1. Pete Douglas
   
   
2. Jeremy S. Foster
   
   
3. Bree Tiura
   
   
4. Linda Goetz
   
   
5. Viviana Guzman
   
   
6. Erin Tormey
   
   
7. Anthony Scaravilli
   
   

Pete Douglas-President & Concert Manager

The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society is a non-profit organization for the musical arts. Founded in 1964 by Pete Douglas, the Society has presented Jazz, Classical and World music in his home and business - the Douglas Beach House, located on Miramar Beach, Half Moon Bay, California, on the Pacific Ocean south of San Francisco.

The unusual name of the organization came about when Douglas was having one of his Sunday afternoon soirées at his home, a small beer joint on the beach. Thinking of themselves as the Beat Hipster generation of the 50's, Pete and his comrades were digging on some cheap wine and listening to Jazz and popular dance music recordings. Joining the party came some folks who possessed a few dynamite sticks, and suggested they blow it off on the beach. While Pete and friends remained in the joint to party, the others went off on their mission to "blow it off."

Digging on some culture, Pete put on his recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto, and somebody suggested dancing to it. While doing a West Coast Swing style to Bach, a resounding boom blasted from the beach. Whereupon, a juiced member of the dance party suggested that they were all part of the "Dancing and Dynamite Society" a fitting "put on" for our Bohemian attitude. The rest is history.

return to the top

Jeremy S. Foster-Operations

I can be found all over the house. I do everything from stage/sound and artist relations, to stacking chairs and cleaning bathrooms (I even answer your e-mails). My main duty is to facilitate events around the house, keeping things smooth and happy. I am often heard muttering the question "is everything under control?"

Having been part of the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society since 1995, I hope to carry on working with Pete Douglas and the rest of the Bach Society for many years to come.

As a musician myself, I realize the scarcity of venues like the Bach Society, providing both world class talent, and intimacy (not to mention a complete lack of commercialism [a.k.a. we have not sold out]) in an ideal setting.

Come on out, and I will do my best to put a big smile on your face.

email bachsociety@aol.com

return to the top

Bree Tiura-Assistant Operations

When you first arrive at the Douglas Beach House, chances are I will be the first person you encounter. My job is to run the front door and make sure our guests have any information they may need.

Behind the scenes, I work beside Jeremy keeping the house clean, setting up for events, and cleaning up afterward. The part I play with the Bach Society has evolved since I started here in September of 1997.

I've found that my niche, in general, is to make sure people are comfortable. I welcome our audience and help them have a positive experience. I make an extra effort to recognize the names and faces of our contributors. It helps to show that we understand how important they are.

Without them, there would be no Bach Society.

return to the top

Linda Goetz-Secretary/treasurer & Members

Linda was introduced to Jazz in the late sixties when she redeemed a new friend's saxophone from an uptown pawn shop in Cincinnati. After that she would go "over the river" from her home in Kentucky, to hang in the jazz and blues clubs of the Mt. Adams section of Cincinnati, the Midwest's Best Kept Secret.

She was always more hip than hippie in the sixties, and when she moved to Manhattan, she was immediately charged by all the City had to offer. It was there where she learned what good jazz can "do" to you. The European influence of New York inspired Linda to travel, and after a trip overland to India and back, she worked in Munich and lived in the Schwabing District, where it seemed the students there were starting their rebellion by listening to progressive jazz in smoky little downstairs clubs. It was her neighborhood, so she went "underground" - with a name like Goetz, she learned that if she kept her mouth shut and wore a scarf around her neck, she could avoid the embarrassment of being too American.

When she returned to the states she moved to Tempe, Arizona to warm up. Good jazz, or any jazz, was scarce, and she went through a little dry spell in the desert. To find her cool again, she packed up and moved to San Francisco, where she got her bearings in a small apartment at Pine and Powell - North Beach, and what was left of the beat scene, was just a downhill walk. After a few years, she was lured out of the City to the San Mateo Coast where she immediately started her secretarial business just to avoid the commute. To her good fortune, in walked Pete Douglas, and she found one of the best jazz scenes in her own back beach. She has been working with Pete ever since, and always thanks her personal good fortune in being able to participate in presenting that special relationship between artist and audience that only the Bach Society provides in such a beautiful setting. Linda has been a Board member for several years, maintains the membership and mailing lists, and helps Pete produce the calendar and other PR functions.

email: hmbcoast@aol.com

return to the top

Viviana Guzman-Fundraising & Publicity

Chilean born, Viviana Guzman is excited to be jumping on board The Bach Society Bandwagon. Having been trained at the Juilliard School and played in Carnegie Hall, her musical expertise lies within the classical and world music realms. She hopes to contribute to The Bach by bestowing her fundraising, public relations, all around general support and hostessing skills.

Viviana is a neighbor and believes that living and working on the beach contribute to her good health and happiness.

Classical and World flutes
www.viviana.org

return to the top

Erin Tormey-Conferencing & Caterer