About the Instructors

Mrs. Lori Beason, Director of the Elementary Choir and the Recorder Class, is a homeshool mom of 2 children, holds a BA degree in Vocal Music with a minor in Speech and Drama from Cornerstone University, a BS degree in Secondary Music Education from Calvin College, with Post Graduate work at various universities. Lori taught for 10 years in both public and Christian schools teaching music, drama and debate. She teaches private piano, voice and clarinet lessons. She credits her high school music teacher, Mr. Stiles, for inspiring her to pursue music as a career.

Mrs. Janice Carlson, Beginning Orchestra and Fiddle Class Instructor is active in her church's music and has participated in various orchestras and ensembles including Central Wesleyan Orchestra and Hammers and Strings Dulcimer Band.  She is a private violin instructor and a 12 year home school veteran.

Mrs. Sarah Karnes, Orchestra instructor, graduated from GVSU and received a BA with secondary teaching certification.  She played with the West Shore Symphony of Muskegon for about 18 yrs in the violin section and also gives private lessons.  

 Ms. Hannah Lonsway, Colorguard instructor, is a former WMHFA colorguard and band student. 

Mrs. Wendy March, founding director of WMHFA, instructor of the Beginning and Intermediate Bands, and Assistant Director of Northern Lights Marching Band, is a homeschool mom of 6 children with a BA degree in Secondary Music Education.  She has been teaching and performing for over 30 years in choirs, orchestra, bands, private instruction and consulting.  In 1996 she started WMHFA with the desire to provide homeschool students the opportunity to learn how to play musical instruments.

 Mr. Larry Moore, Home School Big Band instructor, earned a BA in Music Education from GVSU and a Masters of Music from WMU.  He has been the director of Bands at Comstock Park Public Schools since 1985 where he runs the entire band program of the Middle School and the High School.  He also directs an award winning High School Jazz Ensemble.  Mr. Moore, a homeschool dad of two children, attends Riverside Christian church and plays drums on the worship team. 

Mrs. Ginger Pasma, Girls Choir instructor.  She is very involved in her church and directs the church choir. She has worked with mass choirs over the past 9 years by writing music, directing and recording. She has 6 children and is currently homeschooling 4 of them. The family sings as part of the Baker Pasma Family.

Mrs. Brenda Rieger, Woodwind Ensemble instructor and MSBOA coordinator, is a homeschool mom of 9 children with a BS in Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University.  She played clarinet with the Kankakee Symphony Orchestra for 15 years and taught public school music and choir for 4 years.

Mrs. Kristen Shoup, Director of Advanced Band, Advanced Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, earned a BA in Music Education from WMU and a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music.  She has been a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra since 1992.  Kristen has been the Orchestra Director of Grand Rapids Christian Schools, Calvin Christian Schools, and is the Assistant Director of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony’s Classical Orchestra.

Mr. Robert Stiles, Director of Concert Band, Northern Lights Chorale, Young Americans Boys Choir, and Marching Band, is a retired public high school music teacher.  Mr. Stiles has taught both instrumental and vocal music throughout 36 years in public education.  He holds a BS degree in Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois and a Masters Degree in Instrumental Music from the University of Michigan.