Cover Article | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photos courtesy of Windermere Photography
A Chance Meeting
Colin and Dena first met in high school on a double date—though not with each other. Attending different schools, the meeting seemed like a one-time coincidence; but fate had other plans. They unexpectedly crossed paths again at an all-day student leadership event. This time, the connection was undeniable. Still, both were in other relationships, and after graduation, they headed in different directions—Dena to Texas and Colin stayed in New Mexico for college—neither expecting their story to be far from over.
After her freshman year, Dena reflected on advice her father had shared about being intentional in dating, and one person came to her mind, Colin. Unsure of how to reach him, she called the guy from their double date. It didn’t take long for him to realize she wasn’t calling to catch up with him but to find Colin. As it turned out, Colin was in Florida for the Disney College Program, but with no way to contact him, Dena assumed that was the end of it. However, that friend contacted Colin, letting him know Dena had been asking about him. Intrigued, he found a way to reconnect through Dena’s brother, sparking a long-distance relationship built on letters and phone calls. The following summer, they began dating in person, and within three months, they were engaged.
After finishing their degrees, embracing the adventure of building a life together, Colin and Dena married and decided to put down roots in Central Florida. As they settled into married life, their greatest joy came with the arrival of their two children—Brady, now a freshman at Florida State University, and Claire, currently a junior at Olympia High School.
Composing a Career
Colin’s talent as a composer, song writer, orchestrator, and musician are unique and rare. He understands every instrument’s role in an orchestra, weaving together intricate harmonies and counterpoint with precision. His work requires more than just musical talent—it demands leadership, vision, and the skill to bring individual strengths into a cohesive whole. As a two-time Emmy nominee, his compositions have reached global audiences, blending classical tradition with modern innovation.
One of Colin's first opportunities in film composition came when he wrote music for The Flower, an animated short produced within Disney’s creative incubator. Though shelved for decades, the project recently resurfaced, and Colin was invited to complete what he had started. “It’s a God thing coming full circle,” he reflects. “The melodies I wrote back then will still be used, but now I can bring them to life with a full orchestra.”
Legendary Collaborations
Colin’s career has taken him to some of the most prestigious studios in the world. One notable project was composing for the Emmy-nominated documentary Woman in Motion, which chronicles Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols’s groundbreaking work in recruiting women and minorities into NASA’s space program. The score was mixed at Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas’s famed studio nestled in the hills outside of San Francisco, a highlight of Colin’s career.
Another significant moment was his contribution to the Billy Graham Library project in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he composed the score for a multi-screen film documenting Graham’s lifelong ministry. “It was an honor to work on something so meaningful,” he says.
His work has also connected him to musical icons such as Yanni. As an orchestrator, he helped shape the composer’s signature sound, blending classical and contemporary elements. Additionally, his work on Pre Fab!, a documentary about The Beatles’ early days took him to Liverpool, where he met Colin Hanton, the Beatles’ original drummer. “Meeting him was humbling—he had no regrets about leaving the band and truly believed everything happened as it was meant to.”
One of his proudest moments was composing Prendi I Miei Sogni, performed by Nathan Pacheco alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, which premiered at Carnegie Hall. His work with 8Dio Productions, a leader in digital orchestration, was groundbreaking and has helped shape the future of film scoring. The company’s virtual instruments have been used in scores for such notable films as Interstellar, Game of Thrones, The Flash, and Arrow, and have revolutionized how composers bring their ideas to life.
Carnegie Hall
A Legacy of Music and Meaning
Despite Colin’s career spanning major productions and collaborations, he remains grounded in the personal moments. Whether shaking hands with a U.S. president or helping Beatles drummer Colin Hanton change a lightbulb in his home, he finds meaning in every experience. “Every documentary allows me to connect with people in a profound way,” he shares. “It’s those small, human experiences that stay with you.”
Finding Home and Giving Back
While Colin pursued his musical career, Dena built a successful marketing and public relations profession. After living in MetroWest and Dr. Phillips, their move to Windermere was about more than just finding a house—it was about finding a community.
Dena first discovered Windermere while hosting a joint birthday party for Brady’s fifth birthday. “The party was at Palmer Park—still one of my favorites—and it was one of our first real introductions to the town,” she recalls. Soon after, they attended another children’s party in The Manors, where they experienced more of Windermere’s small-town charm. That experience solidified their love for the community, and within a few months, the O’Malleys made Windermere their home.
For the O’Malleys, Windermere was more than just a place to live—it was a community where they could connect, contribute, and make a difference. Dena quickly became involved, volunteering at school and participating in local events. Her involvement has increased over time, and she now serves as the chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Committee, a vital part of the town.
