Lewis E Sbrana, 1956 Music, says life after 33 years of teaching music in public schools continues to be sweet and productive. Sbrana founded a concert band for seniors in 1999 with 12 stalwarts and it’s now grown to over 80 members. Making music is the catalyst for bringing people together both artistically and socially.

Joe Newnam, 2005 Music, moved to Mammoth Lakes, Calif, upon receiving his music teaching credential. Newnam rebuilt a district-wide public school music program, which resulted in developing middle and high school jazz bands and choirs. After marrying his soulmate in 2009, the couple purchased a small ranch in Trinity County, where Newnam again rebuilt a very successful district wide music program. During this same time, Newnam released “Sitar Joe, Venus Tribe.” Selections from the album have been featured on syndicated radio shows, and broadcast worldwide from the Middle East to India and the U.S. Last year Newnam and his wife moved to a mountain forest log home on 20 acres in Washington, where the couple raises organic food and animals while caring for their lush forest. Newnam is currently the owner and lead instructor of a private music instruction studio in Washington, plays and studies Kirtan music with a working ensemble, and works professionally as an actor for a SyFy Channel series currently being filmed.