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David Arrivée: David is currently Director of the Cal-Ply Symphony and assistant professor at the college. He has participated as a pianist in the Schumann Duos Program at The Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Study, England, and as a conducting fellow at Tanglewood. He currently served as the Asst. Conductor of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, IL. He taught Music Theory at Northwestern University, Chicago and was active as a chamber musician. He often serves as a guest conductor of orchestras, such as the California Central Coast Section Honor Orchestra.

David received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his M.M. degree in orchestral conducting from Boston University. He received his doctorate in orchestral conducting at Northwestern University, and wrote a dissertation on the use of other arts in educational concerts. He had served as the assistant conductor for the Boston University Symphony Orchestra and the March Chapel Choir of Boston University, and conducted the Auros Ensemble for New Music. In Leipzig, Germany, he served as a pianist and conductor for the Schola Cantorum.

Cindy Bane, 3/04: "I'm now on the psychology faculty at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA.  I just had some maintenance work done on my French horn, and I hope to start playing it again soon (it's been two years)! Previous info: Married in October, 1999 and currently an assistant professor of psychology at Denison University in Granville, OH. I'm living in Columbus, just minutes away from Karen (Robohm) Haff--in fact, I just saw her and her two darling children this morning! I STILL have my tour uniform!" cynthia.bane@wartburg.edu

Kimberly (Brown) Reetz, 2-09: "YIKES! Found out I'm going to be a grandmother. My 19 yr old daughter Courtney is pregnant. Isn't there a law against being a grandma at 50. I still feel like I'm 29! Her due date is sometime Feb-March 2015. A good way to look at it is that now I will get that revenge on watching her daughter treat mom as Courtney treated me. Whahahahaha. " Previous submission : "1987-2008: I got married, divorced, married, divorced, had a kid (not necessarily in that order). My 13-yr old daughter did not inherit my desire or passion for singing; however, she is a brilliantly gifted shopper and can spend money faster than a hemi-demi-semiquaver on steroids! She does have the fingers of a concert pianist. I believe that gift was developed and nurtured by her devotion to typing at least 5000 text messages a week and spending a gazillion hours a day on Myspace! We moved from Las Vegas to San Francisco in 2002, largely because I felt it would be a better environment to raise a daughter. After banging my head against the wall of my outrageously over-priced house for 6 years, it dawned on me that working 18 hours a day, 7 days a week; 363 days a year was seriously restricting the amount of time I had to do anything important in raising a child. Therefore, we moved a little bit north of Santa Barbara last summer, and I said goodbye to a 17-year career in Human Resources, and to the stability, comfort, structure, sense of purpose and great medical plan that corporate life offers. I'm getting a strong feeling that this was the smartest move I've ever made. My career is now a hodge-podge of things. When people ask what I do, my answer is I work from home. I haven't had to create a pivot table or sit through a boring conference call (without stabbing myself) in over 8 months! And I'm still alive! My personal life is low-key. I'm still single, but more dedicated to a wonderful man than I ever was to either of my ex-husbands. Neither of us wants to walk down the aisle again (but never say never). Everything I learned from 1987-2008 can be summarized in one sentance: "If you want to make God laugh, tell him what you're going to do tomorrow". kdreetz@yahoo.com

Lee Buckalew, 10-08: "SOA was one of the truly life changing times of my life. It helped me grow as a musician and to really begin on a track of live and recorded sound production that I continue to this day.

In June of 2005 I started my own company, Pro Sound Advice. I provide professional sound system design, consultation and training services. I also provide free lance recording engineering services for The Pan Galactic Company, the company which has the recording contract for St. Louis Symphony and others. We were very fortunate this year (2008) to be able to assist with the recording of the U.S. premier, in St. Louis, of John Adams "Dr. Atomic Symphony" and then follow that up this fall with the John Adams "Guide to Strange Places". These will be released together next year (2009) on the Nonesuch record label.

I continue to teach as an adjunct faculty member at Webster University in St. Louis. I teach in the School of Electronic Media and in the Conservatory of Theatre Arts.

I was married in July of 1993 (one week after getting back from SOA) to my beautiful wife Mary. We have four children, LeighAnna (11), Marissa (9), Jesse (7) and Larkyn (almost 2). We live about 35 miles outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

I'd love to hear from folks from any of the years I was fortunate enough to tour with SOA"

Previous: I designed the very first Martin Audio Miniature Line Array sound system in the United States.   I have also continued to dabble in lighting design.  A team of three other gentlemen and myself produced an event for the world premiere of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Baileys "WIZARD OF OZ ON ICE".  It was called "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and as a part of this event we lit the Gateway Arch in St. Louis as a rainbow.  It was the first time that it had succesfully been lit.  We won the highest award that the international Illuminating Engineering Society gives for outdoor architectural illumination.  The Paul Waterbury Award.  This was the only time that it has been awarded for a temporary installation. It was awarded to us "with distinction".  This was a very special honor as this award is not given every year but only when work sufficiently worthy of merit is presented and then it is not always given "with distinction". I designed the sound systems and staging layouts for each year of the St. Louis Blues Heritage Festival, a jazz and blues festival second only to the New Orleans festival in size in the U.S." lee.buckalew@prosoundadvice.us

Christy Coleman Deitchman, 5/05: "Thrilled to announce the birth of my first child, Jonathan. He is absolutely amazing and I love staying at home and experiencing every precious moment! Everyone keeps saying that he will be sure to play an instrument because of his long fingers....I am keeping my fingers crossed for a future SOA participant! Also, last summer I was able to get together with Karen Young and Carol Kershner! We had a wonderful few days together reminicing as well as creating new memories!" christylyn@hotmail.com

Rose Connett Dunphey: Married to Scott Dunphey 6-24-00. They're living in Monument, CO. She taught choir at Lewis Palmer HS, Monument, CO. She just had her first child, Leah, in September 2001.

