H. Ray Van Dyke (AS ’75) had a prose piece titled “Jesus is Winsome” published in the Betty Cummins Starr-Joyal book, “Today’s Great Poets.” His wife, Ann K. Werner Van Dyke (C ’68), also has a poem titled “Summer Love” in the book. In June, Ann and Ray’s daughter, Julie Van Dyke, will be performing with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chorus at DAR Constitution Hall during the annual DAR Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.
Former guitar faculty Michael DeLalla (C ’82, C ’86) created an original composition for a video trailer promoting, “Lullaby Road,” the latest novel by author James Anderson. When producing the music for the trailer, Delalla reached out to a few Shenandoah alumni and faculty; Jim Baird (C ’79, C ’84), Craig Matovich (C ’81, C ’84) and N. Scott Robinson to play on the composition. (Pictured to the right.)
William Dye’s (C ’82) show, “Songs from the Soul” was performed at The Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn as part of the Acts of Faith Festival in Henrico County, Virginia. Dye wanted to bring awareness to the musical contributions of African Americans with his show.
Mischa Kischkum (C ’86) is the information services’ learning management administrator and technology training coordinator at WilmerHale in New York, New York.
In July 2017, Robin Lenor Higginbotham (C ’90) was the choreographer of “Beauty and The Beast” for Shenandoah Summer Musical Theatre. She was also the director and choreographer of “Shrek The Musical” for Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, in spring 2017.
On February 17, Laura Carrasco-Curintzita (C ’98, C ’99) performed at the 12th International Festival of Organ and Ancient Music of Oaxaca in Oaxaca, Mexico.
In February, Jonathan Noyalas (AS ’01), along with Shenandoah University students and volunteers, worked on documenting, mapping and identifying potential slave burial sites at Mount Zion Cemetery, a long-forgotten African-American cemetery in Middletown, Virginia. The group identified nearly 100 slave burial sites.
On Feb. 11, Cantus Singers and Shenandoah Chorus, under the direction of Professor of Choral Conducting and Choral Music Karen Keating (C ’02), D.M.A., and accompanied by Dan Miller, performed a Broadway Valentine’s concert at First Presbyterian Church in Winchester, Virginia. An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed arrangements of musical numbers from a variety of Broadway shows. Keating also served as the clinician and conductor of the District XIV All-District High School Women’s Chorus in February. The festival was held at Millbrook High School in Winchester, Virginia.
In 2017, Timothy Scott Ross (C ’03) was one of the leads in “Rock of Ages.” Ross is currently a songwriter and sound designer. Ross also plays guitar and provides vocals for his band, Bourbon & Bliss.
On Jan. 23, Chair of Vocal/Choral Division and Associate Professor of Voice (Tenor) Byron Jones (C ’04), D.M.A., took a group of Shenandoah Conservatory voice students and a graduate student pianist to perform two shows at the Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. The group was invited by John Krumich, lower school chorus teacher, and Michael Hughes (C ’93), chair of fine and performing arts and a Shenandoah University alumnus (Master of Music in conducting). This visit was presented as part of a school-wide unit on Italy and featured three events: one performance for approximately 250 kindergarten through eighth grade students, a second with approximately 25 ninth through 12th grade students, and a workshop with the cast of the school’s production of “Sweeney Todd.”
After teaching anatomy and physiology at a medical school, Benjamin Willard (AS ’04) wanted to do more while continuing to teach others. This led Willard to his current position as a financial advisor for Mutual of Omaha in Boynton Beach, Florida. At Mutual of Omaha, Willard is able to use his teaching ability to teach individuals, families and business owners how to plan and protect their financial future. (Pictured to the left.)
Elizabeth Eckert-Ross (C ’05) is the founder and artistic director for Faux Reel Studios. Eckert-Ross has created original productions that have been featured in various 2017 film festivals, like The Sparrow Film Project 14, The Portland Comedy Film Festival, and the Iron Mule Comedy Short Festival. Faux Reels’ production, “The Re-Renaissance” received the Audience Choice at The Sparrow Film Project and “Prepared (Preparing for Audition Season)” won Best Music Video at The Portland Comedy Film Festival.
Tara White McDonald (HP ’07) is a behavioral health charge nurse at West Virginia University’s East University Hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia. McDonald specializes in drug and ETOH detox and various mental health diagnosis.
Sarah Green Donahue (AS ’08, PT ’10) and Brett Donahue (B ’09, B ’10) welcomed their son, Jack, into the world at 1:53 a.m. on Feb. 26. Baby Jack weighed four pounds, 15 ounces and was 18 inches long. (Pictured to the right.)
After nine years of dating, Jessica Lorion Haugh (C ’08) married Kevin Martinez Rivera in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 16, 2017. Many alumni attended the wedding including Erin Regan Adams (C ’09), Michael Enright (C ’09), Jessica Bowers Moran (C ’09) and Jessie Hooker Bailey (C ’10), who were in Haugh’s bridal party. (Pictured to the left.)
Mary Frances Ahern Coleman (C ’09, C ’15) is assistant professor of music industry and director of the voice and choral program at Francis Marion University (FMU) in Florence, South Carolina. On March 13, Coleman joined The FMU Concert Band for a show at the Performing Arts Center. The program featured Coleman’s vocal renditions of “Let It Go” from Frozen, “Moon River” and “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables.
In March, Sarah Nale (C ’09) starred in the lead role of Catherine in ACT 2 Theatre Company’s play, “The Last Five Years” at the McCrory Marketplace Great Hall in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Erika Dawn Conaway (C ’11) is playing the role of Tricia in the musical, “A Chorus Line” at Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, New York.
