Eric Funk Jr., a Clarion native, pursued his dream by attending the Young Americans College of the Performing Arts in California before touring the world for five years with The Young Americans, a performing group that teaches children through musical workshops. He visited 43 U.S. states and multiple countries, including Japan, where he performed for Emperor Akihito, and the U.K., where he participated in a show at Buckingham Palace. Funk described music as a unifying force across cultures and reflected on his experiences staying with host families and adapting to different customs. After years of an intense touring lifestyle, he returned to Clarion in 2023 to be near family, taking on a leadership role at Community Action Inc. while refurbishing a home with his fiancée. Despite considering a return to touring, he appreciates the stability of home life.
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