[nivoslider showcaptions=”Yes” images=”1915,1183,1451″ captions=”The amazing Sharon Babb,Tony DeRosa coaching Harborlites,Showmanship coaching with Erin Howden”]
[team_member fadein=”Fade Up” teamname=”Lea Beverley” teamposition=”Expression” teamimage=”2441″]
[dropcap2]T[/dropcap2]hough a proud native Texan (y’all often slips out), Lea calls Bellevue, Washington home. Formerly self-employed as a corporate tax consultant she is now joyfully pondering future career options.

Lea was classically trained as a pianist, but found Sweet Adelines 25+ years ago and got hooked on singing a cappella. She considers herself a baritone, but has sung lead & bass as well. She’s held many chorus and regional positions from Education Coordinator to Chorus President to Riser Queen (no crown involved!) A member of the Sweet Adelines Intl. Judging Program since 2001, Lea became a Certified Expression Judge in 2006 and has served as a Panel Chair & Judge Analyst. She finds judging quite fulfilling – both delving into barbershop intricacies and getting to know folks around the world.

Coaching has become a passion in the last decade, Lea is currently coaching choruses & quartets across the US. She also coaches extensively throughout New Zealand both in person & via Skype. When not ‘doing music’, Lea loves spending time on the beach, watching baseball & football and creating crafty projects.

[team_member fadein=”Fade Up” teamimage=”850″ teamname=”Erin Howden” teamposition=”Showmanship and Motivation”]
[dropcap2]O[/dropcap2]ne of Harborlites’ trademarks is the energized showmanship and unique choreography that we put on stage — and this choreography is, more likely than not, created by our visual coach Erin Howden.

At a young age, Erin had already gained international renown in the barbershop world for her innovative and clever choreography. She first came to the spotlight as a member of the North Metro Chorus in Toronto where her choreography helped launch that chorus to four gold medals.

Erin travels across North America and around the world, helping both women’s and men’s barbershop choruses add dance, movement, and emotional portrayal to build a connection with their audiences.

A member of North Metro since she was 13, Erin learned barbershop under the leadership of her mother, North Metro Director June Dale. She is now expanding her many skills toward directing; Erin and her Mom directed the Family Chorus at Sweet Adelines International Convention in 2009 to acclaim from around the world. She also serves as a faculty member of Sweet Adelines International and teaches at music schools throughout Canada and the United States.

With Erin’s every visit, the Harborlites Chorus knows we’re going to laugh, we’re going to cry, we’re going to sweat, and we’re going to learn yet another way to add dimension to our music.

[team_member fadein=”Fade Up” teamimage=”373″ teamname=”Tony DeRosa” teamposition=”Crazy Man”]

 

 

[dropcap2]R[/dropcap2]enowned in both the Sweet Adelines and Barbershop Harmony Society, our coach Tony DeRosa grew up singing barbershop music. His father was an accomplished musician and singer in his own right and DeRosa grew up singing under the direction of “Papa Joe” in choruses in New York and Florida as well as listening to his mother perform in her own quartet. Soon after, he began singing in his own family ensemble, The DeRosa 4.

Tony first appeared on the International stage as a tenor at age 12, performing with the Cypress Chord Club. Seven years later, after many appearances at International competitions with District Championship quartets, he captured his first quartet gold medal and became the youngest medal winner with the 1992 International Champion Quartet Keepsake. Tony has followed that quartet gold with two more wins, the first in 2000 with Platinum and in 2007 with Max Q. His current quartet, Main Street, is a top-five International Medalist.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Tony has also been an active chorus director. He is currently directing the Sweet Adelines International Medalist Chorus Toast of Tampa and holds a Master Director 700 certification. In the men’s organization, he has directed the Big Orange Chorus and Tampa Heralds of Harmony Chorus, both based in Florida.

Professionally, Tony works as a church and studio vocalist, as Music Director for the Voices of Liberty at Disney’s Epcot Center, and as vocal director for Celebrity Cruise Lines.

A consummate performer, Tony is in demand as a coach worldwide. When he heads to Harborlites, the chorus knows we will work hard, polish our skills, discover new talents, and laugh every step of the way.

[team_member fadein=”Fade Up” teamimage=”1805″ teamname=”Jeff Baker” teamposition=”In Fond Memory – Laser Ears”]
[dropcap2]I[/dropcap2]f the definition of an ideal barbershop coach would be someone who’s reached the pinnacle of competition — and has the knowledge and talent to show you the way to achieve those heights — then Jeff Baker is an ideal coach.

Jeff began barbershop singing at age 12 alongside his father in the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) chapter in Olean, NY., and at that young age joined his first quartet. He fell in love with performing and was involved in musical theater and summer stock in the New York area for many years, then moved to Los Angeles to attend the Lee Strausberg Theater Institute in Hollywood and pursue acting. He works today as the Manager of Broadcast Operations for Warner Brothers.

But Jeff had not left behind barbershop music. He continued to sing in quartets, winning International competition in 1996 with his group, Nightlife. Jeff has also won eight BHS International chorus championships as a member of the Masters of Harmony. He has performed in 42 of the 50 United States as well as Australia, Fiji, England, Ireland, and Germany.

Sharing his expertise with barbershoppers from around the world, Jeff has been coaching choruses and quartets in both the men’s and women’s organizations. The Harborlites chorus looks forward to Jeff’s insights, his empathy, and his insistence on excellence with every coaching visit.

[team_member fadein=”Fade Up” teamimage=”1201″ teamname=”Sharon Babb” teamposition=”In Fond Memory – Speed Coaching”]
[dropcap2]A[/dropcap2] keen ear, a sharp wit, and a complete understanding of the barbershop art form are just a few of the expert skills our coach Sharon Babb brings to Harborlites. Sharon joined Sweet Adelines International in 1969 and has been an active part of the organization ever since.

She is a current Sweet Adelines International Certified Sound Judge, Music Judge, Music Specialist and a “novice arranger.” A member of the International Faculty for many years, when the category of Master International Faculty was created, she was among the first to receive the designation.

Sharon has directed choruses in the small, mid-sized, and large divisions and, under her leadership, High Country Chorus won the International Chorus Championship in 1987. She has also served in many administrative capacities at the Regional and International level, including many years on the Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors.

In recognition of her years of service benefitting Sweet Adelines around the world, Sharon was awarded the Sweet Adelines International Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

With all of this experience, Sharon is a sought-after coach by both quartets and choruses and Harborlites enjoys every opportunity to work with and learn from this accomplished expert.

[team_member fadein=”Fade Up” teamimage=”378″ teamname=”Joni Bescos” teamposition=”In Fond Memory”]
[dropcap2]J[/dropcap2]oni Bescos is a legend in the world of Sweet Adelines — she did it all and wrote the book on it, too. She was an International Quartet Champion with her quartet, 4 for the Show. She won three International Chorus gold medals while singing with the Rich-Tone Chorus in Richardson, Texas. She directed the Verdugo Hills Chorus from 1966 to 1989, leading them to eight regional championships and five international medals. She was not only a judge in three of four categories — Music, Sound, and Expression — but actually wrote the manual used to train every judge in the program. She also discovered the link between barbershop music and Pythagorean tuning and wrote the text, “How to Arrange Barbershop Harmony,” that is utilized by musical arrangers worldwide.

She also served Sweet Adelines International as an administrator, on many committees, and as a member of the International Board of Directors.

In honor of her many achievements and contributions, Joni was presented the Sweet Adelines’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, the highest honor awarded by the International organization.

We were honored that “Mother Joni” brought all of her talents and skills to us as a frequent coach of the Harborlites and she is sorely missed.

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