After touring eleven countries in the original conception of “MAMMA MIA!”, Schyler Conaway (C ’11) is returning to do a fresh new version on the musical at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida, and the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ron de Jager (C ’11) was the vocal adjudicator for the 60th annual Weyburn Rotary Music Festival at the T.C. Douglas Centre and Cugnet Centre in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
In February, Shenandoah sweethearts Joey Moray (C ’11) and Kelly Kantner Moray (C ’09) directed the musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the Genesius Theatre’s production in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Jenny Ravitz (C ’11) works as a casting director at NBC and had the pleasure of hiring Shenandoah alumna Liz Fraser (C ’16) as her assistant.
Johnny Baird (C ’12) is a music supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Line and is a music director, arranger and orchestrator in New York City, New York.
Brianna Lynn Galligan (C ’12) has been traveling the world with various cruise lines including Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.
Tamara Young (C ’12) has co-starring roles on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and the Netflix original series, “The Good Cop.”
Nathan Walker Huntley (C ’14) will wed Jackie Nguyen on April 21, 2018. The couples’ not-so-traditional engagement photos went viral and were picked up for a story by the Huffington Post. The two dressed as their favorite dynamic duos from classic movies, such as The Wet Bandits, Marv and Harry, from “Home Alone”; Marty McFly and Doc Brown from “Back To The Future”; Miranda Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire from “Mrs. Doubtfire”; and many more. In 2017, Huntley also appeared in three commercials for HP, PNC and Drake’s Cakes.
In February, Kelani Bailey (B ’16) and her racquetball partner, Sharon Jackson, won first place in the Women’s Doubles USA Team Qualifying division and first place in the Mixed Open Doubles division during the 2018 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona. With these wins, the pair made the USA Racquetball National Team for doubles and have the opportunity to compete at the 2018 World Championships in Haining City, Zhejiang Province, China, in August. Bailey also won second place in the Women’s Singles USA Team Qualifying division at the championships. (Pictured to the right.)
Dylan Derflinger (AS ’16) proposed to Carolyn Taylor (AS ’14) on March 3, at the Skyline Soccerplex in Front Royal, Virginia. While playing around with light painting, Derflinger wrote Taylor the very special message, “Marry me?” After Derflinger wrote the message, he ran over and stood next to Taylor so they could see what the photo looked like together. Once it appeared on the camera, Derflinger got down on one knee with a ring and proposed. (Pictured to the left.)
Marcus Jenkins (B ’16) and George Cluster (B ’17) are group account managers for the Frederick Keys, a Triple-A affiliate for the Baltimore Orioles.
Frankie Ramirez (C ’16) is the executive assistant/coordinator to Jennifer McNamara, senior vice president of casting for NBC.
Patrick Rose (C ’16) is a performer for Celebrity Cruises, and is on their Infinity ship.
In 2017, Kelsee Sweigard (C ’16) was a lead female singer for Holland America Line, traveling and performing in several areas around the world. Sweigard has also been performing solo guitar gigs in New York City and Pennsylvania.
Esteban “Stevie” Bovo (C ’17) was a swing performer with Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia
In Memoriam
Harry R. Bowers (C ’46) of Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed away on Oct. 10, 2017. Bowers graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1944, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He was considered by many to be the best athlete ever to graduate from Harrisonburg High School. After graduating high school, Bowers enlisted in the Army and was a veteran of overseas duty during World War II. In 1946, he was discharged and attended Shenandoah College in Dayton, Virginia, playing basketball and baseball. He then went on to graduate from Bridgewater College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Bowers took his first coaching position in 1957 at Broadway High School, later becoming the head basketball coach at his alma mater Harrisonburg High School. In 1966, he became the first athletic director for Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department, retiring in 1981. Bowers is in the Hall of Fame at Harrisonburg High School, Bridgewater College and Broadway High School, where he will always be known for being a great athlete, great coach, and a person with a great character. Bowers is survived by his wife, Betty Dovel Bowers; two stepsons, Charles Stover and Douglas Stover; and several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
Louise Swank Detamore (AS ’47) of Staunton, Virginia, passed away on Dec. 10, 2017.
Elizabeth Brown Crosby (C ’52) of Staunton, Virginia, passed away on Feb. 7, 2018. Crosby studied at Augusta County Public Schools in Augusta County, Virginia, and received a Junior College Diploma from Shenandoah in 1952. She was a faithful member of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Staunton, Virginia. Crosby was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she lived a life of generosity and devotion to others. All who knew her were enriched by her kindness and gentle nature. She is survived by her son, Harry H. Crosby; two daughters, Barbara Crosby Damico and Nancy Crosby Preston; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Phillip E. McDonald (C ’60) of Waynesboro, Virginia, passed away on Feb. 20, 2018. After graduating from Elkton High School in Elkton, Virginia, McDonald attended Augusta Military Academy and Shenandoah College. He also served his country as a United States marine. McDonald worked for General Electric/Genicom for 35 years before retiring. McDonald is survived by his wife, Lorinda Lee Bean; son, Stacy A. McDonald; daughter, Amy E. McDonald; two grandsons, Ryan McDonald and Riley McDonald; sister Beverly Via; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Lorri Ann Robinson (B ’95) of Strasburg, Virginia, passed away on Feb. 23, 2018. Robinson was an employee of Selma Medical Associates in Winchester, Virginia. She lived life to the fullest, she loved reading, camping, bonfires, cook-outs and traveling. Robinson often attended concerts, baseball and football games and was always up for a good time. She is survived by her son, Aaron Mullins; her mother, Carolyn Asjodi and step-father, Mike; sister Kristi Fernandez; brothers, John Tranum, Jr. and Jeffry Tranum; as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.