Robert J. Spiers, Jr. (C ’69) was chosen as correspondent of the day for the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) for the second time in 2020 for his article “Raceway, Godwin crews make graduation memorable.”
Thomas Wilkins (C ’78) was featured in an article in the New York Times where he shared insight on how Black artists can transform classical music. (Pictured to the left.)
Charlene Baughan Romano (C ’91) assumed her role as assistant secretary of the National Flute Association in July 2020. (Pictured to the right.)
Lisa Shimberg (HP ’93, ’05) was featured in The Arlington Connection (Alexandria, Virginia) for her flexibility with her physical therapy clients during the COVID-19 pandemic; she is offering virtual and socially-distanced appointments.
The “International Competition for Piano Composition, ‘Fidelio’” in Madrid, Spain, awarded Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal (C ’94) the second prize in the contemporary category for the composition “Obsidian,” and also second prize in the impressionistic category with the composition “Distant Waltz.” His pieces “Fantasy on the Irish theme ‘Rocky Road to Dublin’” and “Arrebato” were finalists in the impressionistic and contemporary categories. (Pictured to the left.)
Matt Conner (C ’97) was featured in The Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) for his work as a music teacher for Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, Virginia.
Karen Keating (C ’02) announced her retirement from Shenandoah Conservatory after 30 years of teaching. (Pictured to the right.)
Niki Fugett Wilson (B ’02, ’10) was named foundation director of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury.
James Coker (AS ’04, EL ’09) married Nikki Caswell on July 25, 2020. Nicholas Beck, Jr. (AS ’05), Sean Dare, Jr. (AS ’06) and Shannon Ferguson Petersen (B ’05) were in the wedding party. (Pictured to the left.)
Bronwen Landless (C ’04, ’13) co-presented “Combining the Rhythms of Nursing, Theatre, and Music Therapy in Training and Education Through Interprofessional Simulation Experiences” at the first online World Congress of Music Therapy hosted by South Africa on July 8-9, 2020. She also co-presented “#WorldMusicTherapyDay: Inspiring the Global Music Therapy Community.”
Patrick McCoy (C ’05) was featured on the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts‘ web series, “Candid Cadenzas.” (Pictured to the right.)
Christopher Reynolds (C ’05, ’07) gave a virtual pipe organ performance in the summer of 2020.
Aaron Dixon-Proctor (AS ’06) recently won a Capital Emmy Award for his directing efforts on “Nationals ganan la Serie Mundial,” which aired on Telemundo 44/WZDC and won in the category of Continuing Coverage – Within 24 Hours.
Tana Bartek Korpics (AS ’08) has served as the manager for public relations and communications and the spokeswoman for Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania since March 2018.
Robert Douglas (HP ’09) was featured in a Coach Spotlight in The Winchester Star for his work as the girls soccer coach for Millbrook High School in Winchester, Virginia.
Carl Rush (B ’09, B ’11, EL ’20) and Veronique Walker (EL ’13, ’14) co-led the “Anti-Racism And Equity Forum For Educators And Community Leaders” forum hosted by Shenandoah University on Aug. 5, 2020.
Erin Martin Bateman (HP ’10) recently joined the team at Marshall Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Huntington, West Virginia.
Max Losgar (C ’12), alongside other editors of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire magazines, published “This Is What Pride Looks Like in 2020” in Cosmopolitan and featured Shenandoah alumni Shana Sumers (C ’12), Frederica Dooley-Brown (C ’11, ’19), Holly Hale (C ’14), Elizabeth Wyld (C ’13), Emily Winokur (C ’12) and Darren Shin (C ’12).
Anna Knight Cooney (C ’13) began working as a program associate for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in Little Rock, Arkansas, in May 2020. (Pictured to the left.)
Kathleen MacKnight (N ’15) and her husband, Kyle Orndorff were married in April 2019 and are expecting a baby boy in December 2020. (Pictured to the right.)
Nolan Potts (EL ’15, AS ’15), Nick Goode (B ’18, ’19) and Darrell Thompson (AS ’16) were featured in an article titled “Shockers aiming to peak for the playoffs” that was published in The Northern Virginia Daily on July 29, 2020.
Emily Brode (HP ’18) has worked as an assistant athletic trainer for the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia, since July 2019.
Catalin Dima (C ’18) hosted a virtual piano concert on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at the fine arts recital hall at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.
Seth Lowery (C ’19) began working as an instructor of commercial music at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio in August 2020. (Pictured to the left.)
Brandon Nelson (HP ’19) has worked as an assistant athletic trainer for Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, since July 2019.
Kimberly Souther (C ’19) was named administrative director for the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Margaret Bullock (C ’20) will be teaching music at two Frederick County Public Schools in Frederick, Maryland, beginning this month. (Pictured to the right.)
In Memoriam
Ellen Shanko Bazzle (’44) passed away on Aug. 9, 2019.
Jeanne Pulleyn Ball (’43) passed away on Sept. 17, 2014.
Burnell Kessell Moore (’46) passed away on Jan. 29, 2019. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Fairmont, North Carolina, for 38 years; there she established the church library, food pantry and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She is survived by one son, two daughters, two grandsons and one great-grandson.
Boyd Skelton (’50) passed away on Jan. 9, 2019. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a long-time member of Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church in Mount Solon, Virginia, and worked for Virginia Power for 40 years. He was involved in many organizations and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by three daughters, two sons, 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Ann Amdursky Harp (’59) passed away on July 6, 2020. She was a dedicated member of Saint John’s Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Frederick Carwile (’62) passed away on July 12, 2020. He was a U.S. Army veteran, musician and worked for the Norfolk and Western Railroads for 30 years. He loved photography and bowling, he was even an instructor at Indian River Lanes in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, three sons, three grandchildren and two nephews. Rev.
Frank S. Douty (’62) passed away on July 18, 2020. He was the pastor at many churches in West Virginia throughout his years in ministry. He is survived by his wife, five children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Dorothy C. Hodgson (’71) passed away on Aug. 16, 2006.
Hilda T. Nelson (N ’76) passed away on July 31, 2020. She started her career at C&P Telephone Company in Winchester, Virginia, and was the first woman to hold many positions there. In her 40’s, she went back to school to become a Registered Nurse; she would later work at Winchester Medical Center. She was later a secretary for James Wood High School and volunteered for the American Red Cross. She is survived by her daughter and three grandchildren. Rev.
Anthony A. Wadsworth (AS ’78) passed away on July 8, 2020. During his time as a minister, he served at several churches, including congregations in Winchester, Frederick and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. He is survived by his sons, grandchildren, brother and two sisters.
William L. Dorman (AS ’79) passed away on Feb. 12, 2020.
Rev. Karl K. Tangeman (B ’79) passed away on July 21, 2020. Karl served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and received a Purple Heart. He would later earn several degrees from several different schools and become a United Methodist Minister; he served at many churches before his retirement, including ones in Mt. Jackson, Winchester and Stephenson, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, two children, two grandchildren, one great-grandson and several other beloved family members.
Margaret Brown Dearth (HP ’82) passed away on June 28, 2018. Mary Sickles Sonafelt (HP ’88) passed away on Jan. 27, 2016. She was a nurse at Winchester Medical Center and the Parish Nurse at Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church in Winchester, Virginia for 15 years, where she was also a member. She is survived by her son, two daughters, two brothers, a sister and three grandchildren.
David W. Browning (P ’01) passed away on Aug. 1, 2020. He worked as a pharmacist, but loved music, particularly jazz, and reading. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two sisters.