The Wedding Party: Honored Family
Dorothy Fontana, Mother of the Bride
Potomac, MD
Potomac, MD
Robert Fontana, Father of the Bride
Potomac, MD
Potomac, MD
Shirley Fuchsberg, Grandmother of the Groom
Sunny Isles, FL
Sunny Isles, FL
Irene Minkoff, Mother of the Groom
New York, NY
New York, NY
Sarah Minkoff-Baylis, Sister of the Groom
New York, NY
New York, NY
Paul Minkoff, Father of the Groom
Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
The Wedding Party: Honor Guard
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen weren't the right fit for the happy couple. In their place, we present, a singular collective of beloved friends, The Honor Guard.
Wes Carroll
San Francisco, California
Wes and Jonathan met at the 1997 East Coast A cappella summit where their like-minded analytical nature and passionate love of creating art bonded them immediately. Jonathan produced Wes' pop-electronica album, "You Don't Know Me". Wes has helped Jonathan through both 9-11 and the great East Coast Blackout. Wes and Jonathan have performed together in the a cappella group, Altavoz, and Jonathan stood for Wes at his recent marriage to his wife, Audrey. Wes is a world renowned vocal percussionist (formerly with both FOCS and The House Jacks), and the founder of highly sought-after SAT tutoring program, BodSAT.
San Francisco, California
Wes and Jonathan met at the 1997 East Coast A cappella summit where their like-minded analytical nature and passionate love of creating art bonded them immediately. Jonathan produced Wes' pop-electronica album, "You Don't Know Me". Wes has helped Jonathan through both 9-11 and the great East Coast Blackout. Wes and Jonathan have performed together in the a cappella group, Altavoz, and Jonathan stood for Wes at his recent marriage to his wife, Audrey. Wes is a world renowned vocal percussionist (formerly with both FOCS and The House Jacks), and the founder of highly sought-after SAT tutoring program, BodSAT.
Bryan Chadima
Venice, California
Bryan and Jonathan met in Vocal Jazz Ensemble in 1989 at Northwestern University. Soon after, Bryan joined Jonathan's newly formed a cappella group, Blind Man's Bluff, and the two toured together until 1994. Bryan writes and records in the LA area and can be seen performing operatically in the Three Waiters and less operatically as a member of Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix.
Venice, California
Bryan and Jonathan met in Vocal Jazz Ensemble in 1989 at Northwestern University. Soon after, Bryan joined Jonathan's newly formed a cappella group, Blind Man's Bluff, and the two toured together until 1994. Bryan writes and records in the LA area and can be seen performing operatically in the Three Waiters and less operatically as a member of Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix.
Kevin Child
Boston, Massachussetts
Kevin has been a part of SingStrong since the beginning and has taken on greater responsibility each year, including the important task of partying with both Jonathan and Judy for several days following each festival. Kevin helped establish the Maine Steiners with his award-winning vocal percussion, and he continues to coach a cappella groups and perform with Judy's ensemble, The Single Singers. Kevin has a natural understanding of people and a consequent gift for sales which enhanced his stellar career in educational recruitment, and has since led to an "offer he couldn't refuse" in the medical equipment field. Comedian, emcee, singer, owner of a new convertible: this is not a man who'll remain single long, ladies.
Boston, Massachussetts
Kevin has been a part of SingStrong since the beginning and has taken on greater responsibility each year, including the important task of partying with both Jonathan and Judy for several days following each festival. Kevin helped establish the Maine Steiners with his award-winning vocal percussion, and he continues to coach a cappella groups and perform with Judy's ensemble, The Single Singers. Kevin has a natural understanding of people and a consequent gift for sales which enhanced his stellar career in educational recruitment, and has since led to an "offer he couldn't refuse" in the medical equipment field. Comedian, emcee, singer, owner of a new convertible: this is not a man who'll remain single long, ladies.
Melissa Conner
Midlothian, VA
Judy met Melissa when they both pledged the same sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, at The College of William and Mary. They quickly bonded over the ridiculousness of actually being in a sorority, and had many laughs over their artful, operatic re-working of the GPB classic, "Goodnight, Little Sister." Melissa and Judy were roommates, best friends, and partners in crime. Ever the studious collegians, they spent many a long night discussing the inner workings of the banana slug and brainstorming words that rhyme with 'renal'. (Jonathan suggests "mean ol'. As in, "That mean ol' dog has a renal clog.") After college, the two stayed close, and in 2009, Melissa asked Judy to be the (fairy) godmother of her baby girl, Catherine. Melissa is currently an attorney at Park Pallais, LLC; Superwife to her husband, Ian; and Supermom to three little ones (Sean, Catherine, and Will) who are growing up far too quickly.
