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Janice Funk:
Laughter, T ears
and T riumph
mmm All
Profile on a Graduate of the Class of
1986
By John Ward
m
Ypu may at one time or another
have heard the most unusual laugh
echoing through the halls of Vardell
or L. A. Yes, THAT laugh-the one
that sounds like a giant squeeze toy
with the hiccups. The laugh is not
unlike the lady who projects it-
vibrant, energetic, and full of life.
Both this laugh and a voice that must
be heard to be believed -belong to
one intelligent, sensitive, and bubbly
music major-Janice Lynn Funk.
Janice is a native Californian, born
in Anaheim to Kenneth and Ralphina
Jahnke. At an early age Janice
started entertaining guests by sing
ing, and dancing, usually on the
fireplace mantle.
"And then I did the 'hoola' by the
pool...In California, EVERYONE has a
pool--it's like having a T.V. set."
Being so musically inclined, Janice
was always eager to learn to play
piano. She started lessons by the
fourth grade, and by the sixth grade
she was actively involved in school
choirs. The combined practrice time
for these activities usually exceeded
four hours a day.
"Music was my love, and I will
always be thankful for it. It became a
release and an escape, and it kept me
from getting mixed up in what my
brother and sister did. Their methods
of escape were not so healthy as
mine.
In 1971, Janice entered Cypress
Junior College in Cypress, California.
She continued with voice and piano,
but eventually she was advised to
continue only one, for the time and
devotion required for just one is
tremendous. Forced with a decision,
Janice chose voice.
"My instructor for piano was Ray
mond Jones, a graduate of Juilliard,"
says Janice. "When I told him my
decision, he was so mad! I thought
he would never speak to me again.
He just walked out of the room. I
thought he'd never forgive me."
Janice continued voice lessons
under Mahlon Schanzenbach, her
first and one of her very best in
structors. But strangely enough, dur
ing her enrollment at Cypress, Janice
had intentions of becoming an airline
stewardess.
"Yes, coffee, tea, or me!", she
says with a giggle. A career in the
friendly skies is a step away from a
career in music, but Janice says she
has always enjoyed meeting people
and traveling. However, after gradua
tion these plans were put on hold
when Janice met a young man nam
ed Greg Funk, whom she married.
Soon after the wedding, Greg com
pleted military training, and he and
Janice moved to a military base in
Montabaur, Germany. The military
tour lasted S’/a years and turned out
to be a wonderful opportunity and
growth experience in her musical
studies.
On April 20, Janice gave lier senior recital
in a dress that she made. (Jonathan
Maisonpierre, accompanist.)
If
While in Germany, Janice
studied with Mariko Takahashi, a
Japanese voice instructor who was
married to a German singer; Frau
(Mrs.) Takahashi was a respected
singer and instructor at the Cologne
Conservetorium of Music. Janice
also studied with Frau Ingrid Bobra in
Kaiserslautern. During her stay,
Janice gave many Art Song recitals
and enjoyed playing the "Witch" in a
performance of Hansel and Gretel.
After the tour in Germany, Greg's
military training brought them to
Lawton, Oklahoma, for a brief stay.
"Yes, it's just like the musical, "
says Janice. "The wind does go
'sweeping through the plains,' and It
sweeps everything along with It! It
never did any good to fix your hair,
because if you stepped outside-even
for a second-forget it! And it also
"rained" dirt-my favorite part! I
guess Lawton, Oklahoma, wasn't the
end of the world-but you could see It
from there."
In June, 1983, Greg's military
career brought the couple to Fayet
teville, where Janice (currently)
resides. For the following year,
Janice taught music for kindergarten
through eighth grade at Eutaw
Heights Christian School. Also dur
ing this time, she established a
valuable and lasting friendship with
Harlan Duenow, director of the
Fayetteville Symphony and Civic
Chorus. Janice became a member of
the Civic Chorus and performed as
the only soloist in the 1984 Fourth of
July Concert. She was also a soloist
in the 1984 performance of the
"Messiah."
Janice decided that it was time to
finish her degree, and she felt St. An
drews was her best choice. The cam
pus is within commuting distance of
her apartment in Water's Edge, and
Janice got a "really good feeling"
from the college. She says she was
impressed with Rob Engelson and
saw that the music department was
growing under his direction.
■Apres en Rove," (After a Dream): Janice
sings and plays at her apartment in
Wator's Edge.