Twin Cities Show Chorus, Sweet Adelines Int'l - Hire Us

Music Staff - Education
Director	Judy Olson	E-Mail	Vocal Technique Coach & Education Coordinator
Associate Director	Mary Zgonc	E-Mail	Vocal Technique Coach
Assistant Director (1)	Barb Harvey	E-Mail	Guest Coordinator Bari Section Coordinator Trax Techie
Assistant Director (2)	Shelley Meier	E-Mail	Quartet Promotion Bass Section Coordinator Trax Techie
Music Team	Kathy Gray (Ch)		Learning Tapes & CDs Education
	Wendy Hamilton		Lead Section Coordinator Notes & Words Coordinator
	Karen Kennerly		Team Member Coach Coordinator
	Irene Hedtke		Team Member
	Carolyn Plank		Team Member
	Merilee Spaeth		Coaching Notes Music Change Notation
	Darlene Solheim		Coaching Coordinator On-the-Road Show Coordinator Quartet Promotion Co-coordinator
	Nancy Ellis		On-the-Road Show Coordiantor
	Dawn Bradshaw		New Member Orientation Coordinator Music Library Coordinator Board Liaison Taping Charts Tenor Section Coordinator
	Bev Kenealey		Voice Lesson Coordinator Music Co-Librarian
	Lynda Schoonover		Music Co-Librarian
	Gloria Gillette		Super Singer Program Coordinator
	Yvonne Sjostrand		In-House Coach
	Section Leaders		TENORS: Bev Kenealey
			LEADS: Nancy Ellis, Wendy Hamilton, Nadine Nelson
			BARIS: Kathy Gray, Barb Harvey
			BASSES: Mary Jo Zgonc, Darlene Solheim, Bev Swanson

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T.C.S.C. Master Director - Judy Olson

"The people are everything at T.C."

The inspiration and motivation behind the chorus music team is the amazingly gifted Judy Olson, who has the talent, tact, and energy to lead and direct a very diverse group of women toward commonly set goals by balancing extreme hard work with loads of humor.

Judy found Sweet Adelines in 1965 and joined the Minneapolis-based City of Lakes Chorus. After several years she moved north and continued her barbershop interest with the Duluth Harbor Chords Chorus. Upon her return to Minneapolis she rejoined the City of Lakes Chorus and became their Assistant Director and Choreographer. She accepted her current position as Director of the award-winning Twin Cities Chorus in 1981 and earned her Master Director designation at Regional Competition in 1998.

Judy Olson 1993 Int'l

Judy is an accomplished choreographer and a member of the Sweet Adelines International Music Faculty. She travels frequently, coaching choruses and quartets in staging, choreography and performance techniques. She has also served as Can-Am Region 6 Director of Musical Activities.

Judy sang lead in the 1981 first place Regional champion quartet, Sunshine Special. Not busy enough, Judy also performs several nights a month as the alto singer with a mixed quartet, the Nostalgics.

This group is an integral part of the local Classic Big Band under the direction of Dan Odegaard. Judy says singing with the band "feeds her soul".
PHOTO LEFT: The Nostalgics top l-r: Joel Kleschold, Pam Parker, Judy Olson, Reeves Cary]

Besides coming from a "theatre family" with a genuine love for anything to do with stagecraft, Judy holds a B.A. in Music Education from North Dakota State University and has taught junior high vocal music in both Osseo and Duluth, Minnesota.

