You grew up in a very music-oriented family. Do you remember the very first song you learned to sing as a child?
I remember the first song that I learned to sing in harmony at age five- I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. It was a praise song from my parents' house church.
How many instruments do you play? Was piano first? Cello?
I started playing piano in first grade, guitar in third and cello in fourth. I took my mother's dulcimer with me to college and that is when I got interested in Old Time Appalachian and American music.
When you and your siblings were growing up, you all played stringed instruments, correct? How did that happen and when did you start performing together? Did you ever argue over music?
There were four of us in five and a half years, so we had a group close in age and ability. Since I had chosen cello and Ben and Jenny chose violin, my youngest sister, Katie, was kind of pressured into viola, so by the time I was in high school we had a string quartet. We played at weddings and even at the grand opening of the Food Store. Yes, we fought a lot when we played music, mostly because my little brother thought he should be in charge as first violin and I thought a cello should be the boss for once.
What instruments do your daughters play? Do they like to sing?
My daughters play a lot of instruments, especially my youngest, Sara, who loves to practice piano, flute, saxophone, penny whistle, guitar and ukulele. She and her friend have enjoyed playing at the Bluffton Farmers Market . I find it tempting to pressure them to play certain instruments or styles, but I have found they really have to come to a sense of music on their own. If they like the music they get motivated.
We sing all the time, both together and alone and sometimes we even sing the same song all at once! We have a lot of fun singing and make it loud and playful, but I think both my girls are still shy about singing on their own. I always loved singing in harmony with my siblings, and now when I sing in parts with my daughters it gives me so much joy.
Share some stories about growing up in Bluffton. What stands out as most important? Did (do) you have a mentor?
Musically one of my favorite stories is when I showed up for a piano lesson at about age 8 and my teacher wasn't there. Fred Steiner was left as the only one who could teach my lesson. So, he patiently taught me one piano lesson- I believe it was the first and last one he ever taught! I think the most important thing I learned from Bluffton was singing in church. I grew up performing in church, and I was brave enough to do it because my mother would tell me, "look out at the congregation- everyone there is loving you, so you don't have to be afraid." My mentors were always my music teachers- Eloise Caskey, Carol Kaufman, Johanna Schmidt, Annette Hilty, Bob Clemmons and and my first guitar teacher Peter Diller.
What is your favorite beverage at Common Grounds?
Double Cappuccino - (almost no milk, lots of foam)
Weren't you in the flag corps in the BHS band? Now your daughter is field commander. How has the band changed since the 80s?
I certainly was a proud flag girl for four years. I can't believe you remembered that! I think it really helped me get more coordinated. I loved the band then and I love it now. There is such a great spirit among the kids. Even though my girls make fun of my 80s flag outfits, I think things are very much the same. The field commander position is a hard job and it usually involves lots of drama- then and now! I really enjoy seeing band people from my generation as their kids carry on the tradition. Mark and Julie Yoder were awesome trumpet players and now David plays trombone and Rachel will be junior field commander. Deb and Wynter Wise was/are both flag girls.
What else were you involved with in high school? Did you paint your name on the street?
I was involved with a lot of different clubs and activities. I joined everything I could. Back when I was a senior it was still illegal to paint your name, so when the cops came by you just had to drop your paint and run. I managed to paint a picture of a cello before I had to split and hide under some bushes.
What influenced your decision to attend college in Canada? Is that where you met your husband?
I didn't really think about the college being in another country, but it was a Mennonite school with a peace and justice emphasis and I felt very comfortable there. I did meet Andy at Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ontario, and it turns out that the international atmosphere of our relationship has been great for our family.
Tell me about your job. Do you work from home?
Yes, I work part time on my computer, one of those great jobs where I could live anywhere and have a virtual office. I organize medical meetings for physicians to get continued education.
Are you still a Girl Scout leader? How did you get involved in that? What do you hope that your troop members will take away from their years as Scouts?
I still have a Girl Scout troop, many of the same girls I have had since they were in second grade. The only reason I started is because my daughter wanted to join and there was no other mom willing to be the leader. Over time I became really committed to the mission of Girl Scouts as well as the wonderful young people in my troop. What I want more for them is that they will remember the feeling of being supported by other women as they challenge themselves to be the best people they can be. Right now we are working together to raise money to travel to Costa Rica for a service trip.
Tell me about some of your other activities. Music, justice, etc.
I guess I'm still a "joiner" like in high school because I like to be involved with lots of projects and initiatives such as the Sesquicentennial Committee and Bluffton's Fair Trade Town Task Force. I like to work for things I believe in.
I organize many live music events, some at First Mennonite, Tu Pueblo, local festivals and the Town Hall Concert Series. However, what I would like to do is to perform more often myself! I've just made a website to try to get more gigs: www.mennofolksonggirl.webs.com.
What is your favorite movie? Why?
Right now I'm really in to a movie called "Across the Universe." It is a musical with creative arrangements of Beatles music put into the context of the political atmosphere of the 60s, kind of surreal. Other than that, my all-time favorite is "Mama Mia."
Who is the most famous person you've met? Who would like to meet?
I've met Pete Seeger! I'd love to have tea with Joan Baez ... or Beyonce.
If you had a vanity plate, what would it say?
Wendy-Bird (from Peter Pan)
If you got a tattoo, what would it be? Or...do you already have one?
I definitely will not get a tattoo, but my husband is planning to get a tree tattooed on top of his hand. I think that's really cool.
How does it feel having a daughter participate in the state track meet? Nervous, excited, proud?
I'm so proud of all the Bluffton kids running at State this weekend! I know they have worked very hard; Hannah has been remarkably focused on her running and training. I don't feel at all nervous because I know that when she is on that starting line she is at her happiest, and that she will enjoy the honor and thrill of the race no matter what happens.
