The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra

Personnel

Paula McLaughlin

Paula has been singing for 37 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 26 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.

Rudy Amato

Rudy has been singing for 53 years. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y. Rudy has been performing in Kansas City now for 26 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.

Bob Long

Bob has been performing for 38 years. He is the Director of Jazz Studies/Saxophone Instructor at Missouri Western State University. Bob holds a BME and a ME degree from Truman State University, with additional graduate studies at the University of Missouri/Kansas City Conservatory Of Music and dance. Bob has performed with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, the Manhattan Transfer, and the Des Moines Symphony.

Brad Gregory

Brad has been performing for 51 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 41 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 62 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 39 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 42 years. Jeff studied trombone at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music. As one of the most sought after trombonists in the area, he has performed on more than twenty recordings, including the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the New Vintage Big Band, Kerry Strayer Orchestra, Boulevard Big Band, and others. As a freelance artist he has performed with Natalie Cole, Debby Boone, and with such touring groups as the Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Guy Lombardo Orchestras.

Steve Dekker

Steve has been performing for 35 years. Steve is a freelance trombonist, composer, and music educator in the Kansas City area. Steve holds a BS and MM degree in trombone performance and jazz composition from Towson University. Steve taught arranging and jazz trombone at the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Stdeve was a member of the First U.S. Army Band where he played lead & jazz trombone. In addition to the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Steve performs regularly at Starlight Theater, The KC Music Hall, and KC Jazz Orchestra. Steve has performed with Frank Mantooth, Tom Harrell, and Eddie Daniels.

Chris White
Chris has been performing for over 30 years. He holds a Bachelors in Music from University of Central Oklahoma, and a Masters in Music from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. He has shared the stage with artists such as The Temptations, Byron Stripling, Kanye West, Sandy Patty, Point of Grace, and Michael W. Smith. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Chris maintains and active teaching a freelance performance schedule.

Paul Roberts

Paul has been performing for 38 years. Paul joined the Marines in the mid-1990's where he played bass trombone and led several music ensembles. Paul holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from the University of Missouri/Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. In addition to the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Paul regularly performs with a variety of groups including the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, where he also serves as a staff arranger.

Steve Molloy

Steve has been performing for over 44 years. He holds a Bachelor Of Music from St. Cloud University, and a Masters degree in trumpet performance from the University Of Kansas. While at KU, Steve taught studio trumpet, directed the Jazz Ensemble II, and performed as a member of the Kansas Brass Quintet. Steve is currently an Artist In Residence at Missouri Western University, where he teaches various jazz and brass ensembles. He also teaches applied brass at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Steve is a former lead trumpet player with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. In addition to the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Steve performs regularly at Starlight Theater, the Kansas City Rep, the Music Hall, and with the Fountain City Brass Band.

Jay Sollenberger

Jay Sollenberger has been performing for over 52 years. His music degrees are from Wichita State University and North Texas State University. Jay was a member of the jazz/rock group "Chase" in the 70's. He was the lead trumpet player for the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and the Buddy Rich Orchestra, and recorded albums with all 3 bands. After settling down in Kansas City in 1980, Jay has been a regular performer at Starlight Theater for many Broadway shows. Jay has recorded with every major big band in the Kansas City area, and is a member of several local brass quintets, in addition to the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra.

Bob Harvey

Bob has been performing for 49 years. He has a Bachelor's in Music from Missouri Western State College, and a Master's in Music from Michigan State University. Bob has taught music in the Lee's Summit, MO school district for the past 27 years. Bob was the lead trumpet for the TD Pack Band for the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, plays in the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, as well as many other big bands and orchestras in the Kansas City area.

Dwight Rhodes

Dwight has been performing for 58 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.

Danny Kaul

Danny has been performing for over 25 years. Originally from Tyndall, South Dakota, he currently holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Danny teaches band and orchestra in the Olathe School District and conducts the Olathe Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, he has performed at many KC Area musical theaters including: Quality Hill Playhouse, Chestnut Fine Arts Center and the White Theater.

Eric Griffin

Eric has been performing for 43 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 56 years. He started in St. Louis, playing in a multitude of drum corps, concert, symphonic, jazz, and rock bands. Ron was the lead drummer/percussionist at the Church Of The Resurrection orchestra in Leawood, Ks. for 16 years. Ron is a veteran of over 80 Broadway shows as a percussionist in Kansas City musical theaters including The Music Hall, Musical Theater Heritage/Crown Center, Union Station Theater, The White Theater, The Barn , Theater In The Park, the Folly Theater, and Just Off Broadway Theater. Ron is proud to be the leader of the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, performing with the best musicians Kansas City has to offer!!!

Ray DeMarchi

Ray has been performing for over 48 years. Ray completed his Masters Of Music degree at UMKC. He has served as a faculty member at the University of Missouri, Johnson County Community College, and William Jewell College where he teaches percussion and jazz. Ray has performed at Starlight Theater, the Lyric Opera, and the Kansas City Symphony. Ray has also performed with Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Steve Allen, Etta James, Kansas, The Moody Blues, The Who, and Chic Corea. Ray can be heard on over 30 CD's with various artists, and performs with many of the top jazz, rock, and soul bands in Kansas City!!

Nick Yoder

Nick has been performing for the past 16 years. He studied with Dr. Wayne Goins at Kansas State University. Nick has performed with BJ Thomas, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the Airmen Of Note. In addition to the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, Nick is a veteran of numerous Broadway musicians in theaters around Kansas City.