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T.C.S.C. Associate Director - MaryJo Zgonc
"The Music Team is just that ... a Team!" Voicepart: Bass. Joined Forest Lake Chorus in 1974. Former director of Forest Lake Chorus. Transferred to Twin Cities in 1996. She is working on her Director Certification and has applied to become a member of the Regional Music Faculty. Mary Jo's love of music began when she started taking piano lessons at the age of eight and continued through high school with involvement in band, choir, numerous recitals and musical contests. Even through RN nursing studies, she took private music lessons at St. Benedict's College in St. Joseph, MN and further studies at McPhail Center for the Arts (Extension of the University of Minnesota) in Minneapolis. When introduced to Sweet Adelines in 1974, this talented musician seemed a "natural fit". "The harmonies and overtones just got me hooked!" As Assistant Director of the Forest Lake Chorus, Mary Jo used her ear for tuning chords, her background in piano performance and instruction, and her experience as Director of Music for her church in Lindstrom to help the chorus rise to international competition level. She eventually became director and advanced them to Sweet Adelines International competition in Houston Texas in 1988. Mary Jo transferred to the Twin Cities Chorus in 1996 and soon took on the position of Associate Director under Judy. Mary Jo is a major contributor to Judy and the Music Staff of the T.C. chorus. Her warmth, energy, and enthusiasm inspire chorus members to strive for new heights and continued growth in music.

T.C.S.C. Associate Director - MaryJo Zgonc

"The Music Team is just that ... a Team!"

Voicepart: Bass. Joined Forest Lake Chorus in 1974. Former director of Forest Lake Chorus.
Transferred to Twin Cities in 1996. She is working on her Director Certification and has applied to become a member of the Regional Music Faculty.

Mary Jo's love of music began when she started taking piano lessons at the age of eight and continued through high school with involvement in band, choir, numerous recitals and musical contests. Even through RN nursing studies, she took private music lessons at St. Benedict's College in St. Joseph, MN and further studies at McPhail Center for the Arts (Extension of the University of Minnesota) in Minneapolis.

Mary Jo Zgonc

When introduced to Sweet Adelines in 1974, this talented musician seemed a "natural fit". "The harmonies and overtones just got me hooked!" As Assistant Director of the Forest Lake Chorus, Mary Jo used her ear for tuning chords, her background in piano performance and instruction, and her experience as Director of Music for her church in Lindstrom to help the chorus rise to international competition level. She eventually became director and advanced them to Sweet Adelines International competition in Houston Texas in 1988.

Mary Jo transferred to the Twin Cities Chorus in 1996 and soon took on the position of Associate Director under Judy.

Mary Jo is a major contributor to Judy and the Music Staff of the T.C. chorus. Her warmth, energy, and enthusiasm inspire chorus members to strive for new heights and continued growth in music.

