Our Staff

Mrs. Lori Beason, Director of the Elementary and Youth Choirs and the Elementary Music Classes, is the mom of 2 homeschool-graduated children who are alumni of WMHFA. She holds a BA degree in Vocal Music from Cornerstone University and a BS degree in Music Education from Calvin College. Lori has taught music & directed choirs in schools, churches and has given private piano, voice, and clarinet lessons for 40 years. She has also performed as a vocal/instrumental soloist, in choirs, vocal ensembles, instrumental ensembles, and accompanist. This is her 19th year of teaching at WMHFA. She credits her high school band/choir teacher, Mr. Robert Stiles, for inspiring her to pursue music and teaching as a career.

Dr. Timothy Cuffman, Orchestra Director, is an active teacher and performer based out of Kalamazoo. He teaches a large private studio of violin and viola students from all levels of age and experience level. He has taught beginning strings in the Vicksburg Community Schools, he teaches Aural Skills in the Music Theory Department at Western Michigan University, and is the director of the Crescendo Fiddlers in Kalamazoo. As a performer, he is the Assistant Principal Second Violin of the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the South Bend Symphony. He received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa in Violin Performance and Pedagogy with a secondary area in Viola Performance.

Mr. Nick DeBone, Director of Advanced Band and Big Band 2, is a home school dad of 4 children. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Central Michigan University. He has over 12 years experience teaching K-12 music, directing Middle School/High School bands, and Jazz Bands. Nick has also been actively involved as a worship team member playing various instruments for nearly 20 years.

Dr. Albert Harrison, Director of Concert Band and Big Band 1 in Grand Rapids, received his music education degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University BMED, and the University of Illinois MS and ED.D. He recently retired from Taylor University in Indiana where he served as the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble Director and Chair of the Music, Theatre and Dance Department. Under his leadership the Concert Band participated in numerous tours in the Midwest, East Coast and Southeastern U.S. The Jazz Ensemble participated in the Aquinas Jazz Festival and made 10 appearances at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Dr. Harrison currently plays trombone in the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, In Full Swing, and the Rush Creek Worship Team.

Mr. Kevin Levandoski, Percussion Instructor, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Western Michigan University and has been working with high school percussion programs across West Michigan since 2010. He has worked with programs including Rockford, Reeths-Puffer, Northview, Byron Center, and Jenison, and currently serves as the Percussion Director at both Reeths-Puffer and Rockford High School. As a performer, Kevin earned a 2nd place percussion finish with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012 and was a member of the 1st place World Class ensemble at the WGI 2013 Finals with Rhythm X. He enjoys teaching students at all levels and is passionate about helping them grow musically and confidently as performers.

Mrs. Wendy March, Founder of WMHFA and instructor of the Beginning and Intermediate Bands in Grand Rapids, and Assistant Director of Northern Lights Marching Band, is a homeschool mom of 6 children with a BA degree in Secondary Music Education. She has been teaching and performing for over 30 years in choirs, orchestra, bands, private instruction, and consulting. In 1996 she started WMHFA with the desire to provide homeschool students the opportunity to learn how to play musical instruments.

Emily Miersma, KZ Color Guard Instructor, is wife to Ryan and a homeschool mom of seven. She attended Western Michigan University as a music education major before starting a family and taking on her favorite role as "Mom." Emily has marching band experience at the high school and college levels, spending two years on WMU's Bronco Band Color Guard team. She also enjoys teaching music and directing choirs at a local homeschool co-op and her church.

Mr. Joel Snyder, Senior Choir and Chorale instructor, is a highly sought-after choral director, vocalist, and composer. With a Bachelor of Church Music (BJU), a Master of Voice Performance (EMU), and a Master of Conducting (WMU), his expertise spans the depth and breadth of music. He holds Level 2 certification in the Kodaly Method. Mr. Snyder also founded the talented Kalamazoo-based Celebris Ensemble in 2018. An active poet and composer, his works are published by SBMP, TUX People's Music, and MusicSpoke. He performs with professional ensembles and leads choirs to consistent success at festivals and competitions. Passionate about his singers reaching their full potential, he maintains a thriving voice studio.

Mrs. Elisabeth Sooy, Director of Beginning, Intermediate, and Symphony Orchestras, Middle School Choir, and Fiddle Class in Grand Rapids, has been playing violin and piano since the age of three. She played in Youth Orchestras, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, the Firelands Symphony in Ohio, and various pit operas and musicals. She has been an Orchestra and Choir director and accompanist for over 30 years. Elisabeth was the Director of the Metropolitan Choir of Praise, Director and Vocal coach at Grace Bible College, and has led many local church choirs and other small ensembles. She directs the Pit Orchestra for HPA in Kalamazoo, and is certified with the Suzuki Association. Her greatest desire is to honor God and bring out the best in all those she works with, to His glory.

Lori Staufer, Color Guard Director, is wife to Mark and homeschool mother of eight (six high school grads, five married college grads) and grandmother of two. She holds a BS in mechanical engineering from U of M. After working a few years, she became full-time domestic engineer of the Staufer home. In high school, Lori was a Color Guard Captain and attended bands of America Color Guard camp. Since 2011 she has coached many girls, including her five daughters, in color guard.

Mr. Nate VanderWerf, Director of Big Band 3, received a Bachelor's Degree in Trumpet Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University. He has performed as a freelancing trumpeter with a wide array of ensembles, venues, and artists around the West Michigan area. Nate is well versed in teaching all styles of trumpet: including classical, jazz, solo, chamber, and lead trumpet; and all skill levels of trumpet from beginner to advanced.

Mr. Rick Wiltse, Handbell Director, earned a BM from Alma College and a Masters from Western Michigan University. He taught public school general and instrumental music for 15 years and is currently Director of Programming at Allegro School of Music in Grand Rapids. He has been involved with handbell choirs beginning in 1984 and is also an avid vocalist, trombonist, and electric bass player, having performed with numerous concert bands, big bands, praise bands, orchestras, and choirs.