Mary Christie has more than 30 years of experience in international and domestic tour planning as well as corporate meeting planning. She has traveled with both music and special interest groups to Europe, Mexico, Central America, Great Britain, Canada, the Caribbean and throughout the United States.

Ilse was born in Germany and raised and educated in Brazil. She has worked and lived abroad and is fluent in five languages. Ilse has many years of experience in coordinating and escorting tours for orchestras, bands and choirs and specializes in Europe, Australia, New Zealand The Fiji Islands, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Russia and Asia.

Desiree is relatively new to Ambassador Tours and works with Ilse Roderick and Kari Van Zanten. She is presently studying history, government and philosophy at Western Michigan University, is a former student of Adams State College and has a strong musical background.

Johanna first discovered her love for travel at the age of four when immigrating from The Netherlands to the United States. Since 1989 she has coordinated and escorted concert tours and music festivals throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Europe and the Caribbean. Currently, her areas of interest and expertise are England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Barbara Foster

Barbara has been working with performance groups since the beginning of a career that has spanned more than 25 years. In addition to booking group air arrangements, she has planned all aspects of concert tours, music festivals, leisure travel and meeting planning to destinations in North America and Europe for groups from all over the globe.

Lauri Yarger

Lauri has extensive experience in all aspects of tourism, from her work as a leisure agent and corporate planner to coordinating international tours. She has traveled and escorted tours throughout North America and Canada, South America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Cindy Hamel

Cindy holds a B.A. in Travel and Tourism and in French from Western Michigan University. During her studies, she also attended the University of Laval in Quebec City. Cindy's musical and creative background includes playing the oboe in various bands and wind ensembles throughout high school as well as many leading roles in musicals and plays. Not only does she have a love of music, but a passion for travel and learning about European culture and cuisine. Cindy works with groups traveling to France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

Kari Van Zanten

Kari studied at Western Michigan University and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Organization Communication and Travel and Tourism. She has traveled throughout the United States as well as Germany. Kari has extensive knowledge and experience with musical performing groups. She loves to travel and experience new cultures. Her specialty is Brazil and Europe.

Jenn Smith

Jenn coordinates international performances for Ambassador Tours' traveling ensembles. She speaks fluent Spanish and is studying Italian. A student of Western Michigan University, Jenn is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Spanish with a minor in Social Work. She studied at the Universidad de Burgos, Spain, in 2005 traveling extensively throughout Spain as well as back-packing through Venice, Rome, Florence and Paris

Ibe Sodawalla

Ibe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University, where he studied music education and entrepreneurship. He is currently the Executive Director of the Legends Performing Arts Association from Portage, MI and is a composer/arranger under his business Thoughts in Progress Productions, a company that focuses on creative music design and publications. Ibe has done tour planning/operations for various music ensembles and drum corps across the country focusing on domestic travel, events, workshops, clinics, and performances. He enjoys traveling a great deal and has been overseas on performance tours to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji Islands, and England.

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