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T.C.S.C. Assistant Director - Barb Harvey
"I used to sing along with the radio and fill in the missing harmonies. Altho' the tenor is nice, the bari harmony makes the 'ring' happen!" Voicepart: Baritone. Achieved her Director Certification in 2008. Barb joined the Forest Lake Chorus in 1967 and transferred to Twin Cities in 1999.
Barb grew up harmonizing with her aunt and cousins around the family piano. She attributes her love of harmony (especially 4-part) to early exposure to a quartet called the Max-i-Moms [all relatives]. Barb joined the Forest Lake Chorus in 1967 [currently Lakes Area Chorus] as a tenor and transferred to the Twin Cities Chorus in 1999 as a baritone. She served as an Assistant Director for the Forest Lake Chorus for almost the entire time as well as serving on her chapter board and the music committee. She became one of Judy's Assistant Directors for T.C. shortly after joining them in 2001 and continues to serve on the Music Team. She says "I'd never want to become the actual director - it's way too much work! [Besides which, I'd become a very nasty person as I don't have the patience it requires to be a good teacher.]" For several short years, she served on the Regional Music Faculty Team and as Regional WebManager from 1999-2007. Barb is single, a Graphics Designer by trade, and does freelance web design amongst other things in her semi-retirement. She has also sung alto with the Roseville Big Band on ocassion. In high school, the choir director eventually weeded her out of the choir because her voice kept sticking out! She played the pipe organ at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for several years just after high school. "Those who knew me as a kid will tell you I was painfully shy. Now I love getting up in front of an audience. Those wonderful ladies in Sweet Adelines have a LOT to answer for!" "No matter the time and effort I put into this hobby, it continues to give back so much more, especially in the way of some really terrific friends who like the same things I do! Baritone fits me like a glove - I absolutely love the challenge of adding the missing harmony notes. It's the baritone notes that create those fabulous OVERTONES! In my life I've been extremely fortunate to have been able to combine my three great passions - music, art, and theater in my hobby." "Other things I have learned from Sweet Adelines ... That audiences will love you if you love them first (no matter what you look like) Love and knowledge is meant to be shared without reservation (and gobs of humor) Some people can be dangerous to stand next to on the risers. If you don't sing the right notes, you get an elbow in the ribs!" Barb's Quartet History is both rich and extensive: 2004-2007 Good News! retired as Mic Testers. 2005 5th place Medalists. Bass, Bev Swanson, Lead-Wendy Hamilton, Bari-Barb Harvey, Tenor- Sharon Gardner. Sarah Schandle replaced Sharon as tenor in October 2005. 2003 Just 4 the Moment: Bass, Bev Swanson, Lead-Wendy Hamilton, Bari-Barb Harvey, Tenor- Sharon Gardner 2001-2002 KeyChange - Tenor-Lee Lundgren, Bass-Duane Gawler, Lead-Gloria Gillette, Bari-Barb Harvey. This quartet resulted from a parts taping session. We never competed, but enjoyed filling in the holes when needed at chorus performances. 1999 - The TrebleMakers: Tenor-Elaine Burke, Lead-Rosie Feit, Bass-Pat Videen, Bari-Barb Harvey. When Karen decided to retire, Patti took over bass and Rosie came in as lead. 1998 - Just 4 Today - Tenor-Elaine Burke, Bass-Lisa Bonine, Lead-Barb Harvey, Baritone-Junie Dale. "Give My Regards to Broadway" & "If You Had All the World and It's Gold". I just had to try singing lead once, so I borrowed Elaine from TrebleMakers and we gave it a try! 1993-1996 - TrebleMakers: Tenor-Elaine Burke, Bass-Karen Marcio, Lead-Pat Videen (front) Bari, Barb Harvey. 1995 "All By Myself", "I Don't Want to Get Thin!". 1994 - "I'm Sitting on Top of the World", "When I Leave the World Behind". I will treasure the years I spent with these special ladies for the absolutely fabulous humor they brought into my life. I learned so much from Karen and Patti about stage presence including some really special insights into human nature and connecting with an audience. We had some really unique repertoire. 