Gertrude Coleman, grandmother of Christy Coleman Deitchman, who was a chaperone on the 1986 tour passed away in June 2000. She very much enjoyed the trip and we reminiced about it often. - submitted by Christy.

Richard DeBadts: "Currently living and working in Buffalo, NY at Shea's Performing Arts Center as the Sr. Production Manager. Shea's is a great 3,100 seat Vaudeville-style theatre built in the mid-1920's. We have just recently completed a total backstage renovation/expansion leaving us with the best of the old and the best of the new.

When I'm not working I spend as much time as possible sailing --- either racing or cruising, and sometimes the occasional boat delivery.

It's great to see the names of so many who have come back to leave updates. And Karla...remember, you memorized our names as "Lee-Eric-Rich" (as long as we were standing in the right order you always got our names right!)

I am planning on being there for the 2001 Bon Voyage concert---hope
to see some familiar faces." rdebadts@yahoo.com

Kathy Holmes: Likes the website and hopes that SOA will still be alive and well by the time her kids are old enough to travel (in about 10-15 years!).

"The SOA trip of 1986 was a great highlight in my life. Unfortunately while moving around the county, I have lost touch with all the friends that I had made on the tour. I still think of my trip often and my daughter loves to look through my photo album of the trip and listen to my stories that coincide with the photo." Living in Rockville, MD. Kathy.Holmes@getronics.com

William (Skip) Houston, 4-11: "I am very happy to see that everyone is doing so well. As for myself I am married and have two daughters and two grandsons and two black labs. I'm still singing and playing guitar in one of the best little rock bands around! Of course 3 part harmony is a must. I enjoyed being with all of you during the SOA tour and often think back to the times we all had. Feel free to email or contact via face book. Please include SOA in your friend requests." skippydo1@gmail.com

Rob Huschen, 4/06: I just happend onto this site and was excited to see it!  I have a ton of memories and miss you all.  I have 3 daughters and Megan, Katie and Haley.  I give up on the boys!  Live here in Morton IL the home town of my wife Renee.  Dont hesitate to call or email it would knock my socks off! rhuschen@farmersagent.com

Carol Kerschner: Working for Amtrak. There's something about a train that's magic. Enjoying Washington, D.C. I was unbelievably thrilled to become reacquainted with Karen Young. Going to Eqypt with my brother in November 2001.
Very very fond memories of SOA in '86, and welcome back, Mr. Shaw.

James Lee, 12-08: "Currently on active duty (Commander) at the Naval Academy. Recently returned from a deployment in Iraq. It's good to see and hear from many SOA friends and I'm glad to see it still going strong! These memories will last a lifetime! leejames2@yahoo.com

Karl Liester, 12/10: "I have been married to my wife, Jacki, for 14 years and have two sons ages 7 and 9. We recently built a house near my hometown of Garretson, South Dakota. I have been working as a Geotechnical Engineer for American Technical Services in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During the move to our new home last April, I came accross the pictures and music from SOA 86. The memories are some that I will always cherish." kliester@ats-sd.com

Eric Martin: Married 10/98 to Teri, and now has 2 step sons, Seth & Ethan, 11 & 9; moved to Perkaisie Philadelphia area, PA spring '99. They had their first baby together 5/26/99, Isabell Louis Victoria Martin. Eric has come to all the SOA Bon Voyage concert reunions since '86, except two.

Adria Miller Kujak: Since the last newsletter, she's joined a community choir called the "Viking Park Singers!" They' give 4 concerts this year. She and her husband took a trip to Italy & Switzerland this summer, with help from Lyn Barr - they even got to hear the 2000 SOA Chorus in St. Mark's, Venice. Living in Gurnee, IL.

