CURTAIN CALL
Penny Parisi • Laura Smith • Jan Steese • Jackie Wheatley

We're sure some of our fellow quartets have had this experience – someone will actually ask how many are in your quartet. We've always had to (patiently) reply that quartet means..ah..four. Well, last Spring at Regional Contest, we had the opportunity of introducing our quartet, Curtain Call, as having six. Of course, two of the "singers" were being transported by our pregnant lead, Laura. Well, the twins have made their entrance!!  On June 1, Graham and Kaley Simkins came singing into the world and are doing fine!  As you might expect, Curtain Call had to take a temporary hiatus...it seems twins can keep a mom pretty darn busy!



The three harmony singers will be at Summer Sizzler cheering on the two novice quartets from Verdugo Hills.  We hope all the competitors have a great time!  Hope to see you at regional next Spring (if not sooner).

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EXTRA! EXTRA!
Debi Veder • Linda Ragsdale • Val Sweatt • Sandra Chance

We continue to keep ourselves busy adding to our repertoire and setting goals.  Having been named, "Most Improved Quartet" by an increase of 90 points is something to feel really good about!  You could have blown all of us over with a feather when that was announced.

In May we shared in the fabulous experience of traveling to and performing in Japan with Channelaire Chorus.  What a beautiful country – the people, customs, scenery, food … FABULOUS.  (Some of us had our very first sushi!)  Our Sandy wasn't able to join us because she had a big trip of her own coming up. So…we prevailed upon Peggy Hels to sing with us while we were there. A huge thank you, Peg! Sandy is back now and we're soooooo happy.

Val has been busier than ever and took a well-deserved vacation in Sedona, Arizona. We were afraid she might not come back! Japan – work a month – Sedona! Guess it makes sense (just kidding!). Debi is such a proud Mom. Her son (our Alex) graduated with top honors from high school and will be attending UCSB. We are all very proud of him!

We look forward to cheering the novice quartets on this weekend and wish you the very best time on stage.

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OOH LA LA
Barbara Adams • Jonni Anderson • Judy Hatch

Ooh, there is SO much change happening in La La land!  Firstly, we are still auditioning for our new lead, so if any of you sassy leads have an interest in singing with 3 very fun and motivated harmony singers, give Jonni a call.

Speaking of Jonni (or JD, as we all call her), we promised an update on her. Right now, "change" is Jonni's middle name. After being married more than half of her life, JD is divorced. This has brought on a whole avalanche of changes and firsts. Can you believe this is the first time she has EVER lived alone? JD spent the first couple of months just trying to figure out how to do the grocery shopping, dry cleaning, housekeeping, cat feeding details. (Her wasband always took care of these things since he worked shorter hours.)  You're all probably groaning at that last declaration, but since she works and commutes more than 12 hours a day, it was the best solution. One of the hardest parts of all is finding places for all of her SHOES in her 750 square foot apartment. Honestly, she has 750sq.ft of clothes and accessories...a true La La!

Jonni has 2 grown kids and 2 granddaughters. Her son, Craig, and his family all live in New Jersey where he is attending Rutgers on a graduate research grant. He is a meteorologist, specializing in air quality forecasting. Her daughter, Karen, is a Master (personal) Trainer and is recently engaged to be married in the Spring.

When she's not singing, JD is a Human Resources Manager and has been with Enterprise Rent-A-Car for 23 years. She is responsible for the Southern California Group for the Fleet Management Division. Jonni also is a fine cook, loves to dance, takes yoga, makes jewelry, draws and paints... you name it...she does it.

Stay tuned for the next exciting "getting to know you" installment where we highlight Barbara!

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RIO
Karen Betancourt • Dani Avalos-Prigge • Alisa Zichterman • Diane McGrath

Wow! To say Río is thrilled beyond belief is no understatement! We are having a fabulous time as your Regional Champs, working hard to do Region 11 proud in Calgary. Our amazing Celebration Chorus has been incredibly supportive of us in our journey. They put together a money tree to help with expenses before Regional Contest, and have donated half their proceeds from a recent rummage sale to our coffers. In addition, we headlined the chapter show on August 11 (saw some of you there!) to help us on our way. Almost a third of our chorus is going to Calgary to cheer us on. Hope to see many of you there as well.