1994 - State Fair 2nd our nite with "The Popcorn Song". 1993 - State Fair 1st our nite, 2nd overall with "I Don't Want To Get Thin", 1993 - Region 6 Novice and 4th place. "Tomorrow", "When I Leave the World Behind" 1987-1993 - JB Jamboree: Barb Harvey-baritone, Becky Blakslee-lead, Judy Tschimperle-bass, Bev Kenealey-tenor. These ladies spoiled me royally because our voices fit so well and because of their special talents for learning and arranging music on the fly by ear. When Becky joined us, we had to make a recording for her 'cause none of the arrangements were sung as written - much less written down! Our theme song was a song Judy found and had Marie Johnson arrange specially for us called "I Am A Singer!" (by Jack Jones). That song and arrangement continue to be special to me still today as is Marie Johnson and her hubby David. Regional Competition Placements: 1988-7th of 15. Becky new, 1989-3rd Plc, 1990-2nd Plc (7 pts from 1st!), 1991-3rd Plc, 1992-5th Plc. 1983-1987 - JB Jamboree: Bev Kenealey-tenor, Jane Wester-lead, Barb Harvey-baritone, Judy Tschimperle-bass. We did 2 taping sessions, one with Jane and one with Becky. They both contained 40-45 different arrangements - repeating only a few - and those had some changes to the arrangements! Regional Competition Placements: 3/83-4th Place & Novice Quartet Awd, 4/84-4th Place, 3/85-4th Place, 4/86-2nd Place. 1981 - 1983 - Adam's Ribs: Connie Strohschein-tenor, Kathleen Lynch-lead, Karen Marcio-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone. Our theme song was "Adam's Rib", of course. It was sung to the tune of "When You Wore a Tulip". Kathleen and her girlfriends had made up the words to it back in college days! 1978-1979 - Show Stoppers: Barb Harvey-tenor, Jan Martinson-lead, Teddy Goeritz-baritone, Karen Marcio-bass. Sang for one White Bear Lakes Chorus show and that was it. 1977-1978 - Sounds Contagious: Lou Sevelin-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone, Marge Johnson-tenor, Dar Bergeron/Marian Fredlund-lead 1975-1977 - No-Names (not regis.): Lou Sevelin-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone, Marge Johnson-tenor, Dar Bergeron/Marian Fredlund-lead. 1974-1975 - Sound Appeal: Roxie LeTendre-lead, Sherryl Johnson-tenor, Barb Harvey-baritone, Karen Marcio-bass. We were just trying things out - "pickup" different quartet parts for once-in-a-while performances. 1971-1974 - Sounds Contagious: Lou Sevelin-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone, Marge Johnson-tenor, Dar Bergeron/Marian Fredlund-lead 1972-1974 Humbugs: Barb Harvey-Tenor, Sharon Wehner-Lead, Jacquie Nelson-Bari, new bass-Marg Olson. The flowered dress was our one competition outfit. Sang: "Where the Black-Eyed Susans Grow" 1970-1971 - Pied Pipers: Made it to 4th Place a couple times. Barb Harvey-tenor, Sharon Wehner-Lead, Jacquie Nelson-Bari, Kit Roberson-Bass 1967 - Pied Pipers: Barb Harvey-tenor, Sharon Wehner-Lead, Jacquie Nelson-Bari, Mary Bakeberg-Bass. The FIRST QUARTET is always a unique experience. There's nothing to compare. Looking back I see the "stages of quartet growth" very clearly. With your inexperienced "ears", you always think you sound better than the winners in the quartet contest. There's a special bond that develops no matter if you get along or not - there's just something about harmonizing together that links the four of you somehow. And that first parting of the ways can be very painful. I still recall fondly, the first song I ever learned with this quartet - Scarlet Ribbons - and the first trip to Regional Competition as a quartet. We took the train from St Paul to Milwaukee (Region 6 included Wisconsin back then). Since it was springtime, the St Croix river was flooded and the train had to take some detours. What was supposed to be about a 6 hour trip turned into an overnighter! Of course, being young and foolish, we stayed up and sang all night! When it came to contest, Sharon didn't have much voice left! Had to be one of the best times I've ever had. Those were the days when you could sing in your rooms and wander from room to room in your bathrobe to listen to other groups after contest. We basically took over the hotel. I'll never forget it - that's for sure.

