CLASS NOTES with RAM,” organized by Michael Price and hosted by Richard A. Morse ’75 and Lunise at their historic Hotel Oloffson, reunited seven NMHers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in February. Richard formed the renowned Caribbean performance ensemble after leaving New York City and returning to his mother’s native land in 1990. He invites international musicians to jam with RAM, a unique musical experience. Their mizik rasin Voodoo Rock is a unique blend of African, soul, R&B, and funk rhythms. RAM has gained international recognition, and was featured on NPR for their CD, “RAM 6.” NMHers attending were Seitu Morel ’12, Jodi Solomon ’76, Roger Treat ’75, Jon Zeeman ’73, and Kerry Rosenthal. Alumni interested in joining our return trip February 2017, write: michael@michaelpricephotography.com. • Chandler “Chris” Cudlipp is “managing director of La Cetra Barockorchester & Vokalensemble Basel, a period instrument orchestra [with a] repertoire [covering] late Renaissance to early classical, the Baroque period of music and architecture. Zsuzsanna and I take day trips from Zurich and ski in the Alps. We’ve recently visited Perugia, Italy, and Andalusia, Spain, favoring Mezquita de Cordoba and Real Alcazar de Sevilla. Alexandra entered University of Zurich following her two-year post-gymnasium gap. My favorite aspect of travel is walking, sensing everyday city life. I occasionally discover a good restaurant. Good food is always important.” • Bonita Hyman writes, “My April New York Metropolitan Opera soloist debut was a blast! It was not my first time in the house; I performed there as a young chorus singer in Porgy and Bess (1985) and covered Cornelia in Handel’s Giulio Cesare (1999). Being one of the five Magds in Strauss’s Elektra has been an honor. A perfect 60th birthday! Yolanda Suarez Merchant, Dongsok Shin ’76 (my Easter host), Charlotte Bacon Holton ’76, Marcia Sprague ’73 (Romania 1972 roommate), and DeeDee Higgins Nuanes ’72 attended. Peg LeBaron Purdue came to New York to hang out with me after 17 years. David Wright ’73 and Bill Stewart ’73 viewed simultaneous HD broadcasts. Son Cameron (18) is in high school!” • “Bonita Hyman was amazing in Elektra. Hers is the voice that opens the opera,” writes New York City-based artist
Barbara Forshay ’74 sees the sights in Ciraqui, Spain.
and art dealer Yolanda Suarez Merchant, and “Here is a small video about my own work that I did for a foundation in Italy: youtu.be/ ldmvxQyWHD4, filmed by Lisa Stein ’73.” Yolanda currently focuses on self-portraiture as a form of self-expression, with paintings in collections of the Butler Institute of American Art, Housatonic Museum, and the Mattatuck Museum. Yolanda studied with world-famous artist Nerina Simi and art historian Henry Geldzahler. She’s re-connected with Elizabeth Johnson Cua. Elizabeth had a terrific sprint through Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas in May. “We experienced a culture, a history deep and wide, and people very warm and friendly. My husband injured his knee this winter at Jackson Hole, but is nearly mended. Off to Madagascar and Seychelles later this year. Highly recommend tucking into the travels while we are young and able.” • Hello from Keith Gray in Miami Beach: “I’ve made a commitment with my wife, Agnes, to travel three to seven days every month for the next 12 months! In April we went to Poland: Gdansk, Krakow, and lastly Zakopane for a rural-style family wedding. May: We spent five days in our mountain abode near NMH. Did I tell you about the 200-lb bear eating from our bird feeder, standing on two legs? June: We went to the Dominican Republic. I remember my father’s words, ‘Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.’” • On a recent rock-hounding trip in the western Utah desert, more than 150 miles of which was on dirt roads, Eric Teot of Salt Lake City collected geodes, amber-colored topaz crystals, and 500-million-year-old trilobite fossils. • Writer Michael Richards was profiled in OmniMystery News and The Big Thrill Online Magazine, advancing his January debut novel, Choice of Enemies. He enjoyed book readings and press conferences this spring and summer along the East Coast. In October, he presented a workshop, “Developing Foreign Locales in a Novel” at the annual Florida Writers Association conference. In November, his follow-up novel, A Thousand Enemies, was published. • “Liking my job more than ever after 28 years as clarinetist in the Coast Guard Band, New London, Conn.,” writes Jonathan Towne. “As senior enlisted and master chief, there’s more admin work, though I most enjoy
(From left) Toni Cook ’74, Josie Hart ’74, and Valerie Bowman Jarrett ’74 celebrate Commencement together.
concert performances and Coast Guard ceremonies. Last January, I led the Coast Guard Band on ‘The Finest Hours’ Hollywood red carpet, then watched the premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. In January 2017, I’ll lead the band in my last Presidential Inaugural Parade in D.C. It’s been a great career, and I’m grateful for my work supporting the Coast Guard.” • Josephine Hart saw Toni Cook and Senior White House Advisor Valerie Bowman Jarrett at NMH Commencement. Valerie also spoke at the Muhammad Ali Memorial (youtube.com/ watch?v=ie7qlCLwIHA). Ali was on campus in April 1974; 42 years later Valerie speaks at his funeral on behalf of POTUS! • Lyn Maravell Joy writes, “I switched from Green to Democrat. I was an alternate delegate for Bernie Sanders at the Maine Democratic Convention but did not get bumped to delegate. I witnessed the passing of Diane Russell’s prototype for getting rid of the super delegate system in 2020. Otherwise, I’m out in my garden and selling plants.” • Christopher Matthews and wife Beth hit 60 last fall. Chris continues to research 16th-century Spanish reformers’ writings at Oxford University, and with librarians, discovered a rare letter from the Duke of Wellington ensconced in an old Spanish book. He attended a Peruvian wedding in an old London hall: “charming and colorful.” Chris and Beth welcomed two new granddaughters this year, Bailey Anne and Evelyn Michelle Liang San, so they traveled to South Korea to see them. “Coming through North Carolina?” asks Chris. “Y’all are welcome to visit; just write us to ensure we’re home.” • Claire Bamberg’s son Nathaniel completed his Knox junior year with an original etching juried into Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. Son Matthew “BAM” Bamberg ’02 teaches, enjoying rave reviews for his acting company, The Speakeasy Society. Son Brian married in Rochester, N.Y., in June. She stayed with the John Burnhams in Rhode Island and recently saw Peter Allenby. Church consulting takes Claire across the country. She completed her 34-year career as parish minister after nearly a decade with the Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC. Claire is now the national director of coaching and senior consultant for the Center for Progressive Renewal, and is a marriage and family pastoral psychotherapist and coach in West Simsbury, Conn. • Andre Fleuriel’s life has a familiar rhythm. “For those who aren’t on Facebook, my longtime partner and I got married last year in the church where we met in 1997. I am still adjusting to calling Mark my husband. I am at another contract position at Wells Fargo. The work is interesting in an esoteric manner.” • “As a one-year senior,” says Thomas Farrell, “the NMH experience prepared me for life. After graduating Cornell, I headed west on a cross-country trip. I remain in California, now living and working in Newport Beach, and am
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