The Parks and Recreation Committee is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the town’s parks, beaches, walking trails, and recreational facilities, ensuring these spaces remain accessible and enjoyable for all residents. The committee also oversees key events that unite the community, including the beloved Run Among the Lakes, which Dena co-chairs alongside her friend and neighbor, Sue Ann Reichard. This annual race is one of Windermere’s most cherished traditions, drawing participants from across the world.
Additionally, the committee organizes various recreational programs and seasonal events, such as the Halloween Hayride & Costume Parade and PetFest (on hiatus this year because of all of the Centennial events). As part of Windermere’s Centennial celebration, Dena and her team have spearheaded the Legacy Bench Program, a project that honors the town’s history while enhancing its public spaces. Dena’s leadership and dedication to Windermere have enriched the town, fostered a stronger sense of community, and ensured that its outdoor spaces and events thrive.
A Unique Bond
The teenage years are often a time when mothers and daughters grow apart, but for Dena and Claire, it’s the opposite—they cherish each other’s company and the time they spend together.
One of their strongest connections is through the National Charity League (NCL), which fosters mother-daughter relationships through philanthropy. As founding members of the NCL Central Florida Orange Blossom chapter, Dena and Claire have dedicated their time to causes like Second Harvest Food Bank, Special Olympics, and Give Kids the World.
Among the many causes they support, Orlando Rabbit Care and Adoption (ORCA) holds a special place in their hearts. Unlike traditional shelters, rabbit rescues rely solely on volunteers and donations, yet their NCL chapter had no animal-related philanthropy. Recognizing this gap, Claire and Dena worked to integrate ORCA into the organization’s service opportunities, allowing other mother-daughter teams to help care for and find homes for abandoned rabbits.
Their dedication goes beyond hands-on volunteering. Dena and Claire now speak at library events and adoption initiatives, educating the community on responsible rabbit care. Their passion for the cause is deeply personal—Bella, their rescue bunny, is a beloved part of the family, making their work with ORCA even more meaningful. Through their shared commitment, Dena and Claire continue to strengthen their bond while leaving a lasting impact on the community.
The Future: A Life of Purpose
As they look ahead, Colin and Dena remain devoted to their core values: faith, family, and community. Colin continues composing and collaborating, while Dena stays deeply engaged in Windermere’s initiatives. When Brady left for FSU this past fall, his absence was bittersweet, but it deepened their appreciation for the time they share. Together, they embrace life’s simple joys—treasuring every moment that brings them together.
The O’Malley’s success isn’t just measured in accolades or career milestones but in the lives touched and the community strengthened. Through music and service, the O’Malleys have composed a life that is as harmonious as it is inspiring.
Duel Maestros
By Jocklyn Mundy | Photos courtesy of the O’Malleys
Colin O'Malley, President George HW Bush, and Major General Derek O'Malley
Identical twins Colin and Derek O’Malley have always shared a bond defined by creativity and humor. Though their paths led them to vastly different careers, both have achieved extraordinary success. While Colin found his calling in music, composing grand symphonies that stir audiences to their core, Derek built a distinguished career as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Despite their differing professions, one unforgettable evening brought them together in a way neither could have anticipated.
One of the defining moments in Colin’s career came with the performance of The Pilot’s Hymn, a symphony he composed as a tribute to American aviators, inspired in part by his twin brother, Derek. More than just a musical composition, the symphony was a homage to the courage, sacrifice, and unyielding spirit of those who take to the skies to defend their country.
The event was held at Hard Rock Live, drawing an audience of distinguished guests, including President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. Recognizing the extraordinary story of twin brothers—one a composer, the other a pilot—the U.S. Air Force orchestrated a dramatic arrival: Derek would pilot an F-16 to the event, flying alongside his wing commander—a fitting prelude to an evening dedicated to both music and service.
The audience was riveted throughout the performance. As the symphony reached its final crescendo, the crowd erupted in applause. The Bushes were visibly moved by the emotion of the moment, and with tears in their eyes, they rose to join the standing ovation.
As the applause echoed through the hall, Colin invited Derek to join him on stage. The cheers intensified, celebrating not just the performance but the incredible journey of these two brothers. Then, in a moment of pure spontaneity, Colin handed Derek the conductor’s baton, challenging him to lead the orchestra. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Derek seized the moment with theatrical flair. As the orchestra began playing again, he conducted, with sweeping, exaggerated movements, sending the audience into fits of laughter. Even President Bush—a former naval aviator who had flown combat missions in World War II—was caught up in the moment, moved from tears to laughter.
From that night on, Derek’s fellow pilots had a new name for him—“Maestro”—a call sign that perfectly captured both his precision in the skies and his unforgettable moment at the podium.
That evening was more than just a performance; it was a fusion of two worlds—one of flight and precision, the other of melody and expression—woven together in a way only the O’Malley brothers could create. In that moment, music transcended its notes, becoming a universal language that honored both their callings and their unbreakable family bond.