Our Spring and Summer have been busy getting music ready for the show and Calgary. We had an awesome coaching session with Dale Syverson in May, and also our own favorite lady, Linda Kelly, late last month. We wish the best to Shimmer! as they once again take the International stage as a Top 15 quartet, and to our wonderful chorus champs, Celebrity City. All you competing novice quartets out there, have a blast this weekend – laugh lots, learn lots, and enjoy this time together. We'll see you in Calgary!

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SIERRA SOUND
Cheryl Borthick • Francine Stirling • Debby Fieber

Sierra Sound was so excited at this past regional contest with our improved score. And now, like quite a few quartets, we are looking for a new tenor!!  Our beautiful and vivacious Dianne is moving to Indio to be nearer her children and grandchildren. We can't blame her – all of our's live within shouting distance. But 3 people do not make a quartet. Anyone out there available? We sing all over the place in the Kern Valley and we are hard working and improving all the time. Love to hear from you!! Our best to all competitors and congratulations to all going to Calgary.

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SERIOUS TREBLE
Melissa Hockenberger • Shelly Wilner • Debra Hockenberger • Jeannie Vercillo

We've had some great opportunities since Contest. In April we sang at the Torrance Invitational Song Festival along with the eclectic Hollywood Master Chorale and Torrance Civic Chorale. Thanks to those of you who came to support us! In May we had inspiring coaching sessions with Linda Kelly and Anne Casey. In June we sang at a variety show created by the director of Cirque du Soleil. Thanks to all the Sweet Adelines who came to see us. Cirque director, Stefan Haves, fell in love with 4-part a cappella and said he'd definitely include us in future shows. We'll keep you posted!  It was super fun singing in different formations: Melissa got sick before our 2nd performance, so Tove Hoch sang in her place. (Tove learned two songs in 24 hours !) And since Shelly gave birth to her 2nd daughter, Brett, a few days later, Laura Pallas, Lisa Kneebone, Tove Hoch, and Judy Hatch agreed to sing in our place for the final show! In July we auditioned for a TV show (we'll let you know what happened). Another little teaser: We've been invited to sing on several chapter shows this fall, so watch for the upcoming information.

Congratulations, Rio! We'll be rooting for you (and Shimmer!) in Calgary. Way to go, Santa Monica– can't wait to go to San Antonio again…this time with castanets! Good luck, novice quartets. (Go Queen Dido!) And thank you to Winners' Circle and Region 11 for the chance to coach with the Buzz!

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SHIMMER!
Patty Cobb Baker • Missy Pearce • Judy Ashmore • Mary Ashford

Shimmer! sends thanks to Region 11 and to the Channelaire Chorus for hosting a most magical Regional weekend in March. We also thank our fellow members in the Winners' Circle for the incredible amount of support throughout the weekend.

Between May and July, there have been Shimmer! Sightings in Phoenix, England, Fiji, Japan, Cabo San Lucas, Bakersfield, Hawaii, Denver, San Antonio and again in Hawaii. Shimmer! was sighted singing on the Club 21 quartet showcase in Phoenix. Judy was sighted in the Judges Pit in jolly old England, while Missy and Doug were sighted in scuba gear in Fiji. Judy and Mary were sighted in Japan with Channelaire. Mary was sighted on a Shop n' Sing in WinCo in Bakersfield, while Patty and hubby Jeff were sighted lounging in Cabo and hitting the BHS convention in Denver. Judy and Patty were sighted at IES in San Antonio, while Missy and Doug were sighted snorkeling in Hawaii. Shimmer! was also sighted singing "Santa Baby" in Hollywood on their audition for the TV show, "Nip/Tuck".

Shimmer!'s coaching calendar included Jeff "Sing Better" Baker, Sandy Robinson, Dale Syverson, Lynne Smith and Betty Clipman. Over the weekend, Shim! will be busy as bees coaching with Debbie Connelly and the Buzz.

Congratulations to Voices Unlimited and Sweet Synergy for representing Region 11 at IES. You were awesome and we are very fortunate to have such talent in our region.

Good luck to all novice quartets – go out there and show your stuff. You've worked hard and it's time to let it fly!

Shimmer! is thrilled to represent Regions 21 and 11 in Calgary. We look forward to sharing the stage with One Voice, Razzcals, Sparx, Rio, Harborlites and Celebrity City. Our special thanks for the terrific support we continually receive from Channelaire, Harborlites, Harmony Showcase, and South Valley Sound!  We love our choruses!

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