Puddingstone

Biographies 

David Abernethy, M.D. is the founder and producer of Puddingstone.  He received his early music training as a percussionist with the award winning Lenoir High School Band.  As a student of Science at Elon College, he simultaneously held a full music scholarship, and traveled with the school stage band.  He earned a B.S. in Chemistry at Elon College and an M.D. degree at Bowman Grey School of Medicine.  He plays the hammered dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, penny whistle, gemshorn, krumhorn, recorder, rackett, electronic wind-controller, and many percussion instruments.  When not directing Puddingstone, David practices medicine in Lenoir, N.C.  He also enjoys sailing, sawmilling, farming, and caring for the many animals who live on the Abernethy farm. 

Mike Willis discovered an early interest in a musical career as a percussionist with the award winning Lenoir High School Band.  He studied at Brevard and at ASU in Boone, NC.  He has extensive experience playing professionally with a variety of musical groups.  He played percussion with the New York Quartet and with the Jerry Lambert Trio in Charlotte, Raleigh and Atlanta.  His unique style of jazz piano developed while working with Milton Clapp with the New York Quartet.  He studied harp with Jean Morehead in Raleigh and Lorraine Little in Charlotte.  He played harp and piano at the Esseola Lodge in Linville from 1982-87.  He played harp and piano at the Tower Club in Charlotte from 1989-96, and does freelance work with several musical groups in the area.  Mike has a lifelong interest in fitness and sports and is a fair weather motorcyclist.
 

Denise Baxter-Yoder began singing in church choirs at the age of five.  Born to Air Force parents, she has lived and traveled extensively throughout the U.S. She holds a degree in music from Montevallo University, AL, and a Master's degree in Education from ASU, NC.  She is a former public school sixth grade teacherwith Catawba County Schools,  is a singer/songwriter, has performed in musical theater with her husband, Chuck Yoder, and likes to paint, create jewelry and hand-knit items. She maintains two small store booths where she sells handpainted furniture, pictures and handknit items. Her newest passion is the Celtic harp, which she performs with  Tapestry, a harp, flute and cello ensemble. 

Paul Holt has been playing guitar since age 15. He had his first group experience with a rock and roll band in high school. He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Guitar from ASU in Boone, NC. Paul has two daughters and one son. Both of his daughters plays piano and one daughter plays guitar and his son also plays guitar. Paul teaches at the Suzuki School of the Arts in Hickory, NC. He has about 60 students from age 4 to adult. In addition to playing guitar with Puddingstone, Paul also plays electric guitar in church with the praise and worship band.

Matthew Davis  grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina and has recently moved to Boone, North Carolina. He is currently attending Appalachian State University, majoring in a Bachelor Degree of Music in Violin Performance under the instruction of Dr. Nancy Bargerstock. He has been studying the violin since the age of 8. Matthew has been very involved in the Caldwell community. He joined the Caldwell Men’s Chorus, four years ago, as a second tenor. He has also played the violin for the Caldwell Men’s Chorus. and the musical, The Fiddler on the Roof. He has attended summer music camps and won scholarships. He has played with Puddingstone for three years and hopes for many more to come. Matthew enjoys playing for nursing and resting homes, hospital events, schools, churches, weddings, and other events. Aside from his violin life, Matthew enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outside, and being involved with other types of music as well. He enjoys sharing his love of music with his community and looks forward to what the future holds for him and the violin.