Midlothian, VA
Judy met Melissa when they both pledged the same sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, at The College of William and Mary. They quickly bonded over the ridiculousness of actually being in a sorority, and had many laughs over their artful, operatic re-working of the GPB classic, "Goodnight, Little Sister." Melissa and Judy were roommates, best friends, and partners in crime. Ever the studious collegians, they spent many a long night discussing the inner workings of the banana slug and brainstorming words that rhyme with 'renal'. (Jonathan suggests "mean ol'. As in, "That mean ol' dog has a renal clog.") After college, the two stayed close, and in 2009, Melissa asked Judy to be the (fairy) godmother of her baby girl, Catherine. Melissa is currently an attorney at Park Pallais, LLC; Superwife to her husband, Ian; and Supermom to three little ones (Sean, Catherine, and Will) who are growing up far too quickly.
Freddie Feldman (Best Officiant)
Skokie, Illinois
Freddie and Jonathan met at Northwestern University in 1996 and soon moved in together at the now infamous "501". This was in the days that Vocomotion was an a cappella group, before it became VOCOMOTION, the award-winning recording studio. Jonathan was Freddie's best man at his wedding to Jill, and the two are besties for life. Freddie is the creator of The Thumper, a particularly bad-a$$ throat microphone that is worn by members of both Judy's and Jonathan's a cappella groups and was even used to help two brothers suffering from Duchenne's to communicate in The Lads Project. Freddie and Jonathan also give themselves great joy and heart failure producing SingStrong Chicago together.
Skokie, Illinois
Freddie and Jonathan met at Northwestern University in 1996 and soon moved in together at the now infamous "501". This was in the days that Vocomotion was an a cappella group, before it became VOCOMOTION, the award-winning recording studio. Jonathan was Freddie's best man at his wedding to Jill, and the two are besties for life. Freddie is the creator of The Thumper, a particularly bad-a$$ throat microphone that is worn by members of both Judy's and Jonathan's a cappella groups and was even used to help two brothers suffering from Duchenne's to communicate in The Lads Project. Freddie and Jonathan also give themselves great joy and heart failure producing SingStrong Chicago together.
Diana Preisler (Maid of Honor)
Weehawken, New Jersey
"Didee" and Jonny met in late 2001 and have stayed friends every since. Jonathan was Diana's "Man of Honor" when she married Marty. They produce SingStrong and perform together in Blue Jupiter. Along with Marty, the three of them cared for their beloved lab, Tucker for many years. And several years ago, Diana and Marty asked Jonathan and Judy to be the godparents for their human daughter, Maya. Diana is a nationally known voiceover artist for dozens of brands including MTV, VH1, Coke, Behr and many others, as well as a Broadway singer.
Weehawken, New Jersey
"Didee" and Jonny met in late 2001 and have stayed friends every since. Jonathan was Diana's "Man of Honor" when she married Marty. They produce SingStrong and perform together in Blue Jupiter. Along with Marty, the three of them cared for their beloved lab, Tucker for many years. And several years ago, Diana and Marty asked Jonathan and Judy to be the godparents for their human daughter, Maya. Diana is a nationally known voiceover artist for dozens of brands including MTV, VH1, Coke, Behr and many others, as well as a Broadway singer.
Marty Gasper (Best Man)
Weehawken, New Jersey
Marty and Jonathan met through SingStrong's predecessor festival, ECS in 2003. They became fast friends and now Marty and Jonathan sing together in Blue Jupiter. Marty runs sound for SingStrong and he also works at the law firm, Fuchsberg & Fuchsberg as Jonathan's assistant. Marty is one the world's best vocal percussionists, a Berklee-trained recording engineer, and has recently won accolades for his wedding DJ work with 2 Dog Entertainment.
Weehawken, New Jersey
Marty and Jonathan met through SingStrong's predecessor festival, ECS in 2003. They became fast friends and now Marty and Jonathan sing together in Blue Jupiter. Marty runs sound for SingStrong and he also works at the law firm, Fuchsberg & Fuchsberg as Jonathan's assistant. Marty is one the world's best vocal percussionists, a Berklee-trained recording engineer, and has recently won accolades for his wedding DJ work with 2 Dog Entertainment.
