HOLLI HOUTZ – DIRECTOR
Holli Houtz was named Director of the Grand Rapids Chorus of Sweet Adelines on September 9, 2024. She received her undergraduate degree in music education from Western Michigan University (WMU). She is an experienced music educator, director, and gifted performer.
While at WMU, she studied classical voice and was a member and section leader of Gold Company, which won the Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation award for Top College Vocal Ensembles.
"Holli has also won top regional and international barbershop awards, while singing with two quartets. She is an International Rising Star Champion (Sweet Adelines International ages 25 and under) with Cosmic quartet. She is also a three-time SAI Regional Champion with Girl Talk quartet, which includes her mother. Girl Talk is also the 2023 Pioneer District Champion in the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and has represented both their Region and District at international competitions in each organization."
Holli is no stranger to chorus singing, having had the privilege of singing and competing with the international top 10 chorus, Motor City Blend (MCB). While singing with MCB, she served as a baritone section leader and occasionally assisted in leading rehearsals.
“I first sang on stage with my family quartet when I was five years old,” she explained. “For family vacations we went to barbershop events. My love and passion for barbershop, singing with family members, and community has always been very special for me.”
As for her mission, “I love working with motivated individuals who want to make beautiful and artistic music. There is nothing better than the joy and community created by singing together. Singing is my passion and supporting and encouraging others on their musical journey is my mission.”
Holli co-directs an award-winning, gender inclusive chorus in the Pioneer District of BHS named MI-X based in southeast Michigan. She also has her own business producing music learning tracks, arranging, coaching, and giving private voice lessons."
JUDY WESTERS – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Judy Westers has been the Interim Director of the Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus from June 2023 – September 2024, while the Chorus conducted a nationwide search for a permanent Director. She has been a member of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) for more than 30 years and member of Grand Rapids for all but one of those years. She has been part of the Director’s Resource Team for over two decades. Judy considers it an honor and a privilege to help each singer prepare for competitions and performances.
Judy’s Sweet Adeline career is highlighted by performing with the chorus in regional and international competitions. She has competed with the chorus on the international stage in San Antonio, Nashville, Seattle, Baltimore, and New Orleans.
In addition to singing with and directing the chorus, Judy has competed regionally and performed in many chorus shows, with several Grand Rapids chapter quartets. She currently sings baritone with the chapter quartet – Chime In.
Sweet Adelines allows “regular” people opportunities to grow in musical performance, production, music arranging and leadership. The strong music education program of Sweet Adelines International has provided opportunities for Judy to deepen her knowledge in music theory and even dabble in music arranging. She has enjoyed bringing songs from paper to the stage using the four-part acapella style of barbershop music.
PENNY HOCK – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Penny Hock, Assistant Director, has been an arranger, accompanist, choreographer, section leader, director, teacher, accomplished musician, and a gifted performer.
She has had 50 years of vocal performance, 15 years of classical piano instruction, as well as woodwind, percussion instruction, and serving as a vocal instructor. Penny has been a member of Melodeers Chorus, Choral-Aires Chorus, Spring Valley Chorus and served as an SAl approved music arranger under the mentorship of David Wright.
Penny became a Sweet Adeline when she was 14 years old. She left the organization for a stretch after high school and landed in Grand Rapids in 1994. "I was in and out of chorus with work, school, and life. Eventually, Grand Rapids Chorus Director, Ann Jarchow, made me Assistant Director, alongside Judy Westers. The three of us formed her Director's Resource Team. Judy Westers and I became musical soul mates, and the creating started, and a whole new world of Sweet Adeline's opened-up, and the possibilities seemed endless. 30 years later, they still do.”
