KeyStone is:
Joseph Gooch – Bass
Gooch began his musical career singing in the car with his family on the way to visit his grandparents. Although he began playing trombone in fourth grade, Gooch didn’t sing formally until he joined his high school choir as a junior. He’s been rumbling sub-sonically ever since. In college, he joined The Pennharmonics, with whom he competed in the ICCA competition three times. He has also sung with Vocal Fusion, A Cappella Project, and The A Cappella Project – Philadelphia. Gooch has also served as sound technician, webmaster, and technical support for every group he’s ever been a part of. This skill is now referred to as simply “Gooching it.”
Amy Howe – Soprano
Amy began singing before she could talk (according to her mom, anyway) and began studying voice at age twelve so she wouldn’t have to carry a cello around anymore. After graduating college, she sang with Savoire Faire at PSU; she has also sung and arranged for The A Cappella Project and The A Cappella Project – Philadelphia. Amy has a background in musical theater and education; she works as a part-time high school theater director and a full-time mom.
Jamie Howe – Vocal Percussion
Jamie is a vocal percussionist and singer with almost two decades of experience in all facets of a cappella, from singing to directing to arranging, and was one of the very first winners of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella’s Hot Lips Vocal Percussion award. Jamie has served as musical director for The Dreamers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Penn State’s A Cappella Project, and was a performing member of The Pennharmonics and The A Cappella Project – Philadelphia.
Josh Schrager – Tenor
Josh has been singing since age seven with the Philadelphia Boys Choir and then The Keystone State Boychoir. He has performed all over the world including Cuba, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Japan, Canada, Alaska, and Las Vegas. Josh has also had the privilege of performing the national anthem for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with various groups. He sang “God Bless America” solo at a Phillies game in 2009, which was a personal thrill for him considering he is an avid fan of sports in general, and the Phillies in particular. Josh has also sung with Temple University’s Broad Street Line and The A Cappella Project – Philadelphia.
Jennifer Steinberg – Alto
Jen started voice lessons at the age of five. Since then she’s studied under Kim Russell (private, West Chester), Lorraine Manz (Oberlin Conservatory of Music) and Bill Riley (private, New York). She’s done a variety of singing work, including: musical theatre, cabaret, choirs, rock bands, studio recordings, a cappella and the shower. She sang a cappella with The Dynamics and Yeomama at Oberlin and The A Cappella Project – Philadelphia. She once was a coloratura soprano, but (clearly) is no longer.
Tom West – Tenor
TomWest (spoken as one word) is a professional music geek. He has been performing, improvising, composing, arranging, conducting, and teaching music in some way, shape, or form since age three or so. Has over fifteen years of experience as a music education professional and has taught grades 3-12 in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Tom performed with and directed The Dreamers of Phi Mu Alpha and founded Four The Glory, the Phi Mu Alpha chapter barbershop quartet, at Penn State University in 1992. Tom is also the Director of Education for The A Cappella Project – Philadelphia.
