Meet the members of AOTA!
Trying to find the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, I boarded the train of life passing through deep rivers, sky-scraping mountains, and concrete forests. On this journey, the mixture of harmonies, dissonances, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells proved that I still have many passengers to meet and new places to see. So tell everybody I'm on my way.
Hi! My name is Natasha, but everyone calls me Natasha. I’m a sophomore and I hail from the greatest city on Earth, Scranton, Pennsylvania. My hobbies besides music include improv, Hooter’s, and writing action movies. I’m a neuroscience major and I aspire to be the world’s best boss and write a book someday…knock on wood…on second thought don’t. It’s not that I’m superstitious but I am a little stitious. Going into my sophomore year, my philosophy is basically this, and this is something that I live by, and I always have, and I always will: Don't ever, for any reason, do anything, to anyone, for any reason, ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you've been, ever, for any reason whatsoever. I know this year will be long and hard, that’s what she said, but I am excited for what is to come! Oh, and I love “The Office”.
Rachel is a senior (let’s not talk about it) at Drew University, studying music, business and writing. She’s been singing since she was in the womb and has been music directing All of the Above going on three years! When Rachel isn’t singing with AOTA, she’s probably singing somewhere else – in one of two choral ensembles at Drew, by herself with a guitar, or with Cape Harmony, Cape Cod’s professional all-female a cappella group. Rachel is a sushi-fanatic and a dog-enthusiast, and is so excited to see what this year holds for AOTA (see above, Rachel watching senior year fly by)!
Jonathan Van Dongen is a Senior at Drew University, hailing from Allamuchy (middle of nowhere), New Jersey, studying psychology and political science. Although he may seem reserved at times, Jonathan has spent decades honing his obnoxious personality and practicing instances of public disturbances as the eldest of three children in the Van Dongen clan. You may find him around campus singing, humming, shouting, or really just making random noises (anything to be the center of attention). When he’s not busy being a stellar student, prominent campus leader, or performer, he enjoys traffic, paper cuts, used coffee filters, ringworm, and the smell of burnt popcorn. Jonathan is currently accepting applications for an escort/bodyguard to protect him from strangers, small animals, butterflies, bumblebees, and his mother—you never know when there may be an attacker—and may be contacted at 1-866-740-4531.
Victoria is a senior Sociology major who is super excited for her final year at Drew. Besides long walks on the beach, Victoria spends her time running with the Drew Cross Country team and volunteering with her fellow Civic Scholars. Cats, flowers, and Auntie Anne's pretzels are the way to her heart. Her biggest accomplishment is finally being able to do a cartwheel and toning down her way too eager a cappella bop. Cheers to her final year with her AOTA fam!
Samantha DePierro, widely known as the Morgan Freeman of acapella, has worked her entire life to become a member of AOTA, going through grueling physical and mental training for hours upon hours everyday in order to be in top condition. She says that her biggest challenge through the process was all the paparazzi and fame, though she has remarkably remained one of the most humble humans on earth. She winds down by responding to fan mail while petting her dog, Cammy, and kittens, Nitro and Houdini, all of whom have lucrative pet modeling careers. She hopes to bring world peace and finally fold the perfect origami swan by the end of her AOTA career.
Hello, my name is Samantha DePierro, oops did I say DePierro? I meant Samantha Lacey. I wrote this with as little help as possible.. Anyway, I'm widely known as the Morgan Freeman of acapella, I have worked my entire life to become a member of AOTA, going through grueling physical and mental training for hours upon hours everyday in order to be in top condition. I would have to say that my biggest challenge through the process has been all the paparazzi and fame, though I have remarkably remained one of the most humble humans on earth. I like to wind down by responding to fan mail while petting my dog, Cammy, ... oops I did it again, I meant Zoey, and my kittens, Annabelle and Pumpkin, all of whom have lucrative pet modelling careers. I hope to bring world peace and finally fold the perfect origami swan by the end of my AOTA career.
Work Cited
Spears, Britney (2000). "Oops!... I Did It Again"
Work Cited
Spears, Britney (2000). "Oops!... I Did It Again"
Philipe is a senior who is studying Theatre and English at Drew University (go figure). In addition to singing with AOTA, Philipe has the hobbies of a your average everyday grandma. These include, watching the FoodNetwork, journaling, guilting you about your life, and disguising as Tilda Swinton in grocery stores. That's it...bye.
Catherine is a senior this year at Drew University and is the current Business Manager of All of the Above. Catherine is originally from the great city of Boston, Massachusetts, so it is no surprise that she has a great love for the Boston Red Sox and road rage. In addition to All of the Above, Catherine sings with the Drew Chorale and Chorale Union. This past summer she spent on Cape Cod, singing with the professional all female a cappella group, Cape Harmony. She will graduate this May (hopefully) with a Major in Music and Minor in Business. When Catherine is not singing or writing her senior thesis, you can find her either napping or watching a cheesy Rom-Com.
Lexi is a freshman at Drew university who has been singing for 12 years. She is an alto, and a biology major. She hopes to go to med school one day to be a radiologist. She is actually a higher form of life that is not from this planet and all of your are pions by comparison unless you're an upperclassman...then in that case you're automatically above her. In her free time she likes to draw, tumble, do yoga, and paint. She also likes video games, and her spirit animal is a bunny.
My name is David Van Dongen and I am a sophomore here at Drew.I sing every day, but I only rap caucasianally. Gifted napper. Often unreliable. Easily distracte
Emma Barakat is a senior at Drew University, studying Theatre Arts, Music and Arts Administration. She grew up in a family of musical geniuses and only communicates through song. As the 6th child of 7, she has no qualms with sharing and really goes the extra mile to ensure she gets some of your food or drink. You will often find her barefoot, wandering mindlessly around campus with her ukulele, Robin, in tow. She plays rugby when feeling particularly violent, works in the theatre’s technical shop handling giant saws and is in the process of writing a senior thesis, so if she is dead by the end of the spring semester, it will be from one of those three things. Come to the funeral to hear AOTA sing for her one last time!
Nick is a senior at Drew University, a music major, and a bass/beatboxer. He enjoys video games, opera, Harlequin romance novels, and collecting pictures of celebrities' bald spots. Despite being eight months pregnant, a detective with the NYPD for 30 years, and having lost all four of his limbs in the Great Food Fight of '89, Nick is dedicated to AOTA and loves to perform year-round with his friends.