Loretta started on the Accordion at age 8 while living in New Westminister, British Columbia. After her family moved to the United States in 1949 Loretta studied accordion with Tony Facciuto and voice with Jim Vanderwekin. Loretta played professionally and taught accordion from age 16. After graduation from Everett High School in 1956, Loretta became a Music Major at Everett Junior College and took music classes at the University of Washington while teaching accordion at three music studios. Loretta was also very involved in singing. In addition to singing in her church choir, she was for many years a member of a double quartet and was in demand as a soloist. By 1967 Loretta and her husband had three children (soon to be 4) and a rapidly growing family business, so she discontinued teaching accordion. Loretta continued to entertain at many functions either as a soloist, an accordionist, or with the double quartet. Since moving to Providence Point in 2002 Loretta has performed as an accordionist at many functions in the area. In 2003 she joined Issaquah Singers and greatly enjoys the music and the fellowship. She brings her endearing love of music to every performance.
Rick Fogel is a distinguished hammer dulcimer performer, luthier and teacher at festivals and venues across the country. He displays virtuosity in his performance of classical, traditional, Celtic, and original compositions, captivating audiences with his mastery of the hammer dulcimer and his passionate enjoyment of music. Rick plays three hammer dulcimers, with a span of over seven octaves. His musical tastes are diverse, covering a wide range of styles and traditions and changing easily from old-timey to classical. Whether powerful or tender, Rick's music moves the spirit. In 1975, Rick first learned to build and play the dulcimer in Charlottesville, Virginia, after receiving a Master's degree in nuclear physics. He has since founded the Whamdiddle Dulcimer Company, built hundreds of dulcimers, performed and taught workshops on building and playing dulcimers. He collaborated with the Seattle Symphony on a movie score and recording and was featured in a TV documentary for PBS and NHK Japan on the "Craftsmen of the World" series. Details about his dulcimers, recordings, lessons and classes can be found at www.whamdiddle.com.
Dorothy has been singing in or conducting choirs since she was in kindergarten. She sang in her church choirs from the age of five, started piano lessons when she was eight years old, and organ lessons when she was fourteen. She has served as a church organist, played percussion in junior and high school bands, and was pianist for her high school jazz band. She also accompanied school choirs throughout middle and high schools. In high school she had a brief encounter as a string bass player and started voice lessons, which continued throughout college and beyond. She coached a country band, directed a college glee choir, two church choirs and a hand bell choir prior to Issaquah Singers in 1987. Dorothy holds a Bachelors degree with a double major in Music and Education and a focus in choral conducting from Whitworth University. She has studied under Dr. Frank Green at Washington State University and Dr. Thomas Tavener and Dr. Milton Johnson at Whitworth University. In 1997 she earned a Masters of Education from Seattle University. She inherited a large amount of vintage music from her mother and has added to the collection over the years. She uses this original music to create arrangements for Issaquah Singers.
Doug's musical influences were early Country, Rockabilly, Beattle, Stones, Elvis, Surf, Jazz, 60's & 70's rock, & Blues. His early drum influences were jazz drummers, Gene Krupa and Budy Rich. His drum teachers were