The Couples | The Guys | The Girls
Guys' Bios
Lamar Kauffman, Guest Conductor -- New York, NY
I grew up in Lancaster, PA, and graduated from Millersville University with a BSEd in Math. I then taught math and music at Faith Mennonite High School for seven years, followed by three years of graduate work in choral conducting at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. After graduation in the spring of 2004, I moved to New York City. I am currently living in Manhattan and teaching math at an inner-city school in Harlem (70% black, 30% Hispanic, mostly low-income students). It's been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life so far, but I love it!! I'm also doing quite a bit of singing in my "free" (??!) time - I sing with a Manhattan-based a cappella chamber ensemble, have done several gigs with a professional ensemble composed of Westminster alumni, and also with a professional quartet. As you can tell, there are three things in life that make me supremely happy: math, music, and teaching (the order of preference changes daily). Conducting combines all three of those, which would explain the supremely supreme joy I get from doing it, and why it's just as exciting and rewarding as it was when I started 17 years ago.
Joshua B. Good -- Brooklyn, NY
I am a child of the KING by grace. I have the blessing of a wife (Tonya J. Yoder) and son (Jackson B. Good). I teach American History to 11th graders...(Russian, Polish, Turkish, Jewish, Greek, Indian, Asian, Carribean, African, mid-eastern, Albanian, Kazaks, whites, Irish, and basically any ethnicity you can think of). Musically, I like anything that is not anti-God and is done well...Ralph Stanley-Jerry Garcia, Don Moen-Josh Redman, Bryn Terfel-Pavarotti, Cambridge Chorale-Tapestry =) etc. I have studied vocal performance, concentrating in solo work at Liberty University. I have sung lead roles in collegiate production operas like The Barber of Seville and La Boheme and professionally in Amahl and the Night Visitors. In 1998 and 1999 I participated in and won the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) collegiate vocal competition at both the State and Mid-Atlantic Regional levels. I sang in the Liberty University Chamber Choir through out my undergraduate experience. In 2001 I did some singing for professional radio commercials. I have also had the opportunity to sing with Voice Of Praise and the "other Josh." Currently I have lapsed from classically western forms of music and have enjoyed being part of the Praise and Woship team as a leader in Followers of Jesus Mennonite Church where we have utilize many different musical cultures to bring praise, glory and honor to God.
Mark Deiter -- Leola, PA
I am so excited about being a part of Tapestry this year! However, not too many years ago, something like this would have sounded boring to me because I didn't care for choral music or the human voice. Growing up I heard a mixture of Southern Gospel, Country and Contemporary music. However, around eight years of age I stumbled onto Classical music via public radio, and was instantly hooked. Never had anything sounded so beautiful. My parents encouraged this direction and even found concerts to attend. One year we went to hear the Messiah. That concert inspired me to play the organ, and I took up a campaign for lessons. Eventually my parents agreed to let me start lessons and classical music became my goal. I have enjoyed all types of instrumental music since then, mostly classical, but choral music to me was an inferior thing for people who couldn't play instruments. I had very little time for anything but instruments, and voices only if they were accompanied by instruments. Then I spent two and a half years at Faith Builders, employed in the bookstore, and participated in choir because it was the only musical activity I could find. I found I had woefully underestimated the power of the human voice and before I knew what happened it had sneaked into my soul and resistance was futile. I still listen to and play a lot of instrumental music, but I am utterly fascinated with the human voice, in awe of it, in fact. And now I teach music to elementary students at Weavertown and Fairhaven Christian schools. I enjoy puns and lame jokes and create and share them whenever possible. It seems a lot of musicians are also good punsters, so, perhaps we can keep each other groaning during tour.
