Sweeten Your Spirit
A L E W I S B U R G P O D C A S T .
MUSIC, DRAMA, & MORE FOR THE HOUSEHOLD TO ENJOY
Program List
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00:00- 01:05
Intro (Dave Simons)
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01:06 -02:42
Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows (AJ Swanson, Kathryn Stiadle, Krista Carney)
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03:06- 03:50
Cocoa & Cacao (Wendy Hummel)
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03:51-07:54
I'll Take Love (Van Wagner)
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08:06-09:04
A Review of the Heiter Center
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09:04-28:08
Natalie & the Chocolate Factory (cast)
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28:20-29:50
A Spoon Full of Sugar (Krista Carney, Tim Warren, Kate Landis)
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30:08-30:46
White Chocolate (The Cookie Dude)
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31:03-33:28
Pure Imagination (Christina Han, Sophie Bell, Grace Kenny, Dave Simons)
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33:40-34:50
Parting words (Dave Simons)
THE MUSICIANS
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Van Wagner
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AJ Swanson
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Sophie Bell
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Kate Landis
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Krista Carney
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Tim Warren
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Kathryn Stiadle
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Grace Kenny
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Dave Simons
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Paul Anderson
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Christina Han
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Joe Jaxson
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Christina Han
Christina Han is a third-year student at the Boston University College of Fine Arts majoring in CellocPerformance & Music Education and minoring in Arts Leadership. Outside of her academics, she teaches a free weekly after-school music class, is an intern with the Boston Medical Center Arts Lab, & is the president/founder of the Boston University Music Engagement club, which provides free instruments & private lessons for Boston Public School students with no in-school music opportunities, brings free concerts to residents of senior living facilities, & connects university students to other local musical community engagement organizations & opportunities.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Allen "AJ" Swanson
Allen, "AJ" Swanson is a third year chemistry student at Messiah University. AJ has a multitude of music talents including the ability to play clarinet, saxophone, flute, and violin. Musical Theatre pits are where one can hear AJ's playing sparkle, having played in shows such as "The Little Mermaid," "Once on this Island," "Hello Dolly," and more. AJ does not study music in school, but has a passion for making the best possible performances that he can.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Dave Simons
Dave Simons is a music industry student at James Madison University. He studies viola, voice, production, and management. Music to Simons is an opportunity to change a heart and to connect with another human being. "Music is a tool that can be used for radical love to your neighbor." Simons produced the show and appears on "Pure Imagination."
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Kathryn Stiadle
Kathryn Stiadle graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education with Honors, & is pursuing her Master’s in Music Education from Liberty University. She's the K-12th music teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, where her responsibilities include chorus; instrumental music; elementary, middle, & high school general music; & music theory. Prior to Lourdes, Kathryn taught band, chorus, & general music to K-12 students in public school districts in Central PA. She also worked as an assistant with the Hughesville High School marching band. Additionally, Kathryn maintains a private flute studio & cantors at her church. She performs professionally on the flute & piccolo, appearing with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, the Northern Appalachian Wind Ensemble, & the Penn Central Wind Band & is often called upon to fill positions in other local performing groups. She lives with her rescue cat, Ralphie, & is engaged to her fiancé, Zakk.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Grace Kenny
Grace Kenny is a musician and teacher from Lewisburg, PA. She has a degree in violin performance from St. Olaf College and earned her teaching certification through Susquehanna University. She performs with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and other local groups, and she teaches private violin and piano lessons in the area.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Van Wagner
Van Wagner is an educator. In the classroom, he teaches Environmental Science at Lewisburg High School. He has been selected as Conservation Educator of the Year in 2005 from Schuylkill County and in 2007 and 2009 in Union County. In 2012 he was awarded the Sandy Cochran award for natural resource education from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. In 2015 the Red Cross presented Van with the Robert N. Pursel Distinguished Service Award. Outside of the classroom he educates audiences with his music and programs on Pennsylvania History. He received an Outstanding Achievement Award in 2018 from the Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest. His music has been featured on the History Channel, WVIA tv, as well as Country Music Television (CMT). He has released 28 original albums and published a book entitle "Coal Dust Rust and Saw Dust." His music and programs not only entertain but inspire audiences to become involved in learning more.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Sophie Bell
