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VS '24
Ryan Dirgins
'22 - '24
BIO
School: Wesleyan University
Collegiate Group: The Wesleyan Spirits
Solos: Leaving on a Jet Plane, Who's Lovin' You, Stacy's Mom
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Ryan recently graduated from Wesleyan University where he studied film and music. He is from Pleasantville New York, a small village populating only 7,000 people. At school, Ryan sang tenor and baritone with the Wesleyan Spirits. In his free time, you can find Ryan taking long runs along the beach or relaxing in a hammock writing songs.
Vic White
'23 - '24
BIO
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Vic joins us for his first VS summer from Columbia, CT. He is a rising Junior at the University of Connecticut where he studies Music Education and is a Resident Assistant for the Special Interest Housing on campus. Vic is currently the music director of the UConn Conn-Men, and has been singing with the group since the Fall of 2022. When he isn't singing, you can find Vic sewing, writing music, or experimenting with his sourdough starter. Fun fact, Vic is a professional Balloon Twister!
Drew Weddig
'23 - '24
BIO
School: Wesleyan University
Collegiate Group: The Wesleyan Spirits
Solos: I'll Be, Captain's Song, Harmony Hall, Hey Jude
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Drew recently graduated from Wesleyan University, where he studied mathematics and theatre. He is from Erie, Colorado, a town just outside of Boulder. At school, Drew sang tenor with the Wesleyan Spirits. He also acted in and music directed productions put on by the student-run theatre company he founded alongside his friends, called Spike Tape. And, if he couldn't get enough music in his life, he writes songs and plays instruments in his free time.
Alex Kaplan
'23 - '24
BIO
School: Wesleyan University
Collegiate Groups: The Wesleyan Spirits, Triple Major, Slender James
Solos: California Dreamin', Runaround Sue, Valerie, Under the Boardwalk, Insomniac
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Alex joins us for his second VS summer from Westfield, New Jersey. He is a rising senior at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut where he is majoring in Computer Science and American Government and minoring in Games and Interactive Media Design. Alex is a member of the Wesleyan Spirits and is the Director of Triple Major. When he isn’t singing, you can find Alex playing piano, video games, Dungeons and Dragons, or tossing a frisbee around. Fun fact, Alex’s favorite song is Roundabout by Yes.
Ian Albanese
'23 - '24
BIO
School: Connecticut College
Collegiate Group: Co Co Beaux
Solos: Doctor My Eyes, So Much In Love, St. James Infirmary, Tupelo Honey, Southern Cross, Southern Nights, Copacabana
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Ian graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in English and theater. Post grad he plans to drop off the face of the earth and become the first air bass guitar player on the Jovian moon of Europa.
Ethan Van Valkenburgh
'23 - '24
BIO
School: William & Mary
Collegiate Group(s): William & Mary Cleftomaniacs and No Ceiling
Solo(s): Beyond the Sea
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Ethan is a rising senior-ish at William and Mary, where he studies Chemistry with his left brain and Music with his right. He was the music director for No Ceiling and The Cleftomaniacs at W&M, but has been demoted to just Assistant Music Director for the Vineyard Sound after "the incident". Ethan is from the Blue Ridge Mountains near Lynchburg, VA, which explains why he viciously despises any food produced by the ocean - and yes, he's tried it before. This is his second year singing on the island, but when not singing Ethan can be found hiding in the basement of our house working on new arrangements or sleeping at obscure times throughout the day. Fun fact: Ethan is his middle name, but his first name remains a mystery, lost to the flow of time.
Owen Stone
'23 - '24
BIO
School: Emory University
Collegiate Group: No Strings Attached
Solos: (What a) Wonderful World, Easy, Sister Golden Hair
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Owen is a filmmaker and photographer with a degree in Film & Media studies from Emory University. Hailing from his birthplace of Pleasantville, New York, Owen passes the time climbing local rocks, writing surreal stories, photographing interesting phenomena, and writing poetry while biting a rose. At Emory, he was the Vice President of his a cappella group for several years, though he secretly was in total control from behind the curtain.
Nikko Bannon
'23 - '24
BIO
School: William & Mary
Collegiate group: Gentlemen of the College
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
This is Nikko's second summer with the Vineyard Sound. He is originally from Richmond, VA, and studies at the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg. At school, he is working on a major in Business (with a focus on marketing) and a minor in film. When he isn't saving kittens from burning orphanages, he is lurking just around the corner... right behind you.
Luke Olsen
'24
BIO
School: UConn
Solos: Can’t Help falling in Love
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Luke is a rising senior at the University of a Connecticut, where he studies Music Education. He is originally from Stafford Springs, CT and this is his first time on Martha’s Vineyard. Along with this, it is also his first time singing in an acapella group. When he’s not singing, he can be found traveling and playing the saxophone with UConn’s pep band.
Alex Kowal
'24
BIO
School: Connecticut College
Collegiate Group: CoCo Beaux
Solos: House of the Rising Sun
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Kowal is from some place in New York (nobody knows where), and has just recently graduated from Conn College with a degree in Anthropology and Linguistics. There, he was the vice president of CoCo Beaux and president of SCUDS improv. When he’s not singing or beatboxing, Kowal can be found writing poems, doing standup, and making specialty cocktails. After this summer in paradise, he hopes to be a celebrity bartender and an English teacher (at the same time, but not simultaneously).
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