Our May birthday gals are longtime Na Leo Lani members whose cheerful outlook and gorgeous smiles never quit. Happy birthday, JoAnne and Charley! You are role models for senior singers everywhere!
Happy birthdays!
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Party time
After all the intensity and excitement of our Region 12 competition last month, what fun it was to decompress and enjoy each other’s company over a great meal. In addition to watching the webcast of the Region 12 performances, our spring celebration marked the installation of our 2024-25 Board of Directors and honored our Music Team and Director. Thank you so much, each and every one of you, for all you do in keeping Na Leo Lani running!
And thanks to Rosie for the fabulously fun and lighthearted headwear. Busy mice sound twice as nice when we squeak in harmony!
In purrfect harmony
This week’s rehearsal featured meowsical fun as we celebrated “Respect Your Cat Day” on March 28 — one of many cat-themed annual holidays of which most of us were heretofore unaware. (Did you know there’s also a national “Drink Wine With Your Cat Week” every February?)
“Respect Your Cat Day” is apparently based on an edict by King Richard II of England on March 28, 1384, in which he forbade his subjects from eating cats. No need to convince us to refrain from eating our feline friends! We dressed up as cats instead.
The evening was made extra special by a visit from a former NLL member who now sings with our sister Region 12 chorus High Desert Harmony. It was great singing with you again, Olivia!
St. Patty’s Day spirit
Irish eyes were smiling this week as we sported many shades of green and welcomed a new tenor, Terry, to the chorus. Our tenor section is growing, and we couldn’t be happier! 🍀
Coaching lifts our pitch and our spirits
What a busy mind- and lung-expanding weekend we had, thanks to our excellent coaching workshop with Kathy Scheel. Thank you so much to all our Na Leo Lani members for pitching in (and pitching up!) to make this a great event, and a special mahalo nui loa to Suzanne for hosting the weekend sessions in such elegant surroundings!
Me ke aloha – rehearsing with love!
This week and last, we had the enormous pleasure of two special guest coaches, Kumu Hula Lauren Kanoelani Chang Williams of Hālau Nā Pua Hala, and Sweet Adelines Master Director Kathy Scheel of Oregon Spirit Chorus. Kumu Lauren offered vital guidance on pronunciation and interpretation and inspired us with her beautiful hula. Kathy Scheel filled us with energy and excitement and underscored the importance of exacting attention detail as we prepare for our upcoming contest performance in Reno. Thank you so much for your expertise and insights, Kumu Lauren and Kathy!
See below for a short video clip and photos of these special events.
Director Chris and Kumu Lauren
Valentine’s ❤️
Rehearsal fell on Valentine’s Day this week, so what better reason to sing our favorite love songs, including “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”
We had other reasons to feel the love as well — we have two new members, Nicole (tenor) and Kristine (lead)! Welcome, ladies! Let the fun begin, and let our chords ring!
Backwards and forwards
This week we hailed our January birthday celebrants, Chris and Nora, who wore the birthday sash with aplomb. In keeping with the theme of the week — “National Backwards Day” — they