Early Years
Ingrid Rosenback was born on October 24, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Aili Esther Ahonen Rosenback, was Finnish. Her father, Lars W. Rosenback, was Swedish/Finnish. Her sister, Barbara Ann Rosenback, was born on January 29, 1944.
The family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey, when Ingrid was age 2. Throughout her early life she spent a great deal of time outdoors and developed a lifetime love of nature, encouraged by her Scandinavian parents who believed children should experience and explore the natural world.
Education and Early Professional Life
Ingrid graduated from Haddon Township High School in New Jersey in 1968. In 1972 she received a BA in Biology from the University of Delaware, and in 1980 a BS in Pharmacy from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in Philadelphia. She worked as a retail pharmacist for 16 years at Thrift Drug and Pathmark Pharmacy. At age 45 she enrolled at Temple University in Philadelphia and received a Bachelor’s of Music in Violin Performance in 1999.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1972 Ingrid lived in Wilmington, Delaware, with her first husband, Younus Tabani, from Karachi, Pakistan. They divorced after nine years of marriage.
In 1990 Ingrid married John Brodsky, a doctor in family practice, and they live in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. They adopted two children, Miranda and Eric.
Miranda Nianxin Brodsky was born April 20, 2000 in Pingnan, Guangxi Province, China. Ingrid and John brought Miranda to the US with her at age 14 months. She grew up in Swarthmore and graduated from Strath Haven High School in 2018. Miranda began studying violin at age 5 and has become an accomplished violinist. She attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 2022. She works at General Motors in Detroit, Michigan as a manufacturing engineer.
Eric Thanh Brodsky, born April 5, 2002 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam arrived in the US at age 4 months and grew up in Swarthmore. He spent years on the local soccer team, the Sharks, and graduated from Strath Haven High School in 2020. He currently studies in the School of Social Work at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Musical Life
Ingrid began taking violin lessons in fourth grade and continued her studies through adulthood, often performing in orchestras and chamber music groups. After completing her music degree, she established a career as a violin teacher, teaching at Suburban Music School, the Music School of Delaware, Temple Music Prep and in her home studio.
In 2011, Ingrid attended an acoustic music song circle in Swarthmore and began to learn folk music, improvise on the violin and sing. She joined a folk music band, Whirled Peas, at the invitation of Jack Scott, a singer-songwriter, guitarist and banjoist, and in 2012 Jack and Ingrid launched the folk duo Last Chance.
Last Chance performs extensively throughout the Philadelphia area, appearing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival four times, and winning the Delmarva “Folk Hero Contest” in 2018. The duo records albums of original songs, many of which are regularly played on the radio. Ingrid learned to play harmonica to enrich the group’s sound. Through Last Chance, Ingrid found a niche that fits her skills and interests as a musician.
Other Interests
Ingrid’s many causes include Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Plan International and World Vision. Following the death of her sister Barbara, Ingrid became a member of Women for Women. Through this organization she found new sisters who would benefit from her commitment to provide education and career training to women who had suffered abuse and war.
In celebration of her Finnish and Swedish heritage, Ingrid joined the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia and became a valued volunteer in the auxiliary, helping and with special programs. She is excited to bring Last Chance to the museum regularly to perform traditional Swedish music at museum events, including the annual Lucia Festival and Midsommar celebrations.