Our hearts are overflowing with the myriad of ways we could introduce this week’s guest, but we’ll leave it at: Living Legend. Jeanne O’Connor exemplifies everything it means to “give of talents, time, and song” because that is exactly what she has been doing for over 64 years. Jeanne joined The Village Vocal Chords of Harmony Incorporated at just 14 years old, eventually going on to be their director, leading the group to 20 gold medals. She was also a member of Queen quartets, The Scale Blazers (1964), Esprit De Corps (1974), and U4X (2008). She also lent her voice to winning quartets, Kaleidoscope and Voices. Jeanne is also a longtime volunteer and member of the International Board, including multiple terms as International President. We *could* go on and on, but we’ll let you tune into the interview to learn more!
This week our interview is with barbershop swiss army knife, Lorie Autote. Lorie is a two time queen with For Heaven’s Sake and LiveWire and also a member of champion chorus, Northern Blend. She is currently competing with Vivàce Quartet, too! Listen in for all the wisdom this longtime, successful singer has to share.
From a childhood full of music, to a scary diagnosis, to finding her voice again, Lynn Blakeney clearly doesn’t take her ability to sing for granted. With three sparkly hats and more medals than she can count, you may be surprised to know that Lynn’s focus goes far beyond competing. Listen in as she chats about her time with Upstate Rhythm, LiveWire, Roulette, Northern Blend, and even Village Vocal Chords, plus her perspective as a judge and coach. So much to pack into one episode!
Amy Patterson pulls off quite the balancing act in the sheer amount of things she accomplishes. You can see her singing or directing with A Cappella Showcase, singing with her International level quartets, Empire and Sapphire, quickly building a new mixed chorus with Voices Unlimited, or nurturing the singers of tomorrow with Young Voices. Oh, and then judging, coaching, and teaching. Hear more from this barbershop start out of Ontario on this week’s episode!
Allison Thompson certainly knows how to keep about a dozen balls in the air at once. As the Convention Manager for Harmony, Inc., Allison is the driving force behind the annual International Convention & Contest. This year, she’s also stepped up to help with the organization’s expansion efforts and is leading the team for Harmony Fest West. Hear more about the upcoming events and gain a little insight on what goes into pulling off stellar large-scale events!
Learn more about Harmony, Inc. and Harmony Fest West at harmonyinc.org
This week we celebrate the non-traditional. The dream chasers. The fear facers. Join us for an interview with Teri Allred, a lifelong dancer that dove headfirst into barbershop singing about a decade ago, as we share her journey that is, of course, so much more than just music.
Learn more about Harmony, Inc. – www.harmonyinc.org Learn more about Bella Nova – www.bellanovachorus.com
What happens when you confront hate with kindness? Criticism with resolve? Insecurity with authenticity? All that and more as we talk to Becca Eckes and Stephanie Taglianetti, the treble clef of Smoke Ring. With a well earned meteoric rise in the barbershop community, we talk about what’s behind the curtain. Quite literally!
Jess Leigh has found herself in her rural community arts community, especially in Northern Blend Chorus and Roulette, both 2024 Harmony, Inc. Champions. Hear about her entrance into barbershop and the personal journey behind her path to gold. Authenticity is key, but that’s just the beginning!
An unlikely entrance into barbershop, this lifelong instrumentalist is making waves in the barbershop and vocal music community. Kathleen Hansen is the genius behind the super popular YouTube page and app “Warmups with Kathleen,” a pandemic project that keeps on giving. Kathleen also explores several serious challenges facing directors and programs in the current era.
Sally Galloway explores the mind-body connection and its importance in strengthening the human behind the performer. To learn more about classes, coaching, or connection, visit www.sallygalloway.com