Jonathan Miller -- Greenville, VA
I live in Greenville, VA with my wife Malinda and two children, Kristan (3) and Karl (9mo). I've been teaching at Pilgrim Christian School for the past eight years and am excited about teaching next year. My parents are Maynard and Shirley Miller. I grew up with five brothers and a sister. We lived on a small "McDonald farm" complete with a cow that Daddy (and sons) milked by hand, chickens, dogs, cats, and pigs. Early in my childhood we operated a chicken/egg operation for my Grandpa. Over the years I've gotten some experience in dairying and mechanics. If I wasn't teaching I would love to have a small engine repair shop. I feel fortunate to have grown up in a family that has enjoyed singing and to have had many people foster my love for music. My school teachers did a lot to interest me in singing, and more recently Faith Builders Chorale gave me a chance to expand my choral repertoire. Things I enjoy....I love to listen to and sing great music, to spend a quiet evening in the garden with my wife and family, to enjoy the beauty of nature (mountain trails, sunsets, birding), read poetry and other literature, and to teach. I am never happier (except when singing or conducting beautiful music) than when I am passionately teaching my favorite subject (at the moment I like to think of myself as an amateur history buff ) to an avid group of students.
Titus Barnhart -- Burke County, GA
Hey, this is Titus Barnhart making my debut with Tapestry. I was born and raised in Georgia and am proud to call it home. I enjoy singing and am familiar with the Good's from a few other singing opportunities including Mennonite Heritage Chorale and Mennonite Choral Singers last summer. My hands are often greasy as I work with my dad in a mechanic shop. We try to stick to farm equipment, but end up working on everything from weedeaters to bulldozers. Makes for a variety of problems and challenges. Recently, I, along with three other guys, started a quartet called Eternal Revenue. We're still working on expanding our repertoire and getting the feel of things. It's a lot of fun!!
Byran Smucker -- Harrisburg, OR
I am Byran Smucker, 22 years old, a nephew that would concur with Aunt Barb's hearty endorsement of Oregon. Until now, I have lived in that blessed state for all my life, the oldest son of Steve and Bonnie, and brother to five wonderful siblings. In March I graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. At present I'm working in Waynesboro, VA with a church called Believer's Fellowship as a short-term VSer. This fall I'll be starting graduate school at Penn State majoring in Statistics and Operations Research. How long I'll be there and what happens beyond that is still up in the air. But I have some ideas. Ask me about them sometime; I'll be glad to tell you about some of my dreams! By far my most formative musical experience was/is singing with the A Cappella Harmony Quartet (AHQ), which I began at the young age of 12. I had the incredible privilege of essentially growing up with three great guys, improving musically, growing spiritually, touring, recording, arguing, hanging out, and singing just for fun. We're officially "inactive": Bass is married with a child, Lead just married and lives in Indiana, Tenor is off hither and yon, Baritone's hanging out not wanting too much singing responsibility. And none of those slackers are coming on Tapestry this time around. I try to be understanding. I developed choral tastes first when I sang in an excellent chamber choir at Linn-Benton Community College. I had tons of fun singing with Tapestry the first time around. I've even had a little experience conducting, the most substantial of which happened at SMBI's 5th Term this year.
Eric Hershberger -- Stuarts Draft, VA
Hi, I'm Eric, and at 19 I'm the youngest in our family of five. God blessed my Dad with enough sense to buy a farm way back twenty-something years ago, and only recently I've really realized how fortunate I am to have grown up here. I love farming! Some other things I love: God (the SOURCE of all these wonderful things): nice music, stunning scenery in nature, enthusiastic people, good humor, fabulous music, bedtime at the end of a BUSY day, energizing conversations, hard work, absolutely gorgeous, out-of-this-world MUSIC!!! get it? I like music. I haven't done much composing, but really enjoy singing and conducting, as well as just listening to music, absorbing the rich beauty there. I find it refreshing in times of distress! Another life-giving aspect of music I've discovered is practicing my conducting skills (?) in front of a mirror while it's playing on the stereo. If you haven't tried it, you really need to!! Another life interest of mine - besides music - is teaching. I very much enjoy interaction with students, especially those in about 3rd to 6th grade. Ok, so I haven't had much experience teaching, but have immensely enjoyed the little bit God has blessed me with (things like VBS and taking care of the kids at prayer meetings). So where will I end up in life? A music prof, perhaps? Only God knows!! I choose to rest in that.