T.C.S.C. Assistant Director - Barb Harvey

"I used to sing along with the radio and fill in the missing harmonies. Altho' the tenor is nice, the bari harmony makes the 'ring' happen!"

Voicepart: Baritone. Achieved her Director Certification in 2008.
Barb joined the Forest Lake Chorus in 1967 and transferred to Twin Cities in 1999.

Barb grew up harmonizing with her aunt and cousins around the family piano. She attributes her love of harmony (especially 4-part) to early exposure to a quartet called the Max-i-Moms [all relatives].

Barb joined the Forest Lake Chorus in 1967 [currently Lakes Area Chorus] as a tenor and transferred to the Twin Cities Chorus in 1999 as a baritone. She served as an Assistant Director for the Forest Lake Chorus for almost the entire time as well as serving on her chapter board and the music committee. She became one of Judy's Assistant Directors for T.C. shortly after joining them in 2001 and continues to serve on the Music Team. She says "I'd never want to become the actual director - it's way too much work! [Besides which, I'd become a very nasty person as I don't have the patience it requires to be a good teacher.]" For several short years, she served on the Regional Music Faculty Team and as Regional WebManager from 1999-2007.

Barb is single, a Graphics Designer by trade, and does freelance web design amongst other things in her semi-retirement. She has also sung alto with the Roseville Big Band on ocassion. In high school, the choir director eventually weeded her out of the choir because her voice kept sticking out! She played the pipe organ at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for several years just after high school.

"Those who knew me as a kid will tell you I was painfully shy. Now I love getting up in front of an audience. Those wonderful ladies in Sweet Adelines have a LOT to answer for!"

"No matter the time and effort I put into this hobby, it continues to give back so much more, especially in the way of some really terrific friends who like the same things I do! Baritone fits me like a glove - I absolutely love the challenge of adding the missing harmony notes. It's the baritone notes that create those fabulous OVERTONES! In my life I've been extremely fortunate to have been able to combine my three great passions - music, art, and theater in my hobby."

"Other things I have learned from Sweet Adelines ...

That audiences will love you if you love them first (no matter what you look like)
Love and knowledge is meant to be shared without reservation (and gobs of humor)
Some people can be dangerous to stand next to on the risers. If you don't sing the right notes, you get an elbow in the ribs!"

Barb's Quartet History is both rich and extensive:

