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| S.O.U.L. Alumni Click HERE to see a world map identifying countries that have been represented by S.O.U.L. singers.
 Paddy McDonand- Australia, S.O.U.L. 2011
After S.O.U.L. 2011, Paddy spent a month in Europe improving his Italian skills, lapping up European culture, and making and visiting friends in Italy and Switzerland. Paddy has since returned to his studies in Politics, Sociology and Italian at the University of Melbourne, whilst studying and teaching voice part-time, playing the odd game of Quidditch, and getting involved in choirs and theatre around Melbourne and Victoria. He is extremely excited about introducing all the wonderful music he discovered during S.O.U.L. to Australian audiences, and would love to bring the tour 'Down Under' in the future. Whilst happy to be home, S.O.U.L. has definitely helped him catch the travel bug, and he can't wait to jump on another plane and visit the amazing people he met during the tour! E-mail: patrick.mcdonald@live.com
Sergio Martinez- Colombia, S.O.U.L. 2011
After singers of United Lands, Sergio Martinez returned to Colombia to complete his undergraduate degree in music with major in vocal performance and minors in piano and composition. He is currently a member of the opera choir of Colombia, and he is singing as a soloist in some opera productions in Bogotá. He is hoping to come back to the United States in order to start a Master´s Degree in Voice performance. E-mail: sams9102@yahoo.es  Kayla Stride- Conne River, Newfoundland, Canada, S.O.U.L. 2011
After S.O.U.L. 2011, Kayla Returned to her home town, Conne River Newfoundland, to start her summer employment before returning to University persuing her Ceramics Degree. S.O.U.L. helped Kayla develop the skill of working with Youth. And is now a counselor at "Camp 8 Summer Kids Program" and a supervisor at the Youth Center. In early Fall 2011, Kayla will return to Halifax, where she'll live with her partner and hope to offer Pottery classes to the public within her new home. The world seems a lot smaller after an experience such as S.O.U.L. S.O.U.L. truly changed my life for the better- I grew up fast, hard times and wonderful times. A time that I would never Change for the world.E-mail: kaylaandstride@hotmail.com
 Lulu Imbula- Zambia, S.O.U.L. 2011
After S.O.U.L., Lulu returned home to Lusaka, Zambia. She is still feeling so strange to be back in her own country after being exposed to so many luxuries in the States and Canada. She now works as a Music Teacher at Ngoma Dolce Music Academy in Lusaka where she teaches voice, music theory, piano for beginners and music for fun with kids. She is trying to live a quiet and happy life now and hopes to get married in the near future. She is also planning to take her music studies seriously and on a higher level.
 Benny Lumpkins- U.S.A. Tour Manager, S.O.U.L. 2011
Following the SOUL tour I returned to the Detroit area where I spent the summer learning how to be a Heating/Cooling technician for the Air National Guard. Immediately following that I began working as an on set costumer on the Disney big budgeted film, Oz the Great and Powerful. Soon after the wrapping of the film, I will be moving to LA to continue my career as a film costumer.
E-mail: blumpkinsjr@yahoo.com
 Brad LaPratt- U.S.A. Tour Manager, S.O.U.L. 2011
After finishing the 2011 S.O.U.L. tour Brad returned home to Chicago Illinois. Soon after he traveled to northern Michigan to reside with his extended family where he has enjoyed telling stories of the beauty of eastern Canada and the beautiful, hospitable, and unique people that reside there. Wonderful Memories! E-mail: bradlapratt@hotmail.com
 Steve Angia- Rapa Island, French Polynesia, S.O.U.L. 2010
After completing S.O.U.L. 2010, Steve began a four-month journey to get back home to Rapa Island from Michigan. This journey included stops in Dearborn, MI, Los Angeles, CA with "Le Polynesia Family " (a group of Hawaiian and Tahitian community members) and his aunt Marie, Tahiti Island (where he saw his eldest daughter Rangituku, then finally three months on the island of Tubuai (vacation with his girlfriend and other daughter AravaI) before returning to Rapa Island in December 2010. Since returning to Rapa, he has recorded and produced many songs and began a new song and dance festival for the mini RAPA Competition in December 2010. In January 2011 Steve was elected President of the Heiva Festival Association (NGATE KAIANU) and Artistic Director, Writer, Composer, for the competition Tahiti "Heiva 2011" in the Dance and Song category. Steve is preparing two musical tours in Tahiti in November and December 2011. He has managed to acquire internet access on Rapa (a very rare opportunity). And he will have third child in 2011... his first son named Tevarakura.
