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| Bonnie Mohr Sherry
Nissen Robin Spurs Tammy
Trypucko |
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Bonnie Mohr – Harp; Soprano & Alto
I am often asked how I got started playing the harp. A lady down
the street played a small harp and mom thought that
was cute, so I started taking lessons. On my application to junior high
I wrote that I played the Irish harp, which is very small. They put me in
advanced orchestra and handed me a full-sized harp! I spent the next
six months trying to figure out what to do with it.
When I was young, I wasn’t very dedicated and didn’t practice
enough. The guitar was the instrument I loved. Playing the
harp in the 60’s was not cool. Everyone would say I looked like
an angel, which was the last thing I wanted to hear when I was
in junior or senior high school. When I went to college,
I quit! Although
Mom kept the harp in her living room as a nice piece
of furniture, God had another idea! One day during
my devotions, I was struck with the awareness of
how lucky I was to have the opportunity to play the
harp. I mentioned to Mom that I missed the harp and the very next week, |
got a call from the maintenance department asking where
I wanted to put the harp!
To teach me how to practice, God had to move me to
Minnesota! When it was 40 below outside and my new
husband, Garry (the only person I knew within 2,000 miles) was at seminary or
work, I had a choice to clean the house or practice. I
finally learned how to practice and career opportunities started coming my way. In
Minnesota, they had too many school teachers, (I graduated college with a teaching
credential) but not too many harpists, so I started playing in restaurants, Irish
pubs, churches etc. and loved it. Since that time, God has opened some wonderful
doors for me to perform in Japan, Germany, Disney World, and throughout the Western
States.
Eventually, I went back to school and got a Masters
in Music: Harp Performance. Now I teach harp at Azusa Pacific University
as well as performing at weddings, churches, concerts, programs, special
events, and in hotels. I have written
two books for teaching harp and recorded two harp CDs.
My dear family consists of my husband, Garry, who is a Lutheran minister, and
my two wonderful daughters, Kirsten and Gloriana. |
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Sherry
Nissen – Keyboards; Second Soprano
David and I have been married 24 years,
and we have two wonderful children: Deidre, 17, and
Chase, 13. I
love them with all my heart, and know they are God’s greatest blessing. We
also have a charming, challenging, playful Bichon
Frise named Cosmo. I’ve
come to realize that God teaches us unconditional
love through our family and our animal friends!
In college, I studied Theater and Interior design, and have
tried a variety of jobs including actress, retail sales,
interior designer, administrative assistant, piano teacher,
and working for the airlines. However,
I have discovered that
my true passion is leading worship and writing praise music.
Currently, I am working for a temporary
agency as it allows me the flexibility to care for my
family and follow my calling as a worship leader. |
I didn’t always love to play the piano. Lessons
began at the age of seven, and very soon, I became disenchanted
with the slow progress and constant practicing. Luckily, I had a
very smart mom who kept saying, “Well, just take lessons until the
end of the school year, and we’ll talk about it then.” This
would get me past my plateaus and by the end of the
year I was ready to continue. (All
you moms out there...use this for your children who
are wanting to quit!) I
took lessons through high school, but played very
little for the next 10 years. Then, the Lord began to grow
a hunger in my spirit to play the piano again. Shortly after we
were married, the church Dave and I attended in Avon,
CO, needed another accompanist, and I happily volunteered.
Looking back, I believe that God has orchestrated every step of my life
to prepare me to become a member of PEARL! Having played for various
churches, it was my time at Peace With Christ
Lutheran Church in
Aurora, CO that allowed me to become part of a contemporary
worship team. I
knew immediately that this is where my heart, gifting
and ministry combined so that I could serve our Lord
with joy! I
also began to revitalize my gift of writing music. Then, I attended
the Music & Worship Conference in Estes Park, CO,
and the Lord lit my heart on fire to continue writing
music and lead heartfelt worship. Since
then, I have sought out ways to worship our Lord
and minister with music. I
have also learned to combine my roots of traditional
hymns with contemporary praise, so that many hearts
are reached. After
moving to California, a friend invited me to attend
the Women’s
Bible Study at Sierra Madre Congregational Church,
and the rest is PEARL history! |
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Robin Spurs – Acoustic Guitar, Bass;
Alto
The Lord has given me a love of music for as long as I can remember,
singing in choirs, ensembles and groups throughout my pre-school and
school years.
I began playing the guitar in 3rd grade, but
moved over to playing bass when the opportunity
arose when I was 15 years old playing in the Sunnyside High School
Stage Band in Tucson,
Arizona. You see, playing electric guitar wasn't
so bad until the dreaded solos: I would choke
every time...oh the
pressure. The guys
in the band would find great enjoyment at my
slow, tortured, solo deaths (the more they laughed,
the more I choked). Soooo, when the then bass
player moved to another high school, and I was
offered the opportunity to switch over to playing
bass, I jumped at the chance!
I instantly fell in love with the bass guitar. I loved the lower register,
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simple importance of being a foundational instrument for
the group. I so enjoyed not "being in the lime-light" with this
instrument...AND I didn't have to do solos! I loved practicing, 4-6 hours a day (you can do
that as a teen-ager living at home with your parents - thank you Mom & Dad!).
Over the next few decades, I had the blessed opportunity
to play bass in many different bands. I've
enjoyed playing all kinds of music, touring the United States,
Canada, Japan and Europe, recording, and of
course, working with very interesting band
members. I feel all experiences were gifts from the Lord
and have led me to this wonderful group of women - Pearl.
I have to say that next to the last group I toured with - Rachel Rachel,
and the dear women in that band, this is by far one of my most enriching life
experiences. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve the Body of Christ
with my dear friends - Sherry, Bonnie, and Tammy.
I have a very cool husband who is wonderfully loving and supportive
- Marc Sercomb, and together we have six cats: Piper, Sonoma, Martini, Domino,
Baca and Mr. Peabody. To support my "music habit" all these years I've
enjoyed designing:
Hat
& Hair and Web
& Graphic Design. |
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Tammy Trypucko – Percussion; Soprano
I've been married since 1990 and have two beautiful daughters: Tiffani
and Ashley. I can't imagine my life without my husband
Walter and my two daughters. I've been blessed by God
for my family and thank Him for everything He gives me.
I've been enjoying music since I was a little girl singing with different
church groups. My mom and sister also love to sing and have encouraged
me throughout the years.
I've continued into my adult life singing with choirs
and small groups. I started taking voice lessons and
have learned a lot from my teachers and through them
I have built up my self- confidence. They pushed me out
of my comfort zones teaching and encouraging me to sing and try different
songs.
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My favorite kind of music is contemporary Christian music,
I also enjoy all types of musicals including The Sound of Music.
It has been an amazing journey with Pearl; Robin, Sherry
and Bonnie have been such an encouragement to me.
I am truly blessed to be part of this group and so thankful
to God for orchestrating this group so perfectly. May
He be honored and praised through all that we do. |
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