Bryan Stratton – Director

Bryan believes that music is an integral aspect of life and finds great joy in helping others expand their skills in expressing themselves musically.  For him, it is important that all people have the opportunity to learn about music and be a part of something magical.  His musical taste and experience is eclectic, from singing Johnny Cash songs in front of his fourth-grade class to singing Handel’s Messiah with the Seattle Symphony Chorale.  He studied music theory with Bob Owren, composition, arranging and conducting with Ronald Smith, and he learned his conducting technique from Dr. Robert Scandrett at Western Washington University.

His conducting experiences include Music Director at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Seattle, Music Director of the West Seattle Jazz Choir and Conductor for the New Savoy Theater productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas.  He was Music Director for the musicals Quilters at Burien Little Theater and Anne of Green Gables with the Mountaineer Players.

He has composed and arranged music for many organizations in the Pacific Northwest including the Rainer Chamber Winds, Burlington-Edison Community Orchestra and Seattle Choral Company.  Bryan has recently completed a book of 20 lullaby arrangements for guitar and is currently working on a collection of 24 piano pieces for intermediate pianists titled Celebrations and Lamentations.

Bryan enjoys spending time at home with his wife, Victoria, and hanging out with his two adult children.  

Paul Stovall – Accompanist

Paul Stovall is a Seattle-based composer. An advocate for new music, Paul has had the privilege of performing contemporary works including Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians” as part of Western’s NowHearThis! modern music ensemble, as well as works by composers from the Pacific Northwest area. His music has been performed by the Seattle Opera, the Common Tone Music Festival, and Original Music/New Ideas (OM/NI) in El Paso, Texas. Paul holds degrees from Western Washington University, the Seattle Film Institute, and recently completed his work as a graduate teaching assistant at the Lionel Hampton School of Music (University of Idaho), where he studied composition with Ruby Fulton. Previous teachers include N. Lincoln Hanks, Jennifer Jolley, Roger Briggs, Todd Smith, Adam Haws, Charles Halka, Lesley Sommer, and Hummie Mann.

Bill Campbell – Bass and Tuba

Bill Campbell is a native of the northwest having grown up in Tacoma, Washington. Bill played in band, orchestra, and sang in choirs in high school and college. He’s always been a fan of listening to music, but took a long hiatus from playing music, until he picked up his instruments again in 1999. He has been accompanying Lake Washington Singers since 2002.

His collection of bass instruments include the upright string bass, the bass guitars, and tuba.  He enjoyed playing with a church ensemble, Webb of Life for more than ten years.

Bill graduated from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, and holds graduate degrees from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and City University in Bellevue.  He is also a graduate of the Missouri School of Auctioneering and auctions at charity events. 

Bill retired after a 45 year career as a corporate and airline pilot. He  serves as the president of his church’s campground board and is active in the Quiet Birdmen (pilots) Organization as well the American Volksport Club. 

 Tom Needham – Percussion

Tom has lived his entire life in the Pacific Northwest. He lived in the Issaquah, WA before moving to Carnation, WA in 1999.  Tom began playing drums in the fourth grade. He played in the school band, orchestra and jazz band from the fourth grade through college. In addition, he played in the pit band for school musicals in high school and college. He studied for two years with Bruce Ford, a drummer from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Tom played with the popular dance band, the Associated Sounds, for 27 years, playing music for all ages. Tom has also had the pleasure of sitting in with local swing and rock bands from time to time.  Since leaving the Associated Sounds, Tom plays drums during church services and with the King County Fire Fighters Bagpipes & Drums.  He has also played with Thalia Symphony Orchestra, in Seattle, and with the Moonlight Swing Orchestra, in Monroe.

Tom has played with the Lake Washington Singers since the 2004 winter concert season.

After 45 years of service, Tom retired from Eastside Fire & Rescue.  He held the rank of Captain.