Katie Grouse (Maid of Honor)
Chicago, Illinois
Judy and Katie met when they were babies at a family Christmas gathering in Houston, TX. As kids, they used to spend hours together writing and composing music for non-award-winning plays to which they would subject the rest of the family. Not unlike the Superbowl, the highlight of these evenings was, of course, the commercials. Inspired by the 1989 movie, UHF, starring Weird Al Yankovic, Judy and Katie's enthusiasm must have helped boost ratings for Spatula City in some way. As adults, they focused their creative juices on more culturally pleasing things, such as painting a bust of George Washington in drag. Katie has since wasted her talents by acquiring a masters in International and European politics from the University of Edinburgh and an MD from UVA. She is now living in Chicago, IL, where she works as a neurologist at Rush Hospital.
Chicago, Illinois
Judy and Katie met when they were babies at a family Christmas gathering in Houston, TX. As kids, they used to spend hours together writing and composing music for non-award-winning plays to which they would subject the rest of the family. Not unlike the Superbowl, the highlight of these evenings was, of course, the commercials. Inspired by the 1989 movie, UHF, starring Weird Al Yankovic, Judy and Katie's enthusiasm must have helped boost ratings for Spatula City in some way. As adults, they focused their creative juices on more culturally pleasing things, such as painting a bust of George Washington in drag. Katie has since wasted her talents by acquiring a masters in International and European politics from the University of Edinburgh and an MD from UVA. She is now living in Chicago, IL, where she works as a neurologist at Rush Hospital.
Edwina Kucharz
Atlanta, GA
If it weren't for Edwina and the Great Closet Purge of '06, Judy would still be wearing the same girly style she wore in 1992. The two got their start as friends in the all-female a cappella group, Octave, but their long-lasting bond was truly forged when Edwina became Social Chair of Judy's life just when she needed it most. In 2014, Judy and Jonathan attended Edwina's wedding, and Judy was honored to bridesmaid the hell out of that thing. Edwina currently works as an Account Manager at PCI.
Atlanta, GA
If it weren't for Edwina and the Great Closet Purge of '06, Judy would still be wearing the same girly style she wore in 1992. The two got their start as friends in the all-female a cappella group, Octave, but their long-lasting bond was truly forged when Edwina became Social Chair of Judy's life just when she needed it most. In 2014, Judy and Jonathan attended Edwina's wedding, and Judy was honored to bridesmaid the hell out of that thing. Edwina currently works as an Account Manager at PCI.
Catherine Lewis
Washington DC
Judy and Catherine sang together in the DC-based all-female a cappella group, Kismet. Judy knew she had found her "soul sistah" when she saw that Catherine also fastidiously color-coded her Excel spreadsheets, possibly to an even greater extent than Judy did her own. The two were inseparable from that point on, and even attended their first SingStrong together, where Judy met Jonathan. In fact, thanks to Catherine's generous non-c@ck-blocking modus operandi, Judy and Jonathan had their very first conversation at a romantic little table for three at Buffalo Wild Wings. Catherine remains connected to a cappella as a RARB reviewer, along with Jonathan, but the bands she loves the most these days sound less like The Cleftomaniacs or the Acafellas, and more like Cannibal Corpse, Cattle Decapitation, and Decrepit Birth (she says Dying Fetus is solid too). When Catherine isn't attending, reviewing, and keeping track of every single concert in the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas on her comprehensive website, ShowlistDC, she's an Engineering Associate for a little mom and pop energy company called Exxon.
Washington DC
Judy and Catherine sang together in the DC-based all-female a cappella group, Kismet. Judy knew she had found her "soul sistah" when she saw that Catherine also fastidiously color-coded her Excel spreadsheets, possibly to an even greater extent than Judy did her own. The two were inseparable from that point on, and even attended their first SingStrong together, where Judy met Jonathan. In fact, thanks to Catherine's generous non-c@ck-blocking modus operandi, Judy and Jonathan had their very first conversation at a romantic little table for three at Buffalo Wild Wings. Catherine remains connected to a cappella as a RARB reviewer, along with Jonathan, but the bands she loves the most these days sound less like The Cleftomaniacs or the Acafellas, and more like Cannibal Corpse, Cattle Decapitation, and Decrepit Birth (she says Dying Fetus is solid too). When Catherine isn't attending, reviewing, and keeping track of every single concert in the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas on her comprehensive website, ShowlistDC, she's an Engineering Associate for a little mom and pop energy company called Exxon.
Mike Mendyke
Beaverton, Oregon
Mike has toured the world, first as the bass of Five O-Clock Shadow (FOCS) and for the last decade, as a member of Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix. Mike and Jonathan sang original music together in Altavoz and have stayed close friends ever since. Mike is an MIT-trained rocket scientist, an entrepreneur, a husband and a father.