Dave Friesen -- Lititz, PA
I’m Dave, 22 years old, a Canadian, a matter-of-fact type of person, and third in a family of four children. I enjoy my position at Charity Ministries, where I supervise production, shipping, and also serve as digital audio engineer. I absolutely love music. Did I grow up in a singing family? Hardly. While the natural singing talent existed in all of us, it was never cultivated and hardly exercised. The background we came from, singing was done in unison, and much of it was slow and mournful. With a couple exceptions I might add; my first two years of schooling were in the public school system. My teachers evidently thought I had some talent, and both years assigned me to solos for the annual Class Program. In kindergarten it was I Love You, Lord; grade one wasn’t quite as inspiring – Cindy the Centipede. I was introduced to harmony at age 16. With a new heart and a new song, I enthusiastically applied myself to learning music and found it incredibly rewarding. The learning experience has been an adventure and enjoyable. I have spent two years with a local youth chorus, Joyful Hearts, and have also participated in Mennonite Heritage Chorale. I love singing in men’s groups, and especially quartets! Voices of Praise is another group I sang with, though not to be confused with Voice of Praise. I have a passion for composing, arranging, conducting, playing the piano, and recording. Yes, I’m dreaming, but fully expect at least some of it to come true! I also have a strong conviction that music can touch, change and inspire lives for the glory of God. With this as a purpose, I eagerly anticipate Tap ’05 and can hardly wait to sing with you all!
Benjamin Good -- South Boston, VA
My past music experience is rather full of singing. Interesting? Makes sense. You've probably heard from the rest of my family that we always have sung a lot together. So my dad taught me how to sing, but I attribute my training in choral music and voice to John H. Miller. I've sung under quite a few directors in my few years, but two especially stand out in my mind. The one needs no introduction to the group -- I have high regards for Lamar as a director! The other who has influenced me in conducting in a huge way -- Kenneth Nafzinger from EMU. I, as an aspiring conductor, hold him as my personal "idol" as a conductor. Simply put, what he wants to hear from you sounds mighty good and he knows just what to do to make you sing it that way! He's easy to sing WELL under. Now on to some more about ME! I am becoming more and more convinced that God wants me to spend a big part of my life encouraging people through music. I have done a little directing, the largest of my responsibilities has been working with the 2005 3rd term SMBI choir and taking them on tour. What a break-in experience! That little bit proved to me that I want more of it! I've also been very privileged to be involved in a number of choirs in lands other than the US. Two of those have been in Europe! One in Poland last summer, the other one basically just finished up -- we were in five different countries in Western Europe. It definitely was a highlight of my music life! I currently work as a mechanic at a local lawn and garden center dealing in Simplicity, Great Dane, and Hustler lawn equipment.
Joe Miller -- Stuarts Draft, VA
I am a resident of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia! I claim that with a great deal of pride. Where I live we have a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are maybe 7-8 miles distant. Some of my hobbies involving the mountains are: exploring the wildernesses, hiking, trail riding in the mountains on horseback, hunting on the harsh and unforgiving steep mountainsides, spending an afternoon alone with God on top of a mountain peak or beside a stream, going four wheel driving on the mountain trails, and picking huckle berries in rattlesnake infested territory during the late summer months. And yeah, I would have to admit that I'm just enough of a redneck to enjoy a good time ripping around with a fourwheel drive in mud or snow. :-) Music has been a big part of my life ever since I was a little boy. I always loved singing and even as an adolescent it was not something I was shy about. My school teachers played a big role in developing my interest in music. Later, when I was at Faith Builders, Brandon Mullet gets a lot of credit for shaping my ability. I was born and raised on a greenhouse/nursery operation. Flowers are not one of my hobbies but I do enjoy seeing the beauty of a well kept flower garden. My responsibilities there for the past number of years have been mostly involving maintanance issues and delivery. I help in the retail area during the busy spring rush. Presently I am also helping to remodel a house my parents and I will be moving to.