Sophie Bell is thrilled to reprise the role of “cool and approachable person who plays violin” for the 20th year in a row. Sophie, who definitely did not write this bio herself, graduated from Lewisburg Area High School in 2015, followed by four wonderful years as a member of the Juniata College Orchestra. In the winter before her 2019 graduation from Juniata, she joined the orchestra on its inaugural tour of Germany, France, and Switzerland, an experience that she will describe as “snowy” and “soul-fluffing” if asked. Sophie is currently a Master’s candidate in Art History at CUNY Hunter College in New York City. She and her violin returned to Lewisburg in March of 2020 and have been experiencing the joys of graduate school over Zoom ever since. In her spare time she tends to crochet while watching TV shows that she has already seen several times.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Krista Carney
Krista is the elementary music teacher for Shamokin and has been a marching and music instructor for the Lewisburg Marching Dragons for the last six years. She is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Boston University graduate with a Master of Music Education and is currently a PhD candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University Chicago. Krista has taught music since 1995 and in that time has managed to teach band, orchestra, chorus and general music to grades Pre-K through 12. Krista is married to Ed Carney, is the mother of Abigail and Kiera Breeding, and stepmother to Cat and Lane Carney, all alumni or current students at Lewisburg Area. Any free time is taken by the family’s three dogs, Chloe, Tashi and Percy
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Kate Landis
Kate Landis was born and raised in Lewisburg, PA. She attended Lewisburg HS and graduated in 2014. Kate then attended Penn State University. She graduated in 2019 with a double major in Music Education and Music Performance. She was also a member of the Penn State Blue Band. After graduation, Kate began teaching at Hanover Public School District in Hanover,PA. She currently teaches 5-12 concert band, jazz band, marching band, and steel drum ensemble. She has taught in Hanover for two years! Kate loves sharing her passion for music with her students, and she is so excited to perform for you. Please enjoy
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Tim Warren
Tim Warren grew up in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He's a conductor, educator, director, & musician currently living in Las Vegas. He teaches in the music & education departments at Great Basin College, serves as a teacher and the district music lead for Legacy Traditional Schools, & as a music director & conductor for Opera Las Vegas. Warren leads professional development & curriculum creation for the music faculty at 18 Legacy campuses across Arizona & Nevada & operates a private music studio in Las Vegas. Before moving to Nevada, he worked as an arts & curriculum administrator in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona while completing doctoral coursework in conducting & musicology at the University of Arizona. Warren has served as a conductor, director, & clinician for theatre, opera, & bands throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Arizona, & Nevada. He has guest conducted at the Hochstein School of Music, Roberts Wesleyan College, & Susquehanna University & led ensembles internationally in France, Argentina, China, & Australia. Warren holds a Master’s degree in conducting from the New England Conservatory & a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Roberts Wesleyan College.
THE ACTORS
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Diane Scott
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Orissa Reed
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Quinn Stanford
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Dave Simons
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Lauren Halteman
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Reese Stahl
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William Burke
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Terry Burke
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Maggie Able
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Kate Leister
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Sarah Tiede
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Michael Conard
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Lauren Halteman - "Natalie"
Lauren is excited to be a part of this special and uplifting community project! Lauren is a native of Lewisburg, and eventually made her way back, after years of adventures through various schooling, training, and job opportunities, taking her to some wonderful places around the globe! She studied acting, dancing and vocal performance, then expanded her education to counseling, art therapy and ministry. She is a supporter of the arts, loves serving the local community, and currently serves as the Director of Children's Ministries at the Lewisburg Alliance Church.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Sarah Tiede "Natalie's Mother/Violet"
