Kathryn Ansley: Retired after thirty years of teaching at Big Spring School District. Enjoying traveling to Scandinavian countries including St. Petersburg, Russia, Alaska, bus trips and enjoying her grand children.

Valerie (Bailey) Collins, 4-08 catsa.horizons@msn.com

Gary Dupre, 10/07: "Since 1989, I have been teaching band in the public schools. I was a band director for over a decade, but am now teaching in a "Talented Music Program" where I teach advanced students all day long. Basically, it's like having a private or collegiate studio, but in the public schools. Childhood friend Jerome Theriot (SOA 83) teaches in same program in the same school district. Many of our students go on to study music as a career. One of my students recently tested out of all college freshman theory, ear training and class piano. It is a wonderful program, and I am proud to be a part of it. The year I started teaching (1989), I got married to Angela Fuller, a fellow band member in the Univ. of Louisiana (at Lafayette) band. Most importantly, on 11/20/99, my wife Angela and I, after over 10 years of marriage, had our first child, Jonathan Dupre', after four previous miscarriages. We have since had two more boys, (Kyle and Ethan) and finally in 2007 our first daughter, Sarabeth. She was born with a foot abnormaility that has been corrected with six castings, two surgeries, and braces. She will function normally by the time she is 2 years old, and should have no issues with this as she grows. Continued success in future SOA adventures. I cherish my memories of that summer. Previous info: Was the webmaster of the Louisiana Music Educators Assoc. (affiliate of MENC)." gdupre@tpsd.org

Hank Feldman, 5-03: MORE UPDATED INFO on the Distinguished Alumni pages. He and his wife, Marie, have 2 children, Samantha, 8 and Nicholas, 4. "I'm the President of the F.A.M.E. Foundation (Fostering Arts-Mind Education) a non profit Education Foundation that I founded in 2000. We have an Early Childhood Partnership and a K - 12 partnership. Next year we're expanding our services to include Ohio, Arizona, Southern California, Puerto Rico, and Oregon."

He was previously Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Tuba & Euphonium at the Univ. of Arizona ('92-'97). His ensembles performed by invitation at the 1996 International BrassFest in Long Beach, CA and the '97 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Riva del Garda, Italy. He was also involved with the Symphonia Tuba-Euphonium Workshop at Interlochen Center for the Arts, MI for high school, amateur and college performers.

He was a featured jazz soloist at the '98 Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference held in Washington DC. Hank was also featured as both a classical and jazz soloist at the '99 Conference in Sydney, Australia. His first solo CD is called "Tubesia". Hank is featured on our Special Alumni Page.

Fred Fox: Attended Frostburg State Univ, MD for his BS and Univ of MD, College Park for his MBA. Working for People Soft Corp., Bethesda, MD. Married Shari Stirmer 11-2000 and spent honeymoon in Paris.

Susan Freeland: Teaching middle school music/band in Charlottesville, VA. Married and had first child, Emma in early 2008.

Peter Gilbert: Still living in the Adirondack Mountains in northern NY; happily married to wife, Bobbi Jo; has 3 beautiful children, Tiffany, 10; Joshua, 6:, Krystal, 4. Both he and wife work for the NY State Dept of Corrections. He'll continue as a Civil War Re-enactor, as well as teaching Civil War history to schools and organizations throughout northern NY. Would love to hear from other '83 SOA tour members.

Rich Haddad: Can't believe it's been 17 years since he went on the SOA tour!

Douglas Johnson, 4/04: "Good Day, I am Douglas Johnson, A Tenor in 1983 Tour. Since the tour in "83" finished a Bachelors degree in Marketing. I have made a career in Newspaper and Commercial Printing. Recently I was given the position of Commercial Printing Sales Manager with TR Printing near Greensburg, PA. In 1986 I married my wife Lisa and had two beautiful daughters Lizabeth and Lindsey. Then in 2001 my wife died of Cancer. Life has changed dramatically but now I am back to singing and using my singing voice for the Lord. I am one of the original members and founders of our local Community Chorus. Of course sing in the church choir. Also my daughters and I have a music ministry and travel around to different churches in Western PA sharing the music that was given to us. Now I am a big supporter of the cancer society { Let's find a cure }  Good luck in future tours. What good and wonderful memories of the tour in 83. Thank you for the opportunity so many years ago.
Douglas Johnson  PA " mayordag@zoominternet.net  {or} djohnson@tribweb.com

Doug Kerr: He's a graduate of Princeton University, and received both his MD and PhD degrees from Jefferson Medical College. He then completed an internship in internal medicine and a neurology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is currently a Neurologist, Assistant Professor Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Co-director of the John HopkinsTransverse Myelitis Center.

He was interviewed this July by Katie Couric on the TODAY SHOW talking about stem cells and their application to human neurologic disease. For more info: http://www.neuro.jhmi.edu/profiles/Kerr.html

Robert Killen, 10-05: "Has it really been over 20 years??! The SOA tour was a defining moment in my life and I greatly cherish the memory. I went on to study music composition, put it to fabulous use pursuing fine art, and eventually landed on Commercial Banking in Bend, OR. I have a wonderful wife, Carey, and three young boys (5-3-1), and have been fortunate to travel more since '83. Before kids, my wife and I went to Europe several times (GAPP Exchange, Post-grad work, and fun) and spent six months on a Fulbright to Chile (Carey is a Spanish teacher). I have enjoyed a fairly adventurous life, that began with those three weeks in 1983. Thank you SOA!!

