We had a great time going holo holo this week to sing for the residents of Pohai Nani in Kaneohe. The theme of our show was the sights and sounds of the Windward side, explored through songs like ‘Ūlili E and Hawaiian Lullaby. Enjoy pics and a video clip from our performance below.
Na Leo Lani had a special treat this weekend courtesy of Sweet Adelines International: a free video coaching session with Master Director Lea Baker of Endeavor Harmony (Sydney, Australia).
Setting up a two-way call with sufficient audio and video across a 20-hour time difference was beyond our chorus’s skill set, even with post-pandemic fluency in platforms like Zoom and Google Meets. Enter Jeff LeFebvre of Sounds of Aloha chorus, who generously volunteered his video-connectivity know-how and supplied his equipment, to boot. Jeff stayed with us the whole afternoon to fix any glitches that arose. We could not have done it without him. Thank you!!! 🙏🏽 🙏🏽🙏🏽
A huge mahalo as well to NLL member Suzanne, who provided the perfect space for our coaching session with a huge screen, steady wifi, tiered seating, and even fresh-popped popcorn for a post-coaching snack!
Thanks most of all to our director, Chris, for tenaciously following through on this coaching opportunity, to SAI’s Education Department for underwriting it, and to Lea Baker for her amazing ear and helpful insights. Lea put us all through our paces, even the baris and tenors, who usually fly under the radar as long as we warble our “doo doo dooooos” at the right time. 😉 We learned a ton in two hours and had fun doing it.
Na Leo Lani was pleased to perform for the June 2 ceremony at 15 Craigside honoring Hawaii’s top volunteers of 2023. Guests included Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. Thank you to Adam LeFebvre for the lovely photos and video excerpt [click here to hear us!] from the event.
We had a ball today performing at the City & County of Honolulu Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual volunteer recognition celebration at the Waikiki Community Center.
In addition to honoring O’ahu’s 2023 volunteers of the year, we also recognized one of our own, Rosie Ramiro, who volunteers for the Lanakila Senior Center and many other places.
Whether serving on chorus committees, helping with rehearsal logistics, carpooling, or just sharing snacks, all of our NLL members are vital volunteers in our own right. Harmony is by definition a collective venture!
See video and pics below.
Summer days are here again! Keep cool with six weeks of singing with Na Leo Lani.
Do you love singing but aren’t sure whether you have the time to commit to joining a chorus? Or maybe you are already in a chorus and want to dip a toe into the cool waters of barbershop harmony? Well, come give our easy breezy six-week Summer Program a try! We will be learning two barbershop takes on contemporary tunes over six weekly rehearsals, May 31 – July 5, culminating in a performance (and open mic opportunity!) for friends and family on Saturday, July 8.
Come join us!
When? Weekly on Wednesday evenings 6-8 p.m., May 31 – July 5
Where? We rehearse in the Mo’ili’ili Hongwanji Social Hall Annex, 902 University Avenue, Honolulu
For driving and parking directions, see: https://naleolani.org/join-us/
How much? $25 (includes sheet music, learning tracks, and vocal instruction with the chorus). If you decide you would like to audition and join Na Leo Lani at the end of the program, your Summer Program fee will go toward your first month of NLL chorus dues.
How to sign up? Email naleolanichorus@gmail.com and let us know you are interested!
Ar tonight’s rehearsal we marked National Denim Day with a rhapsody in blue — blue jeans, that is. Following some high-spirited singing, we held our annual Board of Directors installation ceremony to welcome new and ongoing members onto the BOD.
Thank you, Music Team and installation volunteers, for making tonight fun!
And a very happy birthday to Karlyn, who did the birthday sash proud with her beaming smile.
We had a wonderfully intense coaching weekend with Angela Suraci, Sweet Adelines International Master Director and longtime Director of the award-winning Mission Valley Chorus. In addition to an evening session on Friday night and a full day of coaching on Saturday, Angela guided our leads and basses through sectional instruction and had energy leftover on Sunday to coach the Pure Nerves quartet. Throughout it all, she maintained her signature good humor, keen ear, and amazingly perceptive insights. Angela put us all through our paces, and for that, we say thank you so much!
Enjoy this short clip on Instagram of Na Leo Lani singing one of our favorites — “That’s What Friends Are For” — what better way to express how we feel about our chorus connections?
After much hard work and immense amounts of help from family and friends, we put on our first holiday concert in three years! Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the show!
Very special thanks to
Reverend Won-Seok Yuh and Harris United Methodist Church
for so generously allowing us use of their beautiful facility.
Jeff LeFebvre and his team for their much appreciated technical expertise and audio equipment support
Our very generous monetary donors for contributing to this hobby we love so much.
Your contributions go toward rehearsal space rental, director fees, new music, music education, and preparations for our 2024 regional contest.
Our friends and family, who help set up, staff tables, bake delicious things, and pitch in to accomplish the essential tasks that enable us to put on a show!
Whether you support us with your time, your spirit, or your funds, know that our gratitude knows no bounds.
Na Leo Lani had a great time rolling out our holiday show for the public at Kahala Mall on December 8. We were joined on three songs by our Sing With Us for the Holidays guest. Afterwards, a large contingent headed over to The Counter for burgers and fries for our chorus fundraiser. Thank you, ladies, for all you do for Na Leo Lani, and thank you to our supportive audience at the mall.
Mele Kalikimaka from the land where palm trees sway!
Na Leo Lani Chorus 