Ilona Ahearn

Ilona found her love of music as a baby due to her parents nonstop playing of it and constant motivation to make it part of life! She chose to pursue music for life and landed at University of The Arts studying Opera and getting her Masters in Music Education, some of the best years of life! During college she worked at the famous opera restaurant "The Victor Café" in Philadelphia where she also developed her love of food and wine. Ilona then moved to NYC and was on the opening staff of Michael White's first restaurant Fiamma, a BRGUEST restaurant, which received three stars from the NY times and one Michelin Star. Ilona then got the opportunity to go sing Opera in Rome, Italy for a few years with New Opera Festival di Roma. She also held the position of the main cantor at the one and only American Catholic Church of Rome “Santa Suzanna” and performed numerous wedding at the Vatican. She took this chance to study Italian food and wine and met all of her favorite wine producers! Upon her return to NYC, she performed in numerous shows all while opening restaurants for tops chef and corporations. She then got the role as “The Opera Cat” and “Jellylorum” in the National Tour of Cat’s. After that she returned to Philadelphia to do “Les Miserable” at the Walnut Street Theater as well as a 4 woman show called Motherhood the Musical. Ilona then headed back to NYC and joined the opening of 54 Below as the General Manager and Beverage Director bringing them to be the number one Cabaret Restaurant in the city and stayed party of the team for 2 1/2 years!! She is thrilled to be back in Philadelphia, and to now call this her permanent home.