Wenonah to The World: John Hanifin & His Music
Written by Seth Stutman
Photos by Ivy Pohl
Sponsored by East Village Place
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors (September 2024)
“Longmeadow is such a beautiful town, there really is no other town like it. It holds a special place in my heart as I grew up here and I know I will always consider it my home, no matter where I end up.”
The Hanifin family’s roots in Longmeadow dates back to the 1800’s when the Hanifin’s had a farm down in what is now called “The Meadows” and a house on Longmeadow Street. The Hanifin’s have an old town map from the 1800’s where it shows his ancestor T.A Hanifin as a town resident. John’s grandfather, John Broderick a WWll tail gunner and NYPD Officer moved to Longmeadow in 1958. His grandmother, Elaine is now 95 years old & lives in Wilbraham, and was a model in NYC before moving to town. Also in Longmeadow is John’s uncle Casey along with his sister Alicia & nephew Jude.
John’s other grandfather, Don Hanifin owned Hanifin Designs. His wife Joan who recently passed and lived primarily between here and Florida loved to travel, host parties and support their grandchildren - John included! John’s mother, recently retired as coordinator of Interfaith Spiritual Life at Western New England University, met her husband at a party … under a piano … in the home where they ended up raising John. John’s father Don who was an extraordinary classical guitarist now operates his own company, D.H Retirement Solutions. Two centuries later, John is ready to leave his musical mark on Longmeadow - and the world stage.
The youngest Hanifin, John, grew up on Wenonah Rd, just a few steps from the Town Green, one of his favorite places in town.
“I have always been fascinated with colonial history so I have always loved walking around the town green and admiring all the homes that have been here for hundreds of years,” he said.
“If memory serves me correctly, one of the homes on the town green even housed George Washington for the night.”
Like many Longmeadow residents, the Hanifin family spans more than a century in town. Hanifin also remembers his childhood, ambling up and down the streets of Longmeadow, witnessing acts of neighborly kindness often.
“I love my neighbors, I’ll always remember as a child that everyone’s doors were open in case anyone needed anything they were missing for dinner. Our neighbors Ron & Janet Weiss have been there to support my music from the beginning."
During his time in Longmeadow, where he a ended and appreciated the opportunities in the Longmeadow Public Schools, Hanifin studied cello privately with Boris Kogan. Upon graduating high school, Hanifin earned a Bachelors & Master’s Degrees in Cello Performance from The Boston Conservatory & The Longy School of Music of Bard College. After graduation, John was fortunate enough to have traveled abroad for performances and teaching opportunities internationally, even having the opportunity to solo with the Principal Dancers of all the major Ballet Companies from around the globe.
As a cellist, composer and producer, John gets to travel! While in London filming music videos, his compositions entitled “Wenonah,” (the street in Longmeadow John grew up on) was also included in the Royal Academy Library. Hanifin recently returned from Brazil where he recorded ten new videos for his current project entitled “Justwo”, a group formed by John and Grammy Award winning guitarist and producer, Andre Cavalcante. John was also recently invited by former Longmeadow resident and renowned pianist Joel A. Martin, to join his projects for Komitas & others.
'This past year, most of my travels have brought me to South America. My first stay in Brazil I performed at the Municipal Theater of Sao Paolo and I also gave a masterclass to the Young Apprentices of the Lima Philharmonic in Peru. I also just developed a love affair with Nashville…not sure if the boots are for me but that hats are undeniably great. New York is always on the list most months but for any major holidays, I’d rather be here in Longmeadow.'
When he’s home, Hanifin owns a production company where he has produced for different artists internationally and film composers as well as maintaining a private online cello studio for private lessons.
“Teaching has and always will remain one of my greatest passions and I do think I picked that up from the legends I studied with here in the Longmeadow Public Schools Music Department. A grateful shout out to Denise Gendron, Kayla Werlin, Mike Smith, Peter Thompson & Michael Mucci.”
When the music stops, Hanifin spends his time woodworking and wrenching away on his 1983 Harley Davidson, Shovelhead - which he hopes to spend more time riding than fixing this fall.
Fixing is something that Hanifin does well, be it choppers or cellos - and if Longmeadow students studying cello or production want to further their study - his studio will reserve four slots just for you! That brand of kindness epitomizes Hanifin and the town he keeps finding himself coming back to.
“Anytime I show photos of our town to friends in those countries or others abroad they say it “looks like the American Dream.” Without the Longmeadow Public School System, I would not have continued with music. The fact that this town supports the schools the way it does and offers those students such a diverse curriculum makes Longmeadow unique in so many ways.”
