Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Vocal HERSpective

Anita Prather Harvell's Harmony, Inc. story starts with a night in a bar, but developed from so much more than that. One of the first faces you'll see at a convention, she brings a wide variety of experiences to the table that help her on and off stage as part of the lifeblood of the organization.

When the Jack of all Trades Barberbrat becomes a Barbershop Queen - who you have is Melody Hine. You can find Melody in all of the barbershop orgs AND hear her arrangements as her work is going through a meteoric rise right now. Harmony Queen with Hot Pursuit in 2019, Melody first took the stage with Song of Atlanta Show Chorus at age 14. You've also seen her with Parkside Melody and we all await the official debut of Lazy Susan, but in the meantime, tune in to hear the interview!

Get to know Fatima Whelan, who brings a wealth of experience and love for the art form to Valley Voices A Cappella Chorus, her quartet Flourish, and to the judging panel for Harmony, Incorporated. We talk about a cappella from barbershop to contemporary, the role music plays in helping people feel like they belong, and so much more!

On this episode we sit down with Jill Clark to talk about her journey from falling in love with a cappella to owning her own production company. It's been quite a ride and we are especially excited to feature Jill as a woman who primarily works on the technical side of things - something that is still so uncommon!

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, and now sings with Coastal 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.

Dr. Thea Kano came on as the surprising choice for Artistic Director of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington 21 years ago. The conversation highlights the important role that music and the arts play in turbulent times and how the chorus lives out their mission to promote equality, achieve justice, and overcome our differences.

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!

Just how much can Amanda and Kris fangirl over one of their favorite arrangers? Find out in Episode 115 with esteemed guest, MaryAnne Muglia Smith! MaryAnne is an accomplished arranger, composer, songwriter, performer, clinician, and just...Renaissance Woman. You may best know her from Red Letter Daze, but you can also find her as a camper turned Director at A Cappella Academy. Hear her story and all of the unexpected places she finds inspiration.

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. Teri currently serves as the Marketing and Communication Team Manager for Harmony, Incorporated, the new President of Bella Nova, A Harmony, Inc., Chorus, and the beloved stage manager for Area 3 Harmony, Inc..

Rachel Tedder chased a dream and found herself in Germany where she has performed in a variety of setting for over a decade. The founder of OperAcappella, The Poperettes, and The Christmas Carollers, Rachel has also immersed herself in the European vocal music community and is diving head first into the concept of vocal painting. So much to pack into this interview - don't miss a minute!

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!

Rochelle Rice is a captivating vocalist, composer, and creative force whose music blends jazz, soul, and pop with undeniable emotion and technical brilliance. Rochelle is a self-proclaimed jack of all trades and underlying all of it is collaboration, whether with her band, ensemble bēheld, or the iconic Sweet Honey In The Rock®, or one of her many other projects. In addition to these music projects, Rochelle has also launched and is now on tour with Tell Her This, a dynamic fusion of podcasting, visual art, and live music that amplifies the voices and wisdom of women.

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, an experienced performer, director, and mental health and wellness professional, uses her unique collection of expertise to help performers change their tune.

Gaye LaCasce talks about her journey in harmony and in Harmony, Inc - often one in the same! Combining her lifelong love music with executive experience in the corporate world, Gaye's leadership is guiding the organization to new heights.

Jen Hayman has experience in every role in the music business, but she always have the same mission of using her voice and giving a voice to others. Working with her is a masterclass in bringing meaning and mission over content.

Longtime singer Kelly Peterson has sung in ensembles across the country and is now using her background in music business as the first ever Executive Director of Harmony, Inc. While continuing to sing, of course!

Angie Beatty-Ringo was born into barbershop. Learn more about the path that brought her to Harmony, Incorporated, the work she is doing as Area 6 Director, and the charge she is leading in generating a new wave of growth for choruses and quartets everywhere.

Natalie Feddon shares insight on the latest in LABBS and how her active approach is supporting the growth of women's barbershop in the UK.

This week's episode features an interview with Kim Newcomb of The Ladies and Half and Half Quartet, the voice behind your learning tracks, and otherwise amazing human. Kim is definitely on the forefront of advancing women in barbershop and you'll want to hear what she has to say in this extended episode.

On Episode 101, world-renowned performance and presentation guru Theresa Weatherbee shares her expertise and humor as she talks about her experience coaching performance both inside and outside the barbershop world. The interview goes beyond buzzwords and digs deep into what it takes to entertain an audience - the perfect advice for competition season!

We did it! We made it to 100! Vocal HERspective hits a huge milestone tonight with Episode 100! Guest Angie Choo joins the podcast all the way from Singapore to talk about her incredible contributions to the a cappella community through The A Cappella Society supporting everyone from children to seniors and even offering a program for the blind, So many great things that the world should know about (and replicate!

Vocal HERspective returns as the hosts check in after a busy caroling season that ALMOST felt like normal. Minus the COVID surge, avoiding exposure, the return to masking, the constant testing, the staff juggling, and now the uncertain near future. A must listen for anyone navigating how to rehearse and perform and trying to plan for any of it right now!

You know when you watch a performer and you are immediately captivated by their magic? That's what you get from ARORA's Rachel Bearer, both on and off stage. On this week's Vocal HERspective, you'll hear about her slightly unconventional path into the ethereal, original electro-cappella sound we've come to know and love. Plus, more about all of the cool things she's working on now.

Blair Brown is trailblazing in the barbershop community - not just for women, but for all. A member of Double Date and the first ever non-male member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, she's also part of the most recent class of judge candidates. There's lots to unpack, but suffice to say, barbershop is in good hands with people like Blair. The interview premieres on Vocal HERspective at 6 pm Pacific tonight

This week on Vocal HERspective, Amanda catches up with the beautiful and talented human being that is Clare Wheeler. Accomplished performer, arranger, composer, conductor, and coach, you may know her best from her 11 years with The Swingles, but you'll want to hear the whole story!