E-mail: steveangia@hotmail.com
 Zuleika "Zuly" Perez Mitchell, S.O.U.L. 2010
After the S.O.U.L. 2010 tour, Zuly found more than friendship in Niceville, Florida where she married Floridian Greg Mitchell. The two live with Buddy (their lovely Springer Spaniel) near Pensacola. Zuly is preparing to get a license as a Kindermusic Educator and Business Owner. She plans to work toward a Masters degree in Choral Conducting or Early Childhood Education. Zuly is grateful for her experiences with S.O.U.L. and of course misses her native Venezuela. E-mail: zuleikamitchell@gmail.com  Jackie Foisy- U.S.A. Tour Manager, S.O.U.L. 2010
In June 2011 Jackie landed her first “career” job at an interactive agency called PrizeLogic LLC (www.prizelogic.com) specializing in online promotions and digital marketing. Jackie is a Project Coordinator working as an account support team member. Her day to day includes working on concepts for new projects and clients, managing the administrative and fulfillment aspect of promotions and assisting the company’s legal team in working with primarily clients’ PR/marketing/advertising teams to ensure everything is done by the book! Jackie has enjoyed traveling (a lot!) for work this year and digging into to a new industry as she begins to build her career. Aside from work: Jackie now lives in Royal Oak, MI with friends and loves it! She has gotten back into running and soccer. Jackie completed the 2011 half marathon in Detroit in 2 hours flat – and plans to run both the Chicago and Detroit full marathons in 2012. Train, train, train – work, work, work and spend as much time as possible with family and friends = life in a nut shell…And of course keeping in touch with the SOUL 2010 team and missing them every day! E-mail: foisy1jj@cmich.edu  Rory Mendez- Chile, S.O.U.L. 2009
Rory's parents joined him on a vacation throughout the US after the completion of his tour. Upon returning to Chile, Rory will complete his diploma in music composition.
E-mail: rory_andres@hotmail.com  Corrine Towett- Kenya, S.O.U.L. 2009
Corrine returned to Kenya to complete her undergraduate degree in Music Performance. She is working at The International School of Kenya,The Braeburn School, and the Kenya Conservatore of Music teaching music and sharing her S.O.U.L. 2009 experiences. Corrine received a two-year scholarship to the University of Hamburg in Oldenburg, Germany to study Composition beginning in 2010. She has rejoined the Kachumbari Seven Band in Nairobi, The Nairobi Chamber Chorus and The Nairobi Loves Opera Group. She is now working on "Around the World in 80 minutes" featuring songs from all over the world, inspired by the S.O.U.L. 2009 as well as a Kenyan Pop Opera and a Kenyan Symphony which will feature instruments and musical characteristics from Kenya! She is also working to start off a S.O.U.L.-Kenya chapter!!!  Subi Kim- Korea, S.O.U.L. 2009
Subi recently graduated from Ewha Womans University in Seoul with a degree in vocal music performance. She currently sings in four choirs and is sololist in three of them. Subi also teaches private voices lessons She is continuing her English studies and hopes to travel again soon. In August 2010, Subi met S.O.U.L. 2006/07 singer, Masashi (Japan) in The Philippines where they worked together as part of the Asian Youth Choir. Masashi was conducting, and Subi was an invited soloist. E-mail: tnqdl@hotmail.com Mārtiņš Kiscenko- Latvia, S.O.U.L. 2009
Mārtiņš is looking forward to finishing a master degrees in civil engineering or in buisnes management). He now lives in his hometown of Rezekne, Latvia where he is looking for job. While visiting Canada soon after the S.O.U.L. 2009 tour, he met his Latvian love! She lives in Riga, Latvia. Ana Rebelo- Brazil, S.O.U.L. 2008
Ana recently completed her Bachelor of Music degree from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She now works as an English teacher for one of Brazil's largest language schools- "Wizard". She continues to sing actively in choirs in Rio.  Lenka Horská- Czech Republic, S.O.U.L. 2008
Lenka returned to Czech Republic late in 2008 after completing her S.O.U.L. tour. She is goiing to start a new job as a social worker in her homeland the Czech Republic. She hopes to continue her studies in the field social work in the United States in the future.
