Where Are They Now? A Look at Past Moondance Leaders

If you've ever done a trip with Moondance, you know what an amazing impact your leader can have on you - not only affecting you during your trip but also possibly introducing you to a new band, a new book or maybe even encouraging you to attend their former alma mater for college - and sometimes even ultimately changing your life and your view of the world forever. We are fortunate enough to have had some great folks work for us over the years, many who spent several summers with us before pursuing their dreams of music and art. We'd like to feature some of those leaders who have made a name for themselves, and we'll continue to update the blog with more "Where Are They Now?" posts!

Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes spent five summers with Moondance leading several of our adventures including Pacific Northwest, Moondance Leadership, Grand Ascents and Chamonix Alps. Chris served as our "musical director" for several summers during staff training in Colorado and Asheville, and he is now composing original music for commercials and films with Human Worldwide in Los Angeles. Most recently, Chris composed the music for the short documentary "One Beach" - a film to highlight what is being to done to clean up beaches across the globe and how some creative activists are making art and jewelry out of trash washed upon shore. You can view the video's positive message (and Chris's music!) here.

Alex Cullen

Hailing from Atlanta, Alex Cullen led our Grand Ascents and Machu Picchu trips back in 2008 and 2009. From the moment we met Alex, we knew his creativity would leave a lasting impact on our staff and our students. Alex's talent behind the lens led him to start IriScape Productions, creating documentaries, music videos and marketing pieces for clients such as Emory Healthcare the band The Model Planes. According to Alex's Facebook page, he has lately been working on a documentary about persistence hunting in New Mexico - way to go Alex!

Kelly McFarling

When we first heard Kelly McFarling's unbeatable voice and banjo stylings at staff training in 2006, we knew we witnessing something extremely special. After leading three summers for Moondance on such trips as California's Lost Coast, Moondance Leadership and Northern Lights, Kelly went on to pursue her musical career on the West Coast. Since landing in San Francisco, Kelly has been making a huge impact on the music scene there and gaining loyal followers while on tour - you simply cannot resist her! Her songs of "original rhythm and bluegrass" have earned her positive reviews in various respected blogs and online magazines. You can find out more about Kelly and listen to some of her beautiful music on her Myspace page. Make sure you check out her tour dates to find out where you can catch her next!

Who should we pick next? Keep checking back for more leader profile updates!

Catalog Time!

After all the trips have returned home, and all the end-of-summer paperwork has been sent off and all our debriefs have been completed, we immediately start getting our heads into catalog mode. It's a time I look forward to every year as it gives us a chance to look through TONS of photographs taken by our leaders over the summer as well as hundreds of inspiring quotations from students and parents alike.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos from this past summer that just might make it into the catalog!


Something's up on Northern Lights!


Making shadows at the Great Sand Dunes on Colorado Trail


Seizing the moment in Peru


Cooling off on the Big Wild

We can't wait to share with you many more fantastic images from this summer in our 2012 catalog which will be revealed in October! I wonder what will be the cover shot?