Beaverton, Oregon
Mike has toured the world, first as the bass of Five O-Clock Shadow (FOCS) and for the last decade, as a member of Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix. Mike and Jonathan sang original music together in Altavoz and have stayed close friends ever since. Mike is an MIT-trained rocket scientist, an entrepreneur, a husband and a father.
Stephanie Madrid
Boston, Massachussetts
From Atlanta to Adams Morgan to Boston and back again, with stops at the appropriate number of dance clubs and wine bars in between, Judy and Steph have a time-tested friendship. The two met each other at a coffee shop in 1999 and from that first shared pot of coffee, they knew they would be the best of friends. In 2012, Judy was honored to stand up for Steph at her wedding to high school sweetheart, Jomil. Stephanie currently works as a Compass Care Manager at Aegerion Pharmaceuticals and lives just North of Boston with Jomil and their four-legged babies, Halle, Munch, and Rosie.
Boston, Massachussetts
From Atlanta to Adams Morgan to Boston and back again, with stops at the appropriate number of dance clubs and wine bars in between, Judy and Steph have a time-tested friendship. The two met each other at a coffee shop in 1999 and from that first shared pot of coffee, they knew they would be the best of friends. In 2012, Judy was honored to stand up for Steph at her wedding to high school sweetheart, Jomil. Stephanie currently works as a Compass Care Manager at Aegerion Pharmaceuticals and lives just North of Boston with Jomil and their four-legged babies, Halle, Munch, and Rosie.
Sarah Minkoff-Baylis (Maid of Honor)
New York, New York
Jonathan and Sarah first met in 1975, when Sarah was 1 and a half and Jonathan was 5. As newly minted brother and sister, they got along very well, and as adults they get along even better. When Judy entered the scene in 2009, she and Sarah took an immediate liking to each other. They bonded over their obsession with Korean BBQ (it was in their genes) and began having "girls' nights out" at a local restaurant called, Gyu Kaku. In fact, "Gyu" became their code word, and they secretly knew that was where they would meet for sake and girl talk whenever Jonathan was out of town. The first thing you might notice about Sarah is her dry humor and sharp wit, but if you stick around and get to know her, you'll also discover that she is a superhero. Her many super powers include being a mom, a trained chef, a food photographer, an athlete, a wife, an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), a national CPR/AED/First Aid/BBP instructor, and, as of this summer, the Health Director at Oasis Day Camp, where her daughter, Mikayla, will attend summer camp. She wants everyone to be healthy and safe, but she would also be thrilled if anyone needed her to stab them with an epi-pen.
New York, New York
Jonathan and Sarah first met in 1975, when Sarah was 1 and a half and Jonathan was 5. As newly minted brother and sister, they got along very well, and as adults they get along even better. When Judy entered the scene in 2009, she and Sarah took an immediate liking to each other. They bonded over their obsession with Korean BBQ (it was in their genes) and began having "girls' nights out" at a local restaurant called, Gyu Kaku. In fact, "Gyu" became their code word, and they secretly knew that was where they would meet for sake and girl talk whenever Jonathan was out of town. The first thing you might notice about Sarah is her dry humor and sharp wit, but if you stick around and get to know her, you'll also discover that she is a superhero. Her many super powers include being a mom, a trained chef, a food photographer, an athlete, a wife, an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), a national CPR/AED/First Aid/BBP instructor, and, as of this summer, the Health Director at Oasis Day Camp, where her daughter, Mikayla, will attend summer camp. She wants everyone to be healthy and safe, but she would also be thrilled if anyone needed her to stab them with an epi-pen.
Sonia Perez
Seattle, Washington
Sonia and Jonathan met in 1982 when both were in Mr. K's Jr. HS choir. They grew to be close friends in HS through the bonding that only choir, musicals, sci-fi nights and shared holidays can create. Jonathan even worked for Sonia's dad for a while, refilling his popular sandwich truck while Sonia encouraged him to eat the merchandise. Sonia has toured the world as an opera and musical theatre performer, sometimes performing with her basso profundo husband, Omaldo. Sonia currently performs with the Seattle Opera.
Seattle, Washington
Sonia and Jonathan met in 1982 when both were in Mr. K's Jr. HS choir. They grew to be close friends in HS through the bonding that only choir, musicals, sci-fi nights and shared holidays can create. Jonathan even worked for Sonia's dad for a while, refilling his popular sandwich truck while Sonia encouraged him to eat the merchandise. Sonia has toured the world as an opera and musical theatre performer, sometimes performing with her basso profundo husband, Omaldo. Sonia currently performs with the Seattle Opera.
