peaceful environment but still having everything conveniently located,” Barbara says.

As she works in three states, she is often busy traveling and loves to visit historical landmarks in every city she visits. When she is home, Barbara enjoys going to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Pittsburgh Zoo, the National Aviary and local museums. Her favorite local restaurants include The Gray Goose and Vallozzi’s. 

“I spend a great deal of time with my siblings, their children and their grandchildren,” Barbara says. “We like to go to Phipps Conservatory, the Pittsburgh Zoo and museums all around the Pittsburgh area.”

Barbara plays her flute and sings for weddings, at wineries and at events for fun as well. Photography is one of her hobbies, and she likes taking photos of people, nature and birds. She also has two pets named Benji and Lester.

Formerly, Barbara worked as a flute instructor with the Norwin Band for 32 years, teaching both privately and during preparations for marching shows during football season. She currently volunteers her time to help raise money for the orchestras she plays with. 

Barbara says reading others’ stories is what she likes the most about Stroll Laurel View.

“It lets me get to know my neighbors and their interests,” she says.