Sarah Tiede is a local resident of Lewisburg. She is a music teacher in the Lewisburg area school district. Having acted in the past, these days she can usually be found directing for the Lewisburg's high school musical. Sarah has also dabbled in voice over work, and jingle writing so she is excited to jump in on this project and revisit those skills.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Maggie Able - "Wonka"
Maggie Able has has a love affair with theatre since her first production in High School. 40 years later and it has only gotten stronger. Maggie has been involved in theatre in many ways over the years and has continued to enjoy learning all the facets. Whether Acting, directing, stage managing and or foraying into the 1640s with costuming, Maggie has enjoyed being a part of the theatre world.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Kate Leister - "Kate/Veruca"
Kate Leister, 18, is a recent graduate of Lewisburg Area High School, and now attends The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City for musical theatre. She has multiple musical credits to her name, including roles in local productions of The Wizard of Oz; Bye Bye, Birdie; Titanic the Musical; The Little Mermaid; A Christmas Carol; Hello, Dolly!; and Of Thee I Sing. She has also done straight plays, with roles in Beauty & The Beast; Nora’s Lost; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Les Miserables; and The Company You Keep. Kate also released her first album in October of 2020, Figuring It Out As We Go. While she has a few passion projects in the works, this is her first public credit as an assistant script-writer. When she’s not working on her degree, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with her friends.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Diane Scott - "Augustus's Mother"
Diane Scott teaches piano both at Susquehanna University and privately. As Director of music at First Lutheran Church in Mifflinburg, PA, she plays organ, conducts adult and Cherub Choir and leads the Praise team. Ten years entertaining at Walt Disney World in the Magic Kingdom has led to working with Wayne Brady (he was just out of High School). Other miscellaneous credits include vocal coach at Universal Studios Florida, entertaining on cruise ships in the Bahamas and Hawaii, and touring with an off Broadway show Currently she sings with the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. She has participated with local theatre groups including Riverstage and Christ Wesleyan Theatre.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Terry Burke - "Ducks/Mike's Father
Terry has been a long-time admirer of voice actors back to Mel Blanc and the Looney Tunes. (They are still the best cartoons!) I have been playing around with different goofy voices for as long as I have had the courage to try them. I learned about this opportunity through my son Will who is also part of the cast.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Michael Conard - "Conrad"
There's no business like show business, and for Michael Conard, a native of Lewisburg, he's always had a bit of the acting bug with such shows as Shakespeare's A Midsummer&'s Night Dream, Bunnies On Broadway, Damn Yankees, and Something's A Foot, to name a few. He's always had a passion for the arts, both on and off stage having earned his B.A. in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University. He then found his journey leading him back to his hometown where the showbiz bug was biting once more and rekindled his passions, with a summer smash hit of Riverstage Theatr's production of Mamma Mia in 2019! Michael has also taken on roles for himself at the historic Campus Theatre as the theatre's Social Media Manager and Special Events Assistant, among others. Michael is thrilled to be a part of this unique and exciting program, not only for the new stretch to his acting chops of playing the sinister "Conrad" but more importantly to be a part of what the program and fundraiser can do to help a cherished community that he'll always be able to call home.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
William Burke - "Mike/Augustus"
My name, is Will I love dogs and video games, I am a student at Lewisburg middle school. I also enjoy lofi music.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Rees Stahl - "Announcer/Veruca's Mom
Reese enjoys acting and has been in many Riverstage plays like “I Hate Shakespeare”, “Exposed”, and “Cinderstein”. He also enjoys gaming and superhero movies
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Quinn Stanford - "Candy Store Owner"
A veteran of the local theater scene, Quinn has been part of productions at RiverStage and GTS theaters. He played Charles Dickens and Charlie's grandfather in RiverStage's 2019 production of "Exposed: How It Really Happened." In 2020, he played a guard in RiverStage's performance of "Cinderstein." Recently, he appeared as Father Christmas in GTS's special zoom production of "For Lease Navidad." As part of a holiday show in 2020, he wrote and performed a stand-up routine. Quinn, 13, is in eighth grade at Selinsgrove Middle School.
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"Sweeten Your Spirit"
Orissa Reed - "Orissa"
Orissa Reed is an eighth grader in the Lewisburg School District. She has been participating in various local theatre projects since 2017, including shows with Riverstage Theatre, Grand Travelers & Scrim Youth Theatre, and Community Theatre League. As a dancer with Strictly Ballet, Orissa has appeared in every Lewisburg Victorian Nutcracker since it premiered three years ago. Most recently, she was cast as Colin in Riverstage’s production of The Secret Garden. Additionally, Orissa is a proud member of the Lewisburg Marching Dragons and Girl Scout Troop 61083. She would like to thank David and everyone who helped organize this fun project!