Line Riis
Aarhus, Denmark
Line (pronounced "LEE-nuh") got to know Jonathan and Judy in 2011 when her rhythmic choir, Vocal Line came to New York to perform with Bobby McFerrin, although she first met Jonathan in 2009 when Vocal Line won SingStrong's ACA-IDOL. She now also sings, teaches and tours the world in her vocal group, Postyr Project.
Aarhus, Denmark
Line (pronounced "LEE-nuh") got to know Jonathan and Judy in 2011 when her rhythmic choir, Vocal Line came to New York to perform with Bobby McFerrin, although she first met Jonathan in 2009 when Vocal Line won SingStrong's ACA-IDOL. She now also sings, teaches and tours the world in her vocal group, Postyr Project.
Chaz Ruhl
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Chaz joined a cappella group Blind Man's Bluff in the summer of 1994. He and Jonathan toured together until 1997 when Jonathan left for law school. During their travels, the two laughed til they cried with extreme regularity. Following one particularly memorable concert, they were surrounded by a pack of women who encircled and then sang to them. One of these women would later become Chaz's wife, Andi. Chaz can often be found helping Andi with Thrown Elements, the family pottery studio, working long hours as an IT specialist, and even longer hours as the indefatigable father of three.
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Chaz joined a cappella group Blind Man's Bluff in the summer of 1994. He and Jonathan toured together until 1997 when Jonathan left for law school. During their travels, the two laughed til they cried with extreme regularity. Following one particularly memorable concert, they were surrounded by a pack of women who encircled and then sang to them. One of these women would later become Chaz's wife, Andi. Chaz can often be found helping Andi with Thrown Elements, the family pottery studio, working long hours as an IT specialist, and even longer hours as the indefatigable father of three.
Julie Seda
New York, New York
Julie sings low bass in Judy's a cappella group, Stiletta. But Jonathan first met Julie when her doo-wop group, Classic Sounds competed at the New York Harmony Sweepstakes. Classic Sounds since became the only group to have won SingStrong's ACA-IDOL, twice and has volunteered at most of the SingStrongs. Julie became such a staple in Judy and Jonathan's life that she just keeps her own set of clothing and toiletries at their place. Julie is active in many charities including Hope For Change where she has raised thousands to fight breast cancer. On weekdays she is an administrator at an elementary school in Yonkers where she is directly responsible for making our world a better place by educating our youth.
New York, New York
Julie sings low bass in Judy's a cappella group, Stiletta. But Jonathan first met Julie when her doo-wop group, Classic Sounds competed at the New York Harmony Sweepstakes. Classic Sounds since became the only group to have won SingStrong's ACA-IDOL, twice and has volunteered at most of the SingStrongs. Julie became such a staple in Judy and Jonathan's life that she just keeps her own set of clothing and toiletries at their place. Julie is active in many charities including Hope For Change where she has raised thousands to fight breast cancer. On weekdays she is an administrator at an elementary school in Yonkers where she is directly responsible for making our world a better place by educating our youth.
Maureen Shanahan
Olney, MD
Maureen and Judy have known each other since the 6th grade, when they sang in Ms. Gilbert's choir at Redland Middle School. They continued their side-by-side musical trek into the world of high school in 1992 when they both auditioned and were accepted into Mr. K's Chambers Choir. From there, they sang madrigals together, tried out for the drama club together, and were cast together in every musical their school produced. Maureen is still quite active in theatre and directs and performs from time to time with the Rude Mechanicals theatre company. She is currently a BAMF at the NIH and is probably in the middle of her 35th read-through of the Harry Potter series and/or putting together some intricate secret scavenger hunt. So secret, you might be on it right now!
Olney, MD
Maureen and Judy have known each other since the 6th grade, when they sang in Ms. Gilbert's choir at Redland Middle School. They continued their side-by-side musical trek into the world of high school in 1992 when they both auditioned and were accepted into Mr. K's Chambers Choir. From there, they sang madrigals together, tried out for the drama club together, and were cast together in every musical their school produced. Maureen is still quite active in theatre and directs and performs from time to time with the Rude Mechanicals theatre company. She is currently a BAMF at the NIH and is probably in the middle of her 35th read-through of the Harry Potter series and/or putting together some intricate secret scavenger hunt. So secret, you might be on it right now!
Honor Guard. It's kind of a big deal.