Strangers in Harmony

Eric

Eric Chung is an award-winning veteran of the collegiate and professional a cappella scene, and he is thrilled to be the primary music director of this merry band of Strangers. A classically-trained violinist starting back at age four while growing up in Michigan, he started his singing career with the Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones, for whom he sang tenor and vocal percussion and wrote about fifty arrangements. He has since founded, directed, and/or sung with several semi-professional a cappella groups; he is best known as the founder, director, and primary arranger/songwriter for the acclaimed Boston-based pop/rock vocal band Downtown Crossing (DTX).

In 2008, Eric was recognized as the winner of the nationwide A Cappella Originals songwriting contest for his song "Memory Is a Minefield," which was written while a member of DTX and is now a staple in the Strangers' repertoire. Recently, Eric's solo work also earned a nomination under the 2010 A Cappella Community Awards (sponsored by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America).

Other past projects include directing the New York-based pop/jazz vocal group Stay Tuned (New York Regional Harmony Sweepstakes runners-up under his leadership), directing the Gross Prophets at the University of Chicago, and serving as a judge for the annual International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella and International Championship of High School A Cappella competitions. He also teaches a cappella singing classes as an instructor for PDX Vox, a 60-member community a cappella organization based in Portland. Eric recently relesed his first solo CD of a cappella originals; check out his music site.

R.C.

Ramsay "RC" Cowlishaw is moved by three things in his life: Music, laughter and art. Being in the Strangers satisfies two of those (at any given time). RC's avocation is a karaoke host and DJ in the Portland area (with over 70 weddings to his record -with zero divorces!) In addition, he's been a member of the Portland Improv Group and is one of the Pacific Northwest's leading authorities on the art of origami (Japanese Paper Folding), having taught in schools throughout the northwest and attending special seminars across the country.

RC has been involved in a cappella music since his high school choir days. He's been in barbershop choruses all over Oregon, formed a collegiate group called "Three Hits and a Miss", and when he moved back to his home town of Portland he co-founded "The Rainy Knights" (orignally "The Commodes") who have opened for the likes of Cake, Hall & Oates, and KC & The Sunshine Band. He brings to the Strangers his broad vocal range as well as an uncanny memory for lyrics- as of late the boys have been improvising on the streets of Portland, and RC's knowledge base of songs (from his karaoke experience) have served them well..

Somebody drop a hat! The Strangers will sing if you do!

Mike

Mike Mendyke started his first a cappella group in sixth grade, and has been singing in groups ever since. A graduate of MIT with a degree in aerospace engineering, Mike believes that every a cappella group should have at least one rocket scientist. Mike cut his contemporary collegiate a cappella teeth with the MIT Logarhtyhms

In the '90s Mike sang bass for three Boston-area groups: Extra Cheese, Five O'Clock Shadow, and Alta Voz. In 2000 Mike met film and television legend Dick Van Dyke and formed a quartet called Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix. The Vantastix regularly perform at hospitals and charity events throughout the greater Los Angeles area, and have made numerous television appearances.

In June of 2010 The Vantastix performed at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC for President Obama and 600 of his closest friends.

When in Portland Mike loves to harmonize with the rest of The Strangers, providing a solid bass foundation for the group's lush leads and testosterone-challenged higher voices.

Shawn

Shawn Dudley (aka "the kit," "human drum machine," "beatboxer extraordinaire," 'the coolest thing since sliced bread") is the more percussive half of the strangers "rhythm section." Shawn received a degree in vocal performance at Blue Mountain CC in Eastern Oregon where he was first introduced to acapella music. There he sang with the gold medal winning BMCC vocal jazz group. This was the start of Shawn's acapella experience which enabled him, in 2000, to co-found his first acapella quintet, "Four guys and a chick," with which he sang for about a year and a half. After an odd disease affected his vocal chords and stopped him from singing, Shawn learned guitar and vocal percussion. He started playing guitar in a church band and trying to get his voice back into shape. Enter "Spare Change," Shawn's second group. Shawn beatboxed with Spare Change around Eastern Oregon for a couple of years and after a long hiatus eventually, in 2005, reunited in Portland for a single concert.

Shawn has performed vocal percussion with vocal groups, rock bands, church bands and orchestras. He has also taught beatboxing lessons off and on since 2004. To use his voice and beatboxing skills, Shawn reverted to karaoke where he met and befriended karaoke host and future band mate, RC Cowlishaw. With no vocal group to call home, Shawn started singing and playing guitar and bass guitar for Potters Hands Christian Church, where he leads worship and still considers his church home. Shawn has also entered and won several talent shows with his beatboxing skills.

Now with Strangers In Harmony, Shawn looks forward to keeping his musical schedule booming and eventually becoming a famous acapella rock star. Remember to get his autograph now...or forever hold your peace.

David

David Anderson (aka "Ghoti" - pronounced "fish" or "phish") grew up under the tutelage of his classically trained father. David expanded his vocal experience in his school's quartet The Franklin Four. In high school, he also played the alto, tenor, and baritone Saxes in Jazz Band.

In 2002, David was awarded a vocal performance scholarship to Brigham Young University, eventually switching to psychology.

While in college, David came across a jazzy little group called Vocal Point. Vocal Point welcomed him into the fold, and gave David a group and opportunity to arrange, perform, and win several awards, including the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella competition in 2006.

Longing for an outlet to express his creativity after a five-year musical hiatus, David was grateful to become an assistant instructor for Portland community a cappella choir PDX Vox. While working with the choir he met Eric Chung, who quickly and wisely introduced David to the rest of The Strangers, which led to an audition and a quick welcome into the ranks of Strangers in Harmony!