2004-2007 Good News! retired as Mic Testers. 2005 5th place Medalists. Bass, Bev Swanson, Lead-Wendy Hamilton, Bari-Barb Harvey, Tenor- Sharon Gardner. Sarah Schandle replaced Sharon as tenor in October 2005.
2003 Just 4 the Moment: Bass, Bev Swanson, Lead-Wendy Hamilton, Bari-Barb Harvey, Tenor- Sharon Gardner
2001-2002 KeyChange - Tenor-Lee Lundgren, Bass-Duane Gawler, Lead-Gloria Gillette, Bari-Barb Harvey. This quartet resulted from a parts taping session. We never competed, but enjoyed filling in the holes when needed at chorus performances.
1999 - The TrebleMakers: Tenor-Elaine Burke, Lead-Rosie Feit, Bass-Pat Videen, Bari-Barb Harvey. When Karen decided to retire, Patti took over bass and Rosie came in as lead.
1998 - Just 4 Today - Tenor-Elaine Burke, Bass-Lisa Bonine, Lead-Barb Harvey, Baritone-Junie Dale. "Give My Regards to Broadway" & "If You Had All the World and It's Gold". I just had to try singing lead once, so I borrowed Elaine from TrebleMakers and we gave it a try!
1993-1996 - TrebleMakers: Tenor-Elaine Burke, Bass-Karen Marcio, Lead-Pat Videen (front)
Bari, Barb Harvey. 1995 "All By Myself", "I Don't Want to Get Thin!". 1994 - "I'm Sitting on Top of the World", "When I Leave the World Behind". I will treasure the years I spent with these special ladies for the absolutely fabulous humor they brought into my life. I learned so much from Karen and Patti about stage presence including some really special insights into human nature and connecting with an audience. We had some really unique repertoire. 1994 - State Fair 2nd our nite with "The Popcorn Song". 1993 - State Fair 1st our nite, 2nd overall with "I Don't Want To Get Thin", 1993 - Region 6 Novice and 4th place. "Tomorrow", "When I Leave the World Behind"
1987-1993 - JB Jamboree: Barb Harvey-baritone, Becky Blakslee-lead, Judy Tschimperle-bass, Bev Kenealey-tenor. These ladies spoiled me royally because our voices fit so well and because of their special talents for learning and arranging music on the fly by ear. When Becky joined us, we had to make a recording for her 'cause none of the arrangements were sung as written - much less written down! Our theme song was a song Judy found and had Marie Johnson arrange specially for us called "I Am A Singer!" (by Jack Jones). That song and arrangement continue to be special to me still today as is Marie Johnson and her hubby David. Regional Competition Placements: 1988-7th of 15. Becky new, 1989-3rd Plc, 1990-2nd Plc (7 pts from 1st!), 1991-3rd Plc, 1992-5th Plc.
1983-1987 - JB Jamboree: Bev Kenealey-tenor, Jane Wester-lead, Barb Harvey-baritone, Judy Tschimperle-bass. We did 2 taping sessions, one with Jane and one with Becky. They both contained 40-45 different arrangements - repeating only a few - and those had some changes to the arrangements! Regional Competition Placements: 3/83-4th Place & Novice Quartet Awd, 4/84-4th Place, 3/85-4th Place, 4/86-2nd Place.
1981 - 1983 - Adam's Ribs: Connie Strohschein-tenor, Kathleen Lynch-lead, Karen Marcio-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone. Our theme song was "Adam's Rib", of course. It was sung to the tune of "When You Wore a Tulip". Kathleen and her girlfriends had made up the words to it back in college days!
1978-1979 - Show Stoppers: Barb Harvey-tenor, Jan Martinson-lead, Teddy Goeritz-baritone, Karen Marcio-bass. Sang for one White Bear Lakes Chorus show and that was it.
1977-1978 - Sounds Contagious: Lou Sevelin-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone, Marge Johnson-tenor, Dar Bergeron/Marian Fredlund-lead
1975-1977 - No-Names (not regis.): Lou Sevelin-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone, Marge Johnson-tenor, Dar Bergeron/Marian Fredlund-lead.
1974-1975 - Sound Appeal: Roxie LeTendre-lead, Sherryl Johnson-tenor, Barb Harvey-baritone, Karen Marcio-bass. We were just trying things out - "pickup" different quartet parts for once-in-a-while performances.
1971-1974 - Sounds Contagious: Lou Sevelin-bass, Barb Harvey-baritone, Marge Johnson-tenor, Dar Bergeron/Marian Fredlund-lead
1972-1974 Humbugs: Barb Harvey-Tenor, Sharon Wehner-Lead, Jacquie Nelson-Bari, new bass-Marg Olson. The flowered dress was our one competition outfit. Sang: "Where the Black-Eyed Susans Grow"
1970-1971 - Pied Pipers: Made it to 4th Place a couple times. Barb Harvey-tenor, Sharon Wehner-Lead, Jacquie Nelson-Bari, Kit Roberson-Bass
1967 - Pied Pipers: Barb Harvey-tenor, Sharon Wehner-Lead, Jacquie Nelson-Bari, Mary Bakeberg-Bass. The FIRST QUARTET is always a unique experience. There's nothing to compare. Looking back I see the "stages of quartet growth" very clearly. With your inexperienced "ears", you always think you sound better than the winners in the quartet contest. There's a special bond that develops no matter if you get along or not - there's just something about harmonizing together that links the four of you somehow. And that first parting of the ways can be very painful. I still recall fondly, the first song I ever learned with this quartet - Scarlet Ribbons - and the first trip to Regional Competition as a quartet. We took the train from St Paul to Milwaukee (Region 6 included Wisconsin back then). Since it was springtime, the St Croix river was flooded and the train had to take some detours. What was supposed to be about a 6 hour trip turned into an overnighter! Of course, being young and foolish, we stayed up and sang all night! When it came to contest, Sharon didn't have much voice left! Had to be one of the best times I've ever had. Those were the days when you could sing in your rooms and wander from room to room in your bathrobe to listen to other groups after contest. We basically took over the hotel. I'll never forget it - that's for sure.

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Assistant Director - Shelley Meier
	Voice Part: Bass. Shelley is also the director of the Lakes Area Chorus. Currently sings bass in "3 Nice Girls" quartet.
Info coming

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