Lee, Susan Cindy, Suzi, David, Elaine

About Our Group

Little did we know that, nearly 20 years later, STILL SIMPLE GIFTS would STILL be pleasing audiences as an established six-member musical ensemble! It began as an open invitation to anyone interested in learning to play the recorder. By adding other instruments over the years, STILL SIMPLE GIFTS has evolved into an ensemble that creates delightfully varied, easy to enjoy music. 

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Our Repertoire

It is difficult to categorize the music of STILL SIMPLE GIFTS. If you prefer Celtic music, classical, sacred, folk, or dance music - keep listening - that is what you may hear next! A STILL SIMPLE GIFTS performance may involve twenty to thirty different musical instruments - recorders, flute, clarinet, harp, bowed psaltery, autoharp, guitar, violin, harmonica, concertina, percussion, and others.  Repertoire includes traditional recorder music, unique interpretations of Celtic, American, and European folk tunes, sacred music, and original compositions.

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How to Schedule Performances 

We perform for private parties, weddings, community events, church services, and musical education programs. Performances may be tailored to your special occasion.  Call us at (717) 697-6696 or (717) 691-0354 for more booking information. You may also email us stillsimplegifts@pa.net.

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Our members:

Elaine Bergstresser: Elaine is Director of Educational Technology and Assessment  for the Cumberland Valley School District.  She plays recorders, Appalachian dulcimer, clarinet, pennywhistle, and autoharp with Still Simple Gifts.  A life-long educator, Elaine has taught German, gifted education, computer, and served as an adjunct instructor for Wilkes University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree through Widener University.  

Lee Gayman:  Lee finds himself "playing at" a variety of instruments with Still Simple Gifts, including hammered dulcimer, recorder, violin, harmonica and concertina. Lee and his wife reside in Mechanicsburg, PA and have 2 adult children. When not working as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, he derives great pleasure from woodworking and gardening. As a self-taught luthier, Lee has constructed numerous musical instruments, some of which are used by Still Simple Gifts. His current passion is the building of folk harps. Lee also sings baritone with the Adult Choir of Market Square Church in Harrisburg, PA.

Susan Miller: Along with Lee and Suzi, Susan is a founding member of the recorder ensemble that evolved into Simple Gifts, and then Still Simple Gifts. She has played flute, recorders, penny whistle, glockenspiel, autoharp, and bowed psaltery with the group.  In her other life, Susan works for the PA Department of Labor and Industry where she helps to provide services to workers who have been separated from employment due to layoffs or business closings. She is also active in the Appalachian Audubon Society and participates in the music program at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church. 

Suzi Souder:  Suzanne Lemon Souder was born into a family of musicians. Her father was a band director in the central PA area, and her mother was a musician in local bands and orchestras. Suzi studied bassoon with Frank Stachow, Bob Aulenbach, William Higgins and was also a vocal student of Joan Boytim. She plays recorders and Celtic harp. Her interest in composition and arranging has greatly benefited Still Simple Gifts'  repertoire. Suzi is a lay pastor and the Associate for Communication and Office Management for the Presbytery of Carlisle. 

Cindy Walters: Cindy plays recorder, glockenspiel, and autoharp with Still Simple Gifts. An accomplished hand bell player and vocalist, Cindy works as a Customer Service Representative at Highmark. When not playing music or working she enjoys drawing and running.

David Walters: David Walters plays guitar and percussion with Still Simple Gifts. He teaches composition and creative writing at Harrisburg Area Community College and York College of Pennsylvania. His poems and fiction have appeared in numerous literary journals and magazines; his first book of poetry, A Lifetime for This Place, has just been published by Rabbit Press of Harrisburg. He lives in Mechanicsburg with his wife, Marisa, and their three children.

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