E-mail: lenka.horska@gmail.com  Lasha Kvetenadze- Republic of Georgia, S.O.U.L. 2008
Lasha is working as the Choir Director at St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Dix Hills, NY. He also works as a Music Educator at Brooklyn Child Care. He lives in New York and is searching for Music Schools where he might begin studies for his Doctorate of Symphony Conducting. E-mail: l.kvetenadze@yahoo.com
 Tinashe Mukarati- Zimbabwe, S.O.U.L. 2008
Tinashe has recently worked as a Jazz Conductor at "Musicamp" in Zimbabwe. He is now working as Acting Director of Music at the Harare International School. In 2010 he hopes to take a permanent position as Music Director at an all-boys school about one hour outside of Harare. He has plans to travel to Switzerland and the USA in the next year or so.  Yael Front- Israel, S.O.U.L. 06/07
Yael continues working with the "Moran" Singers Ensemble in which she is a singer, arranger and occasional conductor and accompanist. She is now a second year Orchestra-conducting student at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance where she sings in the "Jerusalem Academy Chamber choir". Yael traveled with this choir to the US in October 2008. During the tour, she met with former members of SOUL, Marcus LaPratt, Dory Lerew, and Lasha Kvetenadze. Email: yael_front@hotmail.com  Masashi Kishimoto- Japan, S.O.U.L. 06/07
Masashi finished his MM in conducting in Spring 2009 from Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. He is now pursuing his PhD in Choral Conducting in Fargo, ND. In 2008 Masashi filled in as the S.O.U.L. 2008 Tour Manager for 5 weeks. And in 2008 he toured with his university choir to Austria's Choir Olympics, where his choir won first place! In August 2008, Masashi traveled to Mexico where he was hosted by fellow S.O.U.L. 06/07 soprano Susi. While in Mexico, Masashi offered master classes and conducting workshops with many Mexican singers!  Susi Mijangos- Mexico, S.O.U.L. 06/07
Susi is teaching in FERMATTA Music School in Mexico City, a popular music school. She will give four solo concerts in the near future in different states of Mexico. She will be applying for masters degree programs in the USA before the end of 2008.  Lawrence "Branco" Sekalegga- Uganda, S.O.U.L. 06/07
Branco is a Fulbright Scholar at Wesleyan University in Connecticut studying Music Composition and sound/recording technology. He plans to return to the Bitone Center, which he founded in Uganda in 2005, after his studies. Learn more about Bitone by visiting www.bitonechildren.org. using music and dance to restore and enhance the lives and hops of Ugandan traumatized children who lost their parents or home due to war, disease or economic hardships. Branco enjoys singing, dancing and playing piano and Ugandan traditional musical instruments including; bow harp, drums, tube fiddle and xylophone. E-mail: brancolarrys@hotmail.com  Dory Lerew- U.S.A. Tour Manager, S.O.U.L. 06/07
Dory has been traveling a lot with Missoula Children's Theatre, Inc. as a Tour Actor/Director. She likes to spend her summers in northern Michigan. In 2007 she traveled to Uganda where she met up with Branco (S.O.U.L. 06/07). She worked with him and his unique home for children: www.bitonechildren.org.  Melania Severi- Argentina, S.O.U.L. 05/06
Melania is a volleyball fanatic! She loves to play... well, she loved to play- until she recently broke her leg from a volleyball injury. Melania is taking private lessons of voice performance and music theory. She also teaches voice in a senior choir and to private students. She raises cacti in her spare time and enjoys spending time with her two neices and one nephew.  Ting Eng Han- Malaysia, S.O.U.L. 05/06
Currently, Ting works in Kuala Lumpur as an Italian language instructor as well as a teacher of guitar and vocal music. Ting has studied extensively in Italy and has worked with the Italian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur with language programming. E-mail: ting_cristoforo@yahoo.com Sylvia LaPratt- Switzerland, S.O.U.L. 05/06
Sylvia began a full-time teaching position in 2006 as an elementary music teacher near Detroit, Michigan. She is pursuing a MM degree in Voice Performance from Wayne State University. She manages to continue to find time to play harp for various events in the Metro Detroit area while spending as much time as possible with her daughter Lina.  Nelly Todorova- Bulgaria, S.O.U.L. 04/05
Nelly currently lives in Holland. She completed her studies in September 2008 and is currently conducting Dutch choirs, teaching piano to children and adults, and always looking forward to traveling and seeing different places in the world!  Nathan Ahimsa- Indonesia, S.O.U.L. 04/05
Nathan was married on November 29, 2008 in Bandung, Indonesia! S.O.U.L. founder, Marcus LaPratt was honored to be part of this wedding. Nathan has been involved with the Susvara Opera Company, the music program at Maranatha Christian University, and Studio Cantorum in Bandung. He coordinates special event programming for Sinfonia Music School and he works as a choral music director. He has assisted with the national Church Choral Music Symposium in Indonesia.  Roberto Reffray- Peru, S.O.U.L. 04/05
Roberto has recently become a professional chef in Peru. He completed a tour of many Peruvian villages where he acquired the skills of Peruvian cuisine. He has learned many secrets of the recipes of regional Peruvian cuisine. Roberto continues to sing actively in projects in and around Lima.  Ruth Armishaw- New Zealand, S.O.U.L. 2004
Ruth works at the Wellington Music Centre as a Music Tutor. She graduated with honours from the New Zealand School of Music in 2007.
 Lhente-Mari Pitout- South Africa, S.O.U.L. 2004
Lhente-Mari is currently working as a conductor at the university of Pretoria Youth Choir. She also conducts Kempton Park HS Choir and Dr EG Jansen Girls Choir. She works as a singer, conductor, accompanist, and adjudicator. With numerous contributions towards the Arts in South Africa, she teaches students, signers, and artists the expression and realization of dreams and ideas through the performing arts. She is married to Reynhardt Pitout. Travelling, music, art, reading, movies, cooking, and spending time with her two Matlese poodles are some of her most treasured past times. | |
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