The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra

Personnel

Paula McLaughlin

Paula is the sister of Becky Lloyd and Anita Wheeler! She has been singing for 25 years in some of Kansas City’s most prestigious events, including: The headline act for the 2001 Country Club Plaza Thanksgiving Day Lighting Ceremony. The Country Club Plaza Summer Series. Zona Rosa Summer On The Square. The Plaza Art Fair. The Village West Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Paula has enjoyed being a member of the Prince Of Peace church choir for 24 years. In addition to singing with The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Paula sings with a 6-piece variety band, and a 5-piece jazz ensemble in the KC area.

Becky Lloyd

Becky has been singing for 30 years, and is the sister of Paula McLaughlin and Anita Wheeler! She has been a frequent performer with: The Kansas City Symphony. The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. The Summerfest Chamber Music Festival. The Grammy award-winning Kansas City Chorale. Becky has performed all over the U.S. and the world, including Carnegie Hall and South Korea. She is the soloist and director of the children’s choir at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church in KC.

Anita Wheeler

Anita is the sister of Becky Lloyd and Paula McLaughlin, and has been singing for more than 25 years. Anita studied music at Kansas University. She toured the Western states with a band that shared a marquee with B.B. King, and performed alongside Grammy nominee Johnny Lee. Anita has been a popular entertainer in the Plaza and Westport scene for many years.

Rudy Amato

Rudy has been singing for 41 years. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y. Rudy has been performing in Kansas City now for 22 years. He has performed locally and nationally for various Italian festivals, including most recently in West Virginia with Joe Piscapo of “Saturday Night Live” fame. In addition to singing with The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Rudy has performed nationally with many other big bands.

Tim Doherty

Tim has been performing for 31 years. He graduated from Kansas University, and then the University Of Northern Colorado with his Master’s In Music. Tim has performed in Busch Gardens in Virginia, as well as on the Holland America Cruise Line. Concurrently, Tim taught music in Texas at the junior high, high school, and college levels. Tim has performed with Peter Erskine, Frank Mantooth, The Manhattan Transfer, and Dave Weckl. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Tim performs with several other big bands and combos in the KC area.

Brad Gregory

Brad has been performing for 39 years, starting his musical career in Edmonton, Canada. He earned his Jazz Performance degree at The University Of North Texas, and then moved to New York. This allowed Brad to perform with acts such as Bob Crosby, Myron Floren, and Les Elgart. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Brad performs with several other big bands and combos in the KC area.

Mark Howard

Mark has been performing for 29 years, and studied music at Kansas University. Mark performed around the world for 4 years on the Princess Cruise Line. During this time he performed with Pete Christlieb, Ernie Watts, Robert Klein, and John Davidson., to name a few. Mark has performed in numerous Broadway shows around KC. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Mark continues to perform with various blues, jazz, and concert bands.

Marlin Cooper

Marlin has been performing for 50 years. He graduated from Ottawa University, Pittsburgh State University, and the Conservatory of Bordeaux in France. Marlin’s music teaching career spanned 43 years throughout the KC area. Marlin was given a lifetime membership in The Kansas City Musicians for 40 years of continued membership, and has been recognized by the Jazz Museum as an “Elder Statesman” for his work in the KC area. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Marlin has performed with many other big bands in KC.

Jim Neiburger

Jim has been performing for 27 years, and comes from a long line of family musicians. Jim studied music at Roosevelt University/Chicago Musical College. He performs with several other big bands in KC in addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra.

Jeff Hamer

Jeff has been performing for 30 years. He attended the Conservatory Of Music at UMKC, and has been one of most sought after trombonists in the area. Jeff has performed with many notable artists, including the Jimmy Dorsey and Guy Lombardo orchestras. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Jeff can be heard as a featured soloist on more than a dozen CD releases from many big bands in the KC area.

Howard Abernathy

Howard has been performing for 81 years!! He attended Kansas University, Washburn College, and The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. After leaving college, Howard performed with Gene Krupa, Will Bradley, and Frankie Masters. Howard joined the Navy in 1942 as a musician, and spent the next 3 years in the Navy Special Services Band, as their trombonist and arranger. Howard has been performing and arranging for many Kansas City bands over the last couple of decades.

Lindsey Williams

Lindsey has been performing for 30 years. Dr. Williams received two degrees from the University Of Kansas, as well as a PhD in Music Education from Florida State. He is currently on the music education faculty at UMKC. Dr. William's public school teaching includes elementary, junior, and high school programs. He is an active conductor for music educators throughout the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Lindsey has performed with such legendary artists as: Peter Erskine, Louis Bellson, Jiggs Whigam, and The Manhattan Transfer.

Bob Koester

Bob has been performing for 50 years. He received his Bachelor Of Music from Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Bob performed and recorded with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has performed on the Las Vegas circuit in the Tropicana, Desert Inn, and Union Plaza hotels. His commercial and recording history includes: Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Juliet Prowse, Frankie Avalon, The Spinners, and The Ojay’s. Bob has performed with just about every big band in the KC area in addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra.

Mike Weisner

Mike has been performing for 48 years. He earned his degree at Ft. Hays State University, and his Master’s degree at Northern Michigan University. Mike spent 17 years teaching music in the public school system and college. He has performed with the Sintas Family in Las Vegas, and the Kansas City Symphony. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Mike continues to lead and perform with several different bands and combos in the KC area.

John Keady

John has been performing for 40 years, and earned his music degree from Emporia State University. After college, John traveled in Las Vegas with several big bands and show bands. John then spent 15 years as a band director in the Oklahoma public school system. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, John stays busy with jazz bands, concert bands, and Broadway shows in the KC area.

Gary Lausier

Gary has been performing for 59 years. He earned his music degree at Sienna College in New York. Gary spent many years studying with David Bournazian of the Neal Hefti band, as well as Nick Brignola. Gary played with many bands in the Northeast U.S, even during his time in the Air Force. After moving to Kansas City, Gary has continued performing with other bands in addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra.

Dwight Rhodes

Dwight has been performing for 46 years. He studied music at Stephens College, Missouri University/Columbia, & Truman State University. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Dwight still performs with many big bands, ensembles, and concert bands throughout the KC area.

Tom Harrington

Tom has been performing for 48 years. He served in the Army Band at Ft. Leavenworth, and then earned a degree in Music Education at Kansas University. Tom has taught music in the Topeka and Olathe public schools for many years. His local experience includes several other bands and combos besides The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra.

Eric Griffin

Eric has been performing for 31 years. He graduated with a music education degree from Missouri State University, and a master’s degree in music education from Kansas University. Eric has taught band for the last 13 years at Olathe East High School. Besides performing in the KC area with The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra and other groups, Eric is a frequent composer of commercial music, with several radio broadcast credits to his name.

Ron Ernst

Ron has been performing for 48 years. He started his music career in St. Louis, playing in a multitude of drum corps, concert, jazz and rock bands. He currently performs on Sunday’s at The Church Of The Resurrection in Leawood. Ron also performs many Broadway shows at Union Station, The Jewish Community Center, and Theater In The Park. Ron is proud to be the leader of The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, performing with the best musicians Kansas City has to offer!