I was introduced to barbershop harmony by my chorus teacher, a member of SPEBSQSA (now BHS), when I was in 7th grade. I was immediately hooked.  All through high school I sang baritone in a quartet.  One Thursday night, my high school quartet visited a local chapter of Sweet Adelines, the Island Hills Chorus!  The director, George Avener, was so welcoming. He gave us many of his incredible arrangements to sing. 1978 was the year I graduated from high school, and in that same year, IHC won the international contest. I feel that I have been connected to IHC for most of my life.

My passion for four- part harmony brought me back to Island Hills in 1994, after the birth of my first daughter. In addition to participating in the chorus, I sang in a quartet named Rhythm & Rhyme.  We competed 6 times at Regional until our bass relocated to Maine.  After she moved, we formed a new quartet named Savoir Faire, competing three times, and placing 4th at one of our Regional contests. 

In 2018 I became an empty nester and was able to devote more of my time to music.  I officially joined the Music Team, formed the quartet “It’s All Relative” and was invited to become an Assistant Director.  During the pandemic when our director stepped down, my long time friend and quartet member, Barbara Festa and I started to lead the chorus, together. It felt like a very natural next step. Then in November 2022, with the support of a strong music team, I took over as the sole director of Island Hills. It has been an exciting challenge.

Barbershop harmony has been a part of my life for so long that I can hardly remember a time without it. I am so grateful for the people I have met, and for the opportunities that membership in SAI have brought me!