Our Members

Rittenhouse Sound is made up of community members from throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond. We welcome any person who has a passion for singing, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other identity. Visit us!

Artistic Director

Erik Stenswold

Erik Stenswold is a lifelong musician, singer, conductor, composer.

He was brought in to lead Rittenhouse Sound into new era of music-making in February of 2024!

Read his full biography HERE>!

Board of Directors 2024

The organization’s governing body is comprised of volunteers from within our membership who possess an abiding passion for music and vocal harmony, providing leadership to support the growth of the chorus.

John Haak

President

John started singing baritone in college. Naturally, he became a city planner.

Bill Toffey

Secretary

Bill has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for 22 years, and for the past 16 years has been on its Board of Trustees.

Toffey has been a volunteer singer for his entire adult life. He has performed with the Cornell University Glee Club, the University of Pennsylvania Chorale, the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, and the Adult Choir of the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill.

Will Kushto

Treasurer

An undergraduate accounting degree made being Treasurer a perfect fit for Will, who is in his thirteenth year of BHS as a lead and twelfth as Treasurer. When he's not singing with Rittenhouse Sound, Will travels the country towing his Airstream RV.

Michael Anderson

Immediate Past President

Engineer by day and barbershopper by (Tuesday) night, Mike has been singing lead with Rittenhouse Sound since 2017. When he's not singing, Mike can found watching college basketball and cheering on his alma mater. Let's go Nova!

Keegan Connolly

Vice President of
Music & Performance

Member of Rittenhouse Sound since 2019; fanatic of vocal music since 2010. He began college as a music major on composition, and he relies on the fundamentals of music learned during this time. He aims to help the chorus evolve, expand its repertoire, and further its musicianship. His primary role is to collaborate closely with the Artistic Director on every aspect of musicality and presentation for the ensemble. Outside of Rittenhouse Sound, he can be found singing with The Balance quartet, singing with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, riding roller coasters, or playing with his duo of dogs.

James Lamb

Vice President of Marketing & Outreach

James is an early childhood music educator at Please Touch Museum in West Philadelphia, and joined Rittenhouse Sound in February of 2023. He discovered a love of singing during his undergraduate studies at Gettysburg College when he began singing with the a cappella group, Four Scores. He went on to receive a minor in Vocal Performance from the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg. He also sings with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia, True North Chorus in Wilmington, DE, and participates in the annual Philadelphia Opera Festival, IndependentSounds!, put on by his voice teacher, Angela Gilbert. James is the baritone of chapter quartet, The Liberty Beaus!

Shiloh Cooper

Board Member at Large

Peter Scarpato

Board Member at Large

Peter Scarpato is a retired lawyer and business executive who spent 24 years resolving disputes as an arbitrator and mediator. For seven decades, he performed in bands, operas, and seven choral groups. He currently sings with the No Name Pop’s Festival Chorus as well as Rittenhouse Sound, and serves on the boards of Rittenhouse Sound and the No Name Pops. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife of 43 years, Paula Weiss, and son Aaron. His daughter Rachel lives in New Orleans.

Tim Olson

Board Member at Large

Quartets

We proudly support our Chapter Quartet(s):

The Liberty Beaus

Shiloh Cooper - Tenor
Ryan DeStefano - Lead
James Lamb - Baritone
Adam Schechter - Bass

@thelibertybeaus on Instagram