Rich Begel’s interest in Klezmer was sparked by hearing Fiddler on the Roof while riding in his grandparents’ car. Since then, he pursued a career in music, attended several Klezmer workshops and camps, and now manages The Flying Klezmerians, En Fuego (Latin music trio), is a member of the Klaberheads, the Dayton Philharmonic, and teaches at The Dayton Regional STEM School, Sinclair Community College, Earlham College, Indiana University East, and at his home studio. He has performed with many orchestras including the Cincinnati Symphony, Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, Spoleto Festival, Boston Ballet, and many more. Rich enjoys time with his family, pets, cycling, bicycle repair, and the occasional bike donation.
www.richbegel.com – www.theflyingklezmerians.com
Mark Funke has been a multi-reed instrumentalist, vocalist,
composer, arranger, and educator for over 35 years.
He attended North Park College & Theological Seminary in Chicago and Northern Illinois University at DeKalb with a double major in sax and clarinet performance and a minor in voice. Mark loves all styles of music and has performed with artists as diverse as Michael Feinstein, Arturo Sandoval, and The O’Jays.
David Diamond is a Dayton-area trumpeter and the office manager at Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice. In addition to the Flying Klezmarians, he has also played with the Air National Guard Band of the South, Dayton Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony, Dayton Jazz Orchestra, and taught at Earlham College and Wright State University.
Steve Makofka has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He has been married to his wife, Lorrie, for 39 years. Together they have raised four children and are now enjoying their four grandchildren.
Steve is an active part of the Dayton music scene, having performed extensively as a singer, and as a guitar and keyboard player. He has sung at Carnegie Hall with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and been a soloist with Dayton’s “The Last Waltz” since the show’s beginning. He is a 4th generation accordion player and has played with a variety of German and Irish Bands. He has also released an album of original children’s music entitled, “Bring the Kids.”
Jim Brooks is the group’s backbone on percussion. He was percussion captain of Miller’s Blackhawks, holds degrees from Wright State University, and was the assistant band director at Centerville High School.