Joe Howard, Pianist  

Joe has a music degree in piano, a theological degree, has been a worship leader in several churches, and teaches music at Fremont high school, Sunnyvale, CA, where he has taught for decades.

Joe’s spontaneous and amazing arrangements were created as we recorded. They paint a beautiful montage as one song flows into another. I cannot thank Joe enough for the generosity of his time and his remarkable arrangements that added beauty and vibrance, quiet and richness to my songs.

It has been my joy and privilege to work together in two churches under Joe’s leadership—at Valley Church in Cupertino with his wife, Arlis, with the 4 & 5’s. Later, at Trinity Church, Sunnyvale, we led the music for the children’s church. In both churches he also accompanied me for vocal solos.

Singing solos with Joe is always a joy, as he moves under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You never know when he’ll change the key or do other fun things. Never a dull moment!

Trent Smith, Violinist

I was delighted and privileged to meet Trent at a Song Leading Conference at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in about 2010. I needed a vibrant violinist to play for CD #3. When I heard him playing his violin under the redwood trees, I knew he was the one. He reminded me of the violinist in “Fiddler on the Roof”. He stopped by my recording studio as he left the conference and in a few hours had completed all of his gorgeous recordings. Later, for CD#5, I traveled to his recording studio where we worked together for a day. What a joy to listen to him then. Every time I hear his recordings my heart soars. Thank you, so much, Trent, for being so generous with your time and gifts!

Trent is the worship pastor at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, CA. Trent playing the violin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA0SKFxkaJQ Christmas “Miraculum” by Brewster

Trent’s song “Glorious” vocal worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yewd9DSB9wM

Teresa Orozco-Petersen: Flutist

Teresa was a joy to work with. The combination of her classical and jazz/improv background gave her an incredible variety of melodic lines played in almost perfect pitch. She quickly picked up the flow of a song and enhanced it beautifully. Thank you, Teresa!

Written before 2011:   Flutist Teresa Orozco-Petersen’s expansive musical activities range from orchestral player and contractor, recording artist and studio musician, to director and founder of the chamber ensembles of “Ovation Music Productions”. As a teacher and mentor to over 80 young musicians she is now in her ninth year as conductor for the Avant Flute Choir of the San Jose Youth Symphony Organization.  As a contract musician she is currently 2nd flute and assistant principal of the Monterey Symphony since 1987, principal flute of New Music Works since 1992 while also regularly performing for the Carmel Bach Festival, and several other Bay Area orchestra and chamber ensembles.  Teresa also specializes in jazz and Latin music, and performs as a member of the 10-piece salsa band, Mambo Tropical and frequent guest of Orquesta Gitano, Havana Jazz, El Desayuno, KAWEH and The James Robinson Group.  

Her work with migrant education two years ago in Salinas was met with great success, teaching a K-8 music appreciation and choir class.  This experience opened the doors and lead to her current position as Junior Conservatory’s Music Appreciation and Theory instructor of the prestigious Valley Christian Schools in San Jose where she teaches 5th grade and coaches all flutes from the elementary level to high school.  Teresa also has her own private studio where she coaches some to of the most dedicated college bound flutist in the Bay Area.  Teresa has studied privately with Isabelle Chapuis-Starr, Maria Tamburrino, Barbara Breeden, Lloyd Gowen, Keith Underwood, Robert Stallman and has performed in master classes with Julius Baker, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Ransom Wilson, and James Galway.  

Current: Youtube account: https://www.youtube.com/user/torozco7/featured

David Sandwisch: Sound Engineer

“I started learning sound in Jr. High from the great mentors at my church. Throughout high school and college I continued to amass as much knowledge about sound as I could with an ever-present mindset on how I could use my gifts for God's glory. Since then I completed my bachelor’s degree in cinema from San Francisco State University.”  

David now works as a full-time audio engineer specializing in post-production for film/TV/commercials and corporate projects. He also does ·       sound on set (known as production sound) ·       records music ·       livestreams meetings ·       records voice-over on location ·       records and polishes podcasts ·       edits/mixes audio books ·       occasionally live sound and more.   

David is not a composer, though he records/edits and mixes music for others. His work is an interesting mix and varies a lot throughout the year. He’s done audio post for several documentaries that have gone on to do well in the festival circuit as well as independent feature films.  

“Please feel free to reach out.  I am always happy to evaluate and discuss potential projects. Whether you need audio post for a full surround sound feature film or documentary, corporate video polished, podcast cleaned up, interviews recorded while filming or any other audio needs, please contact me.”  

Here’s my IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2260088/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 My website: https://www.sandwischsound.com/ My reel (examples of work): https://www.sandwischsound.com/reel/  

David Sandwisch: daviddfc@pacbell.net

Amy Huemann : Vocal Coach

I loved working with Amy. She was fun, a terrific vocal coach, and became a friend. I brought the songs to her before I recorded them. She worked with me on phrasing, interpretation, expression, and focusing on one word in a line to emphasize. I would recommend her to anyone!

Written before 2011: Amy earned her Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis on choral music and vocal performance from Arizona State University on a full vocal scholarship. Upon graduating from the School of Music she received the Outstanding Music Education Student award. She went on to teach elementary music, then middle school and high school choir and music theater as she continued to study voice and play leading musical roles. She has been the director and music director for major musicals in several high schools and community youth theatres in the South Bay. She is a clinician for vocal workshops. Amy has received many accolades for her excellence as a teacher including Royal Palm Middle School Teacher of the Year in Arizona, Kennedy Middle School Teacher of the year award, the Cupertino Union School District Teacher of the Year award, and the Santa Clara County Teacher of the Year award. She maintains a current teaching credential.

http://www.amysenergy.org

Helen Foley: Vocals for Mary on This is the Time (Christmas duet with Elizabeth and Mary)

When I needed a teenager to sing the part of Mary for This is the Time, Helen volunteered. We had so much fun working together! We’ve continued to meet occasionally when Helen was home from UCSB (Santa Barbara) working very hard to complete 2 majors (English & Econ) in 4 years! She spent a semester abroad in France while a student there.

Helen organized music gigs in Bluegrass bands where she sang and played several instruments in high school and college, playing in various places throughout the USA and Europe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gaVyClAIXw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1pYPTrXhZg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGVEWIlIaWc

Helen loves the Lord, was involved in a Cru worship band at UCSB, and is active serving the Lord. She has high aspirations and hopes to complete her PhD at a leading university.

It will be fun to see where God leads Helen and the impact she will have on people and the world!