On Episode 95, Amanda Pitts of Adrenaline chats about her life in barbershop - and don't let her age fool you - she was one of the youngest women ever to take the stage for Sweet Adelines International! Plus, there's lots more on the horizon.

Kris and Amanda head to Toronto to chat with Jordana Talsky, an incredible performer and songwriter introduced to the wider world of a cappella through her involvement with the Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. The interview covers looping, the writing process, being in the studio, live performance and just the heart of what being a creative artist means. And even a little taste of her latest amazing album.

When you think of barbershop families, the McAlexander family is impossible to miss. A fixture at conventions and a leader in community conversations, Ann McAlexander talks about how barbershop become integrated into their family life, watching her kids grow into their own in the artform, the direction she'd love the community to take, and why you should just come up and say hi.

This week, Kris and Amanda sit down with Lynique Webster. Lynique cut through the crowd to have some of the most memorable collegiate performances in recent memory. From there, she took a chance on JUNE and launched Nomadic, a group with a bright future ahead. She shares her journey through grief and how her mom inspired to to cut to the chase.

There's a lot to be celebrated about taking risks, and Ariel Arbisser did just that. We promised to have her back to celebrate the release of her solo album, Risk of Love, and that moment is here! Hear more about the album, the process, and the importance of trust and collaboration in Episode 91!

For Episode 90 of Vocal HERspective, hosts Kris and Amanda sit down with barbershop royalty. Queen of Harmony Sandi Wright earned her first Sweet Adelines crown with the Tetrachords in 1978 and hasn't stopped since. She won again with Ambiance in 1986, performed and directed St. Louis Harmony Chorus, and now St. Louis Vocal Project. Aside from stories and tips from her barbershop career, Sandi also shares her advice on preserving your aging voice.

Be inspired by this week's interview on Vocal HERspective with guest Mary Ann East, who has dedicated her career to empowerment through music, directing multiple choirs for young girls, women, and even dementia patients and their caregivers. In these continued trying times, be reminded of all the ways that music keeps us going.

Barbershoppers recognize the Tramack family name - a family descended from multiple generations of chord ringers with no sign of slowing up anytime soon. Vocal HERspective speaks with Samantha Tramack from the youngest generation of stars. From begging to join the New England Voices in Harmony at age 6 to winning her first crown with Taken 4 Granite, she's just getting started.

Vocal HERspective heads to The Netherlands this week for an interview with Merel Martens - composer, arranger, director, performer, educator - she does it all. Not only that, she does it all while radiating true joy and love for the music. Heading up education with Vocal Leadership, a member of The Real Group Academy team, and leading groups like MAZE to great success is just part of her story.

This week on Vocal HERspective, Kris and Amanda meet with two-time Harmony Queen, Morgan La Croix. Morgan is pretty much a lifelong barbershopper, taking to the risers at a very young age. She's shared her magic with so many different communities within Harmony, Inc and has so much more to give. You can hear her sing with her latest chorus Northern Blend Chorus or her current quartet Roulette - HI Quartet.

There are legends... and then there are LEGENDS. Vocal HERspective sits down with New York Voices' soprano, Kim Nazarian on tonight's episode. Her immense talent is only matched by what a lovely human she is. Hear about her experiences as a performer, educator, and clinician - jobs that have taken her all over the world from universities to top festivals and camps, including A Cappella Camp, vokal.total, Ithaca College, and more. She is adding to the list with her recent appointment as the Artistic Director of the DiMiero JazzFest. Seriously, if we listed everything she's done here you'd be here all day, so you'll have to tune in to hear more!

Vocal HERspective checks in with Wendy Spilker of Take 4 Quartet for a bird's eye view of barbershop and how it not only changed her life, but brings joy in so many ways!

Kris and Amanda put Talkappella co-host Elicia Edwards in the hot seat. The interview covers everything from BYU Noteworthy, how she met Brian, singing bass, and cats, of course!

When there is a lack of representation, the brave step up to correct it. A decade ago, a small group of enthusiasts recognized that Canada needed its own world class festival and Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival was born and has gone on to become one of the most unique festivals found anywhere. This week on Vocal HERspective, Amanda and Kris chat with Pat Silver, the heartbeat of this incredible movement.

On this week's episode of Vocal HERspective Amanda and Kris chat with Sara Wood, one of the founding members of Bella Nova, A Harmony, Inc., Chorus, who is using her experience in the non-profit association world to guide the arts into the post-pandemic era.

Harmony, Inc. is a led by an incredible team of volunteers and the organization is luck to have Linda Brehaut as president of the International Board of Directors as the world navigates a time that has been especially unkind to performers.

"If it doesn't exist, I can just make it myself." When co-hosts of the Lez Hang Out podcast saw the need for more feel good queer content, they teamed up with some amazing producers and performers to create The Flame - a one of a kind original musical podcast debuting on June 2!

On Episode 78, we welcome guest Tiffany Haigler, president of Capital Blend and member of the Board of Directors for the Contemporary A Cappella League. In the same way that her smile lights up a room, the positive energy she brings to her interview will brighten up you evening. She talks about her group's secrets to success as they find time for their passions while they navigate all of the challenges of adulthood together.

Lindsey McGowen is tonight's guest on Vocal HERspective. She chats with Kris & Amanda about her journey, her challenges, and the joy she found in the extra time foisted on her by the pandemic.

See those smiles? Vocal HERspective hosts Kris & Amanda have a lot to be happy about after a week of performing that *almost* looked like normal. On tonight's episode they chat about the excitement and the concerns about the new road ahead for musicians.