Musical Directors

Interim Director Judy Westers

Judy Westers, Interim Director of the Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus, has been a member of Sweet Adelines International for 33 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 chapter shows with several chapter quartets. She currently sings baritone with 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.  



Assistant Director Penny Hock

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 and eventually, our Director Ann Jarchow made me Assistant Director, alongside Judy Westers. The three of us formed her Director's Resource Team, and 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.”

 

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