Trish Miller: Continues to run a small business - Artistry Unltd, painting mostly clothing and other textiles. Living in Kimball, SD. arthytm@midstatesd.net

Bob Moore: "I am still the 9-12 principal here and have settled into Manhattan, MT quite well. My wife Kerri is teaching in a neighboring community. Michael is 9 now and Savannah is 3 . I am involved in the Montana secondary principals organization and have been the president of the group for the last year. It has been fun as it has enabled me to travel around the U.S. for a variety of meetings and events. bmoore@manhattan.k12.mt.us

Shannon Pfeiffer, 2-09: spfeiffe@temple.edu

Juliet Potter, 8/05; "Life is flying by! I have been with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation as an Economist and Research Associate for 6 years now. I now hold a BS in Economics, an MS in Applied Economics, and am almost at the dissertation stage of my PhD now. I will tackle the issue of community exhaustion of intellectual property right within the European Union in the parallel trade of pharmacueticals. I know, I know, enough to put everyone to sleep! My husband Jeff is doing great. He is a very busy exec for NCR. My son Jack just turned 4 and we await a baby in April! Life is busy but great. Write if you get a chance. :)"

Previous: Was married 3/12/2000; Living in Fairborn, OH. Julie recently had her first baby, Jack! japotter@ameritech.net

Scott Prescott: Completed Masters Degree in Music Ed. from Univ of Michigan, spring 2000; bought first house and first child is on the way 11/2000. Living in Grand Blanc, MI. skprescott@earthlink.net

Karen (Robohm) Haff, 5/04: "Still lives in Columbus, Ohio and just had her third child, Nathan.  Also has Charlie (3yrs.) and Becca (2yrs.).  She loves being a stay-at-home mom!" khaff@msn.com

Sheryl Rodenburg Jordan: "Hi everyone! It's so great to see that many people have written! I married Douglas Jordan, who is my very best friend, in 1992 and we have one child together. He is 7 years old. I am back working at the family bakery where I was working at the time of the tour. Can't seem to keep my hands out of the dough...lol! I would love to hear from those that remember me." paradox_found@excite.com

Beth (Schave) Moeller, 2/04 : "I currently live in Duluth Minnesota with my husband Henry and our 6 children ages 10 and under:) I have continued to sing whenever time allows. I am so thankful and feel truely blessed to have had toured with SOA the summer of 86." moellers@cpinternet.com

Lisa Snead Wooten: 6/10: "I live in Guyton Ga. right outside of Savannah. I have been married for 20 yrs. and have 4 beautiful boys. Tyler 17, Austin would have been 16, Cullen 15, and Christian 13. I am first a stay at home Mom that teaches spin and strength training at the YMCA. I am also a personal trainer. We have 30 acres of land with horses and chickens and a donkey. Plus cats. Life is wonderful!!!" wootens@planters.net

Karla Stahl-Orehek: "Hi to everyone! I miss you all! I have lots of news to update. I have seven girls now! All are healthy and beautiful! All would make you smile! I have recently moved to Lake Ariel, Pa. Still the middle of nowhere. Click on my E-mail and send a note. Love to hear from you. God bless!" hewillalwaysbewithme@hotmail.com

Tina Stixrude: Tina was married on the 10-12-02. "We actually met in Cape Town where I've been for the past two years. He was a Marine Guard at the Consulate and I was the Consular Officer. Pretty remarkable that one might have to go half-way around the world to meet the love of one's life, but I'm not complaining one bit.

Well, I'd better get back to work, but thanks for keeping in touch with all of us. I doubt that there is a single one of us who doesn't look back on our SOA tour recalling it as one of the happiest times of our lives. I know that I do, and that acknowledgement has particular meaning coming from a Foreign Service Officer who has traveled abroad extensively and has had so many other exciting adventures since that wonderful experience 16 years ago. SOA gave us the keys to the world and in many cases, as hokey as it sounds, helped to shape our destiny. I, for one, will always be grateful for that."

Kathi (Taylor) Noblin, 12-08 "I was 14 when I traveled with SOA in 1986. I cannot believe it has been over 22 years. I now have a daughter that just turned 14, a son that will be 11 in Feb., and have been married for over 15 years. My daughter loves music and sports. She is primary chair in her 8th grade band, playing the Alto Sax. I have not thought about SOA for quite some time, then my daughter said her Band teacher nominated her for an honors band and she started asking me about some of the Choirs I was in. It really brought back some great memories. There are 4 people I remember the most, Jill, Amy, Lee and Scott. I hope you are all doing great!!!! " kathi.noblin@verizon.net

Dan Tomassone: Married and has a child. He and his wife worked for North American Music Festivals (in the same office as SOA).

Karen Young: Have become reacquainted with Carol Kirschner. We're living across the river from each other and are now best friends. When we saw each other again, after 13 years, we pulled out all our pictures and listened to the tapes and exchanged all our memories. I've been jumping through hoops for over a year trying to buy some land and build a house. Hopefully it will happen in the summer of 2001. karenyoung@erols.com

Michele Zehr Acebo: "I so enjoy my newsletter. It's nice to hear about everyone's accomplishments and good news. I've been a self-employed CPA since September of 1998, and I love it. I still sing with the Fairport United Methodist Church choir which gives me continued peace and joy." More recently, "I want to thank you for all your hard work in keeping us all informed. I look forward to reading next year's news on the web. The SOA website is great! It's been a year of changes for my husband, Juan, and I. This May we adopted our son, Noah, from Bogota, Colombia. It was a wonderful experience and Noah has truly been a blessing. Juan continues to work at Xerox's research and development dept. I've been self-employed now for two years, and I enjoy the flexibility. I still enjoy singing in the church choir, and I look forward to teaching Noah my favorite songs. God's blessings to everyone from the 1986 SOA tour." acebo@worldspy.net

 last updated 10-6-14, tlb