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Meet the Band
Kimberly has a broad music background. She began playing the piano at age 9 and has been playing ever since. She studied Piano Performance in college, graduating from Olivet Nazarene University. Kimberly also played percussion instruments in her grade school band. She has also enjoyed singing in various choirs throughout her life. Kimberly currently plays saxophone in her church orchestra. She teaches piano, saxophone and voice at Silverdale Baptist Academy. Besides Get Happy, she also plays for Scenic City Sound, and she played the keyboard at Dollywood for their Christmas musical – Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Kimberly Altenberg
Alto Saxophone
Joined band - May 2020 - present
Instruments: Piano, Organ, Percussion, Alto Saxophone
Rubymarie Altenberg
Tenor, Baritone Sax, Vocals
Joined band - May 2020 - present
Instruments: Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet
Rubymarie began studying the Piano at the age of 9 and has been playing and taking lessons ever since. She sang in the Silverdale Baptist Academy (SBA) Choir, and the SBA Highschool Praise Band. Rubymarie began playing the saxophone at 11. She plays saxophone in her church orchestra. She played for the SBA Marching Band, SBA Concert Band and SBA Jazz Band. She has been selected for All State East TN Jazz Band twice. Besides Get Happy, she also plays for Scenic City Sound.
Jim Altenberg
Soprano & Tenor Saxophone
Clarinet
Joined band - May 2020
Instruments: Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet
Jim began taking saxophone lesson at 9 years of age. He played the Alto saxophone in his grade school band. Jim currently plays saxophone in his church orchestra. Besides Get Happy, he also plays for Scenic City Sound.
Gordon Willis
Trombone
Joined band - June 2020 - present
Instruments: Trombone
Little Gordon started playing the trombone at the age of 9. He played trombone in his grade school band and then graduated to his high school marching band. Gordon spent many years singing in choirs, a gospel quartet and an ensemble with his wife and children. He also volunteered as the choir director in his church for around 40 years. Gordon currently plays the trombone in his church orchestra.
Velma Willis
Banjolele & Tambourine
Joined band - June 2020 - present
Instruments: Piano, Banjolele, Tambourine
Velma started piano lessons around the age of 9 and by 13 she was the pianist at her church in Gulfport, MS. She has been playing the piano ever since. Velma played piano for her husband's (Gordon) quartet, for various choirs and she played piano and sang with their family ensemble. She began playing the banjolele in June of 2021.
Barkey Bryant
Trumpet & Vocals
Joined band - July 2022 - present
Instruments: Tumpet, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar
Dr.Barkey Bryant started playing the piano at age 11 and the trumpet at age 12. He studied trumpet performance at TN Technological University. He received a MM in Jazz Studies from Western IL University, and a MM in Classical Studies, and a DMA in Jazz Performance from University of IL. He has held positions thru the years as a worship leader, band director, music professor as well as teaching private lessons. Barkey has kept busy performing in big bands, symphony orchestras, and various ensembles. He has performed with The All-American College Band at Disney World, an 80s cover band - Edison’s Medicine, the New Orleans Jazz Machine, The Dexter Thomas Band, The Premier Jazz Orchestra, The Tower of Power, and many others. For more information about Barkey go to www.barkeybryant.com
Titus Freuler
Washboard
Joined band - May 2025 - present
Instruments: Washboard, Guitar, Mandolin, Lap-Steel Guitar
Titus developed a love for music at an early age. He picked up a guitar and discovered a whole world of stringed instruments. He has an acute ear for music, and spent many years mixing sound for his church, local events, and concerts. Titus used his sense of rhythm to add washboard and percussion instruments to his arsenal.
Doug Warner
Trombone
Joined band - March 2026 - present
Instruments: Trombone, Bass Trombone, Alto Trombone, Euphonium, Bass Trumpet, Piano
Doug began studying piano at 7 and trombone at 9. Dr. Warner holds degrees from UTC (BM) and Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music (MM & DMA). He is the Director of Applied Studies and Prof. of Music at Lee University. He performed with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera as principal trombone for 38 years. He was a member of King’s Brass for 11 years. He currently plays with the Premier Jazz Orchestra. Doug is in demand as a freelance performer and teacher in the greater Chattanooga area.
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