Megan Blouin

Alto – Undecided ‘14

Megan is a sophomore who hails from outside the lovely city of Chicago. She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to be a Lyres noob this year as she had severe singing withdrawal problems last year. She’s serious. It was a major issue in her young life.

During her free time, Megan enjoys .. wait, Michigan students have free time? Just kidding. She enjoys hanging with her amazing friends, reading, attempting to play the guitar, and most importantly, dancing on elevated surfaces. She can’t wait to get into full swing with the Lyres this year and says that you should all come to the concert.

Josh Buoy

Tenor – Organizational Studies / Screen Arts & Cultures ‘13

Josh is a junior and is so excited to be singing with the Lyres for his third year! Besides singing, Josh is the co-founder of Filmic Productions, a Campus Day Leader, and a Student Safety Assistant out of the Dean of Students Office. He is obsessed with How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock, & Modern Family, he loves watching & making movies, and he’s been to Disney World 18 times! Josh’s dream job — big surprise — is to be a director for Pixar

His favorite joke is this: Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. That’s because inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read!

If you did not find that funny (which is probably the case), that’s alright — most people don’t. But if you did find that funny (which is most unlikely), Josh is going to suggest that you become friends.

Emily Byl

Tenalto – Public Policy ‘12

Emily is excited/nervous/flabbergasted to be in her senior year of college in the school of public policy. When she joined the Lyres as a Freshman, Michael Jackson was still alive! In her spare time, she attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and hopes to one day reform the Ministry of Magic.

Aside from the obvious (singing/music/spellcasting), Emily’s hobbies include getting invited to all of the cool google projects before everyone else, making her facebook picture a political statement, and dressing up like Gumby to Michigan football games.

Jon Cameau

Bass – Aerospace Engineering ‘15

Jonathan is ecstatic to be able to spend his freshman year singing with the Lyres! Originating from Brooklyn, New York, then later moving to Pennsylvania, Jonathan has been singing since 7th grade, and loved every second of it. Now that he’s a Wolverine, he also loves meeting new people, cracking jokes and trying to use up all of the meals on his unlimited meal plan (It’s not going too well…). He also gives great hugs, so don’t be afraid to walk up and ask!

As a towering 6′2″ bass, Jonathan always has a fantastic time at practice because there is nothing more awesome than singing really, really, really, low notes. Sadly, he has a fairly busy schedule during the week. But hey, at least its not rocket science! Oh wait…

Lisa Elder

Alto – Communications ‘13

Lisa is looking forward to another great year with the Lyres. Born in Houston, Texas, she’s a Southern belle at heart, but she’s also got a city girl side from growing up in Los Angeles, California. She likes playing card games, especially Egyptian Ratscrew and Mao, hanging out with her Alpha Delta Pi Sorority sisters, coin collecting, talking in accents, hiking, horse back riding, laughing, reading, watching classic Disney movies, and, of course, singing!

After suiciding the Compulsive Lyres during A Capella Rush in Fall 2009, she has enjoyed two years of personal growth as a singer and team-member as well as developing friendships with her fellow Lyres. As Social Chair, she will be arranging fun inter- and intra-a capella group activities. So if you’d like the chance to meet our group outside of performances, shoot her an e-mail!

Meredith Finch

Soprano – Music/Film ‘13

Meredith is a junior from Knoxville, TN. She still can’t believe how cold Michigan winters are and how fast time flies…Being a part of Lyres since the beginning of her freshman year has made the past two years the most memorable and enjoyable of her life so far. In addition to singing, she loves playing the piano, watching movies, reading, Google Image searching baby animals, Facebook stalking, and making up catch phrases.

This year, Meredith holds the position of Lyres Secretary, which entails such tasks as making copies of music and taking weekly minutes. So, if you ever see a copy of our music floating around and think, “Dang, that’s a good copy!” she’ll gladly accept your compliment.

Charlie Frank

Tenor – Pre-Medicine ‘14

Charlie is ready for round 2 with the Compulsive Lyres. Around campus he is also an active member of Rapid Response, a group devoted to educating the student body about current events. Outside singing, he enjoys playing guitar, soccer, tennis, XBOX with his two brothers, and tiddlywinks. He is planning on going to medical school after undergrad, perhaps majoring in neuroscience or cell and molecular biology.

Going into his sophomore campaign with Lyres, Charlie has assumed the roles of Wordsmith and Wit Connoisseur (the second one is unofficial). He is now bound by the Lyres Constitution to share all his brilliant jokes and clever comments with the group, whether he wants to or not. “The burden of comedic talent is a large one, but I will shoulder the load, or die trying.” -Abraham Lincoln

Lee Gunderson

Bass – Nuclear Engineering ‘12

While the rest of the Lyres sent in their bios at the beginning of the school year, Lee sent his in at the start of Winter semester, therefore making his bio currently the most up to date. He’s not going to say how many semesters he’s been in Lyres in order for it to stay the most up to date, but let’s just say that he’s currently a junior (but if you’re reading this in 2011-2012, he’s a senior) and he joined Lyres the second semester of his freshman year. Besides procrastinating and singing with Lyres, Lee enjoys playing frisbee, continuing his research on laser plasma interactions, and tree climbing.

