Biography
Lake Effect Winds is a woodwind quintet based in the St. Joseph, Michigan area. The quintet performs a wide variety of music, ranging from Baroque and Classical, to 20th century styles such as show tunes, big band, and patriotic. Repertoire also includes Christmas and wedding music. Since its formation in 1997, the group has performed for numerous social events and parties, weddings, church services and outdoor concerts. Notable performances include the WAUS Second Sunday Series at Fernwood Gardens, the Riverfront Concert Series in both South Haven and Niles, Monday Musical programs, and the Toast ‘n Jam children’s concert at the Dowagiac Dogwood Festival. The group has also presented educational assemblies for elementary through high school students.
Members include:
Jan Street - Flute
Jan graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education, with minors in music and integrated creative arts, and earned a Master of Arts degree in classroom teaching from Michigan State University. She has served as a mentor teacher for intern and probationary teachers and as chairperson for the school improvement team. Jan teaches first grade at the Creative Arts/Gifted and Talented Academy magnet school in Benton Harbor.
In addition to teaching private lessons, she has worked as a woodwind instructor with the Berrien Springs marching band, performed as a soloist in ensembles for weddings and church programs, and has participated in pit orchestras for a number of musical theater productions.
Jan also plays flute in the St. Joseph Municipal Band and the Southshore Concert Band.
Ruthann Adams - Oboe
Ruthann received her Bachelor of Science degree in both Music and History from Indiana University at South Bend. She studied oboe with Lois Cahil of the South Bend Symphony, Carl Sonik at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Grover Schultz of the Chicago Symphony and Joan Wright of the Fort Wayne Symphony.
She is a free lance musician in the Michiana area on both oboe and English Horn and is a former member of the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra, the Elkhart Municipal Band and the Elkhart Symphony Orchestra.
Ruthann is a certified massage therapist and owner of Adams Therapeutic Massage in Edwardsburg. She also works part time as a medical technologist at Elkhart General Hospital.
Melody Prather - Clarinet
Melody graduated from Anderson University with Bachelor's degrees in both Music Business and Business Management and a minor in Voice Performance. She has participated in musicals, operas, choirs, recitals, band, and studio recording sessions. In addition to teaching private voice and piano lessons, Melody has sung in choirs and ensembles across the United Stated, Mexico, and Europe including the Indianapolis Symphony Chorus, Wichita Symphony Chorus, and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Chorus where she has been a soloist.
Melody sings for weddings, conferences, parties and special events. She is also the piano accompanist for the St. Joseph High School Choirs and is a substitute teacher in St. Joseph Schools.
She also plays clarinet in the St. Joseph Municipal Band, various pit orchestras and has played with the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra.
DeLain Bomer - French Horn
DeLain Bomer received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He has studied with Marvin C. Howe, Willard Zirk and Mary Kihslinger. He has performed with the Toledo Symphony, Livonia Symphony, Plymouth Symphony, Adrian Symphony, the University of Michigan's Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the Ann Arbor Comic Opera Guild and the Hillsdale Community Orchestra. He performed for 11 years with the Ann Arbor Brass Quintet, and is currently the Applied French Horn Instructor and Adjunct Music Instructor at Lake Michigan College.
Lisa Bubar - Bassoon
Lisa received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Wheaton, Illinois. She has taught general and vocal music at the elementary and middle school levels in public school in Illinois.
Lisa teaches private bassoon lessons to students throughout southwest Michigan, from elementary to college level. She is adjunct basson instructor at both Andrews University and Lake Michigan College.
She performs with the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonietta, and the St. Joseph Municipal Band. She also subs with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and does other free lance performing in the Michiana area.