Keeping the Beat

As the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out local gigs this spring and summer, local teacher, historian and musician Van Wagner has remained busy writing more of his regionally inspired songs and creating a new album. He shares some valuable lessons he has learned over the past several months, gives advice for musicians who feel they are spinning their wheels during this time of uncertainty and gives us a taste of new songs that have yet to be released to the public.

Pulling from five decades of experience playing throughout the Valley with numerous artists, Kimbo Reichley incorporates a wide variety of styles and experiences into each song he records in his personal studio. He shares some of the lessons learned, memorable moments playing in gigs from China to Memphis and even on the beaches of Maryland and talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the local music scene.

Some of the region's most active musicians as live performances begin to return within a minefield of COVID-19 concern, Ann Kerstetter and her band members say they appreciate the venues are finding ways to keep the live music playing as they continue to struggle for survival.

Singer, musician, composer and teacher Jen Wagner developed a passion for all aspects of music during her time in the Lewisburg Area School District and as a member of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale's Children's Choir. Now a teacher at the Milton Hershey School, she led a group of students in song at the White House and more recently composed a piece performed by students from various schools in a video that has gone viral online.

Singer, musician, composer and teacher Jen Wagner developed a passion for all aspects of music during her time in the Lewisburg Area School District and as a member of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale's Children's Choir. Now a teacher at the Milton Hershey School, she led a group of students in song at the White House and more recently composed a piece performed by students from various schools in a video that has gone viral online.