During his sophomore year, he held the position of Publicity Manager, and now uses the skills he learned to practice professionalism in rehearsal.

Christian Keil

Tenor – Economics / Psychology ‘13

Christian guesses he’s old now, because it’s already his third year with the Lyres! He thinks it’s unacceptable that college is already halfway over, and resolves to make this year awesome. Outside of singing, Christian enjoys being excessively competitive, watching far too many shows on Hulu, pretending to be fratty with his bros in Sigma Chi, and playing basketball.

In the Lyres, Christian is the publicity manager, which means he’s in charge of the website and concert posters and making brochures and stuff. His main focus this year will be increasing the online content for the Lyres… expect great things from this website, and the Lyres YouTube page!

Emilio Mateo

Bass – Undecided ‘14

Emilio is pumped to be in the Lyres for his second year! He hasn’t chosen his major yet, so other than deciding on that he has decided to stay busy singing, swimming, biking, and running. He is an active member of the U of M triathlon team. He plans on running an Ironman next summer, and after doing a Half-Ironman this past summer he thinks it really is possible! On top of all of that, Emilio is a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan which means trouble for the three newbies who are Blackhawks fans. Despite the epic hockey rivalry he is very excited for this upcoming year with the Lyres!!

Georgina Menegas

Soprano – Prelaw ‘15

Georgina is so excited and thankful to be joining the Lyres her first semester of college!!! Growing up in a northern suburb of Chicago, Belle was a childhood idol, and Beauty and the Beast is still Georgina’s favorite movie. Music is her passion, but she also loves playing guitar, reading Harry Potter, musicals, traveling, and cheering on her beloved Chicago Blackhawks! She also enjoys eating lots of Greek food and spending time with her younger sister. She will probably laugh at every joke, because laughter is the best medicine!

Georgina is beyond excited to be singing with the Lyres for the next four years and cannot wait to become great friends with them! Let’s make some music!

Lauren Rink

Soprano – Communications / Women’s Studies ‘12

Lauren is a senior and fourth-year member of the Compulsive Lyres. She blames her sister’s obsession with an a cappella version of a Guster song for getting her into a cappella in the first place. Lauren joined the Lyres her first week of college and considers herself super lucky to have found her place among such an amazing group of musicians and friends.

Lauren is the Lyres’ resident coffee addict and Lyres mom. She also really likes to tell people that her first job was to be an ice skater, which is funny and coincidental because her last name is Rink (get it? like a skating rink?).

Josh Strazanac

Bass – Master of Public Policy/Juris Doctor ‘15

Josh is a grad student.

If the oldest members of society weren’t a celebrated group, would we have sweet magazines like AARP or Train Enthusiasts Monthly? No, and that’s why Josh subscribes to both.

Josh, a Michigan native from Holland, graduated from UM and moved to Boston on an AmeriCorps appointment. Though he sang in a post-collegiate a cappella group there, Josh discovered his peers were distracted by real-world jobs and families. So, he gladly chose to run back to Compulsive Lyres. Now he aca bops his concerns about grad school debt away, spitting sweet bass lines with “the boys.”

Josh’s favorite president is Jed Bartlett. He has lived in DC, Boston, and Santiago, Chile, but is always pulled home by Michigan’s natural beauty and the moving sound of his favorite a cappella group – The Compulsive Lyres!

Tara Tarazi

Soprano – Undecided ‘15

Tara is pumped to be in the Lyres for her first semester at Michigan. Born and raised in Chicago, she loves the city but is also enjoying her time in Ann Arbor. She obviously loves music, and her favorites include Queen, The Beatles, Coldplay, and MGMT… everything besides country. She is interested in studying business, but is also fond of philosophy. Most importantly, she only buys her jeans from the Levi’s Store and loves the Gap.

She would like to thank the Lyres for bringing her into their fabulous community. Also, a shout out to her older sisters, Tammy and Tina, for supporting her.

Logan White

Tenor – Pre-Dental ‘14

This will be young Mr. White’s first year with the Lyres. As a pre-dental sophomore, Logan has much to learn on his to way to becoming a black belt in a cappella. When he is not busy blinding people with science, he takes time to play guitar and tennis and isn’t above accepting a good challenge to play monopoly. He finds himself honored to become a Lyre, and is very much looking forward to performing with them for you.

Chris Yu

Tenor – Materials Science Engineering ‘15

Chris is adrenalized to be a Lyre right off the get-go for his first semester! He daydreams on Monday’s and Thursday’s until it’s rehearsal time. Like most little kids, he enjoys a good Disney movie now and again. Birthed and raised in Michigan, Chris also plays the Piano and Bassoon. Other interests include watching/playing Tennis and Volleyball. With a laugh rivaling Santa Claus’, he loves to take naps whenever his schedule allows such leisure.

Chris can’t believe he’s lucky enough to be a part of a group filled with the most amazing and talented people he’s ever met. He has much faith that the Lyres will have a more than fantastic year in all their endeavors!