1980s
Jennifer Nelson ’81 writes, “I'm looking forward to this year. I will leave teaching high school French in June, and work full-time as a ghostwriter for my company, Your Stories. I'm also delighted to announce that my daughter Emily Rojvall got engaged, and is planning a Fall 2027 wedding in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. I would love to reconnect with ASLers in the Northeast.”
January 2026
Alex Smolka ’84 writes, “My second daughter got married at the end of June, which, apart from making me super happy, is another reminder how far removed I am from ASL! I truly loved my time as an Eagle! If anyone happens to make it to South Florida (Boca Raton), please let me know. I hope my fellow Class of 1984 ASLers are doing well!”
October 2025
Former and current ASL employees joined members of the Classes of 1979 and 1980 to support Raul Biancardi ’80 in an intimate gig, featuring his band, Our Man in the Field, at the Royal Society of Arts on 10 September. Pictured left to right, Jean (Carroll) Kemp ’79, Katherine Precht P ’08 ’15 (ASL 1993-2009), John Carroll ’80, Suzanne Portnoy ’79, Raul Biancardi ’80, Eileen Flood P ’22 (ASL 1993-2009), Wendy Robinson (ASL 1992-present), Jodi Warren (ASL 1988-2023), Chris Evans P ’08 ’15, Bill Kenney P ’03 ’22 (ASL 1990-2022). Not pictured, Lorraine Hoolachan (ASL 1989-96; 2000-10).
September 2025
Live from tour, a report from alum and former high school guidance counselor Raul Biancardi ’80 (ASL 1986-93): “My ASL classmates from the late ’70s and my students and colleagues from the late ’80s and early ’90s may remember that I was always crazy about music. The ASL music department, as headed by the dynamic duo Georgia Bassett (ASL 1974-1995) and Dick Bassett (ASL 1974-1996) and enhanced by the hip and charismatic Gordon Murphy P ’94 (ASL 1984-2003), greatly encouraged me to continue playing with the Tulane Jazz Band during my four years in New Orleans, as well as in various London bands upon returning to London. But then life got in the way, and I shelved my professional music aspirations for 30 years. When I finally retired from my all-consuming “day job,” I met a singer/songwriter named Alexander Ellis, who was forming a band called “Our Man in the Field” and needed a keyboard player. Now, seven years, two albums and hundreds of gigs later, we seem to be making some headway. We’ve recorded our third album, tentatively entitled Silverado, at Mark Knopfler’s studio, British Grove. The album is produced by Mark’s keyboard player and producer (and my longtime friend), Guy Fletcher, and features several guest musicians, including Sonny Landreth, Robbie McIntosh, Ethan Johns, PP Arnold and Guy himself on the Hammond B3. We recorded 13 songs “live” in five days, and then spent quite some time adding bits and pieces (backing vocals, sitar, theremin, horns, etc). Over the last few months, in addition to touring with The Delines, Chuck Prophet, and Jackson Dean, we’ve played the Highways Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, Glastonbury Festival, and the BST Hyde Park Festival—opening for my heroes Van Morrison, Cat Stevens, and Neil Young. What’s next? We’re touring Sweden as I write, and we’re in discussions with several labels about releasing Silverado. We’ll see how that goes…”
August 2025
Suzy (Ward) Bates ’88 says, “I have been living in Lisbon, Portugal, for the last 2.5 years with my husband and we are loving the lifestyle, people and delicious food. If you are in the area, let me know!”
August 2025
Thomas Fried ’81 is happily retired and living in the Hamptons!
August 2025