Our Story
Our Philosophy
San Diego Beamers are a group of family and friends dedicated to uplifting people's hearts and souls through the power of music. As passionate musicians, we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment where everyone can connect with the universal language of sound.
Whether you're looking to experience live performances or simply immerse yourself in the joy of music, our band is here to provide an enriching and unforgettable experience.
... and so it is that we joyfully perform
Our Story – A Family Affair :)
We all remember how music influenced our lives as kids. Today, as a collection of married couples, sweethearts, siblings, and dear friends, we play that music once again: The Beatles, Elvis, Classics IV, Todd Rundgren, America, Jesse Colin Young, and many more. We discovered that this mix of music not only enriches our lives but those who hear us perform.
Our Band Manager, Janice, who also manages the quartet Island Mist, is very active with Balboa Park's International Cottages. We're all members of the House of Chamorros (HOC). (Jeff, who we affectionately call "Jelvis," is the President of HOC.)
We began practicing and performing on the HPR stage when the park's few visitors still navigated the malaise of COVID.
Through our love of performing, our love for HOC, and our persistence, we have performed on that stage for several years. We have played for the Lawn Programs for HOC, House of England, and House of China. For the new year of 2025, you can still find us joyfully performing on the first Saturday of nearly every month.
We had been known affectionately as Island Mist (and Friends) but for the new year have officially named ourselves The San Diego Beamers. We continue to perform for HPR, the International Cottages, corporate events, weddings, and private parties.
Come enjoy us for free at Balboa Park, and, of course, feel free to explore our website to get a better feel for us and our music.
Band Members
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
As a young child, Janice wanted to play guitar but was discouraged because it was not a ladylike instrument (supposedly). That didn’t stop her as a young teen, and she taught herself to play by ear. Janice is a skilled guitarist and also plays baritone ukulele. She plays in another band (quartet) which she had started many years ago.
Reed Buell (Diana's Husband)
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
When Reed was a young teenager, his older brother played guitar, which inspired him to learn guitar so they could start a band together. He did indeed later in life join a band (but not with his brother), and especially after he retired from his career in electronic test equipment sales. He spends most of his time playing music and buildi
When Reed was a young teenager, his older brother played guitar, which inspired him to learn guitar so they could start a band together. He did indeed later in life join a band (but not with his brother), and especially after he retired from his career in electronic test equipment sales. He spends most of his time playing music and building stringed instruments. Today he is a fantastic luthier and has made several of the instruments the band uses. He plays guitar, bass, ukulele, and lap steel guitar.
Diana Buell (Reed’s wife)
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
Peter Alvaro (Diana's Brother)
Diana taught piano lessons to help pay her way through college. Today, she mostly plays percussions and ukulele. During the day, Diana works as an accountant.
Peter Alvaro (Diana's Brother)
Janice Waller Bouffiou – Our Band Manager and Lori's sister
Peter Alvaro (Diana's Brother)
Peter retired from management in the US Postal system and recently joined us. He learned to play clarinet in high school but now mostly plays percussion, ukulele, and guitar.
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
Jeff recently retired from the Probation Department, but he still serves there part-time. As a young adult, Jeff was the lead singer in a band. He grew up in a family that all played musical instruments. Back then, he played some piano; today, he mostly plays ukulele and sings. Over the years he has sung professionally for jazz and pop bands.
Benni Schwab (old time friend from Guam)
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
As a teen on Guam, Benni played the drums in an all-girl band which once won the Battle of The Bands. Today, she mostly plays bass and is learning the ukulele. Benni also plays in Janice’s other band.
Lilly McDonald (Rich's wife)
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
Rich McDonald (Lilly’s husband)
Lilly always loved music as a teen – especially the Beatles. She mostly plays the ukulele and plays some piano and guitar. Like Benni, Lilly also plays in Janice’s other band.
Rich McDonald (Lilly’s husband)
Jeff Macaraeg (old time friend from Guam)
Rich McDonald (Lilly’s husband)
Rich learned to play trumpet in high school, and it has only been in the last several years that he picked it up again. Today, Rich plays in two other bands. Although trumpet is his greater passion, he also plays guitar.
Lori Waller (Janice’s sister and Andy’s girlfriend)
Lori Waller (Janice’s sister and Andy’s girlfriend)
Lori Waller (Janice’s sister and Andy’s girlfriend)
Lori loved music as a kid and at the age of 10, she played first-chair trombone in the summer school band. As a teen, Lori learned one song on the guitar (which Janice taught her). In her adult life, Lori worked in the area of finance and business. It was only since 2021 that she had a strong hankering to play guitar. She called Janice an
Lori loved music as a kid and at the age of 10, she played first-chair trombone in the summer school band. As a teen, Lori learned one song on the guitar (which Janice taught her). In her adult life, Lori worked in the area of finance and business. It was only since 2021 that she had a strong hankering to play guitar. She called Janice and that was the beginning of her joy in playing guitar. She also plays the ukulele.
Andy Rathbone (Lori's boyfriend)
Lori Waller (Janice’s sister and Andy’s girlfriend)
Lori Waller (Janice’s sister and Andy’s girlfriend)
Andy wrote many successful technical books, and played lead guitar as a teenager in several garage bands. After playing the ukulele in 1999, he left his guitars behind and switched to playing lead ukulele. For over ten years, Andy played jazz standards in another ukulele band but is now focusing on SD Beamers since he fell in love with Lori.