I also want to post an apology here, in case she ever passes this way... To Rusty, I broke a confidence with you so many years ago which I have never been able to let go. My humblest, humblest apologies. You deserved better. I hope life has treated you with the magic you brought to us! Take care all!" robert@mistweave.net

Rob King: After studying music at Berkely College of Music in Boston, Rob received his Master's of Music at Manhattan School of Music. He then was hired as a musician for Carnival Cruise Lines. He became orchestra leader and eventually in charge of all musical acts on one of Carnival Cruise Lines's ships. More recently, he has been based in Miami recruiting and auditioning musicians for Carnival Cruise Lines's musical entertainment department.

Tommy Kochel: He is a college instructor of English as a Second Language and English composition at Harrisburg Area Community College in Lancaster, PA, and at Penn State in York, PA. For a plethora of informative tidbits, check out http://homepage.mac.com/mewzette/TommyWorld/tommy.html

Jane Lacy-Johansen, 4/03: Her husband, Ron and she have been active in the Youth for Understanding foreign exchange program and have hosted two students from Germany! They will go to visit both boys and their amazing families this July/August. It will be her first time back to Europe since the '83 tour and it will be great to see how much Germany has changed. They will also visit Belgium and Denmark while there. She left her job as a computer programmer to start her Home Interiors & Gifts business! I really enjoy the people and the products. My husband just started a new job with Ameritrade about two months ago. He tried his hand at day trading last year and they (She) decided it would be better for him to lose someone else's money for a change!!

NEW: Hosted a Lancer Hockey player and another German. Back to Germany for 34 days in 2002. Visited Berlin and Frieburg. Had a great time. Check out my volunteer website at
www.midlandspettherapy.com or www.homeinteriors.com/JaneLacyJohansen Hope everyone is doing well! jais4nu@cox.net

Susan (Ladubec) Ruggiere, 2-04: "I still very fondly remember my SOA trip 1983.  I lived in Connecticut and California before coming full circle and returning to Weyauwega to raise my family.  I met my husband in Garden Grove, California and we moved back to Wisconsin in 1989.  We have one son, Vincent, born in October 1991.  I am a full-time paramedic working at the local hospital in the emergency department.  I also volunteer for the local ambulance service.  Vincent plans to play professional baseball for a living, (Ahhhhh, young dreams) so I let him follow that dream and I nurture it in any way that I can.  So, before he can play MLB for the Cubs I get to watch him play my favorite sport all summer long.  I will let you know when you can watch him on WGN as a Cub rookie.  :-)" vinone@charter.net

Chris McKee: Chris has toured with SOA for many years as a staff member and bus leader. He is married to Erika (Durst) McKee, who served as accompanist for SOA for several years. Now they three boys. Chris still plays trumpet, toured as featured soloist on the '91 SOA tour and worked for Educational Travel Experiences, and for Sound of America.

Cheryl Nelson Thompson, 1-05: "I was a soprano from the little town of St. Edward, Nebraska, who LOVED her weeks in Europe back in 1983.  Married Rick Thompson in 1984, and we have 3 children.  Completed my BME at the University of Nebraska, and moved to Corning, Iowa, where I taught grades 5-12 Vocal Music.  Rick is Herdsman in charge of all breeding at Loonan Stock Farm. As of this school year, I am now teaching at Atlantic Middle School, in Atlantic, Iowa, grades 6-8 Choirs. 
 
I have thought about my tour many times, but I had a student bring me a recomendation form the other day, and all the memories came flooding back to me!!
 
If you remember me, I'd love to hear from you----via email!! cthompson@atlantic.k12.ia.us"

Michael Rovno, 9/04: "Horn player/Magician/singer alum from 1983 & 1985 married 9/19/1999 to Judy Haskins Now living south of Las Vegas in Laughlin, Nevada. I am working at the Edgewater Hotel/Casino in Laughlin, NV as a Casino Host, but I am still doing magic shows, singing in Barbershop groups (China 2001 and Panama Canal 2004) and playing the horn for fun when I can.UPDATE: Judy and I are now living in Fort Mohave, AZ but are still close to Laughlin and Las Vegas, NV. We went to the Panama Canal with a Barbershop Chorus in April 2004 and I toured with the American Barbershop Chorus to China in 2001. Judy is selling new homes (judysellshomes.net) and I am still doing magic shows when I can and working as a executive host at the Edgewater Hotel/Casino in Laughlin. magicalevents@ureach.com

Scott Steen: See more updated information on Distinguished Alumni pagesI was the 1st chair Trumpeter in the 1983 SOA band. For the last 9 years, I have been with the Royal Crown Revue swing band from Los Angeles. I've been fortunate enough to have traveled the world over and over, appeared in "The Mask" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", performed with Bette Midler, Brian Setzer, Kiss, and headlined the Hollywood Bowl. I still fondly remember my time with SOA and it initially gave me a taste of touring, all though most of my 200 shows a year have been spent sleeping on a tour bus on on a 15 hour plane rides, the experience also gave me the need to visit Europe as frequently as possible. ssteen1@socal.rr.com see www.scottsteen.com Scott toured with Bette Midler as the solo trumpet player on her "Kiss My Brass Tour"!

Sheryll Strobeck, 11-03: "After many years of working dead-end jobs, I decided to go back to school for my masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I am currently finishing my last year. I am doing an internship at Rouses Point Elementary School in New York and will have another internship for the spring semester. I think about my times with SOA and have very fond memories. Europe is calling my name, but it will be a little while before I can get there. Graduation comes first. Hope you all are well. Take care. strobeck@capital.net

Carol Waltermyer: Still living in Annville, PA.

Tom Wiggins, 3/07: "Still living in California working as a smog technician and Harley Davidson Technician." tomwiggins@sbcglobal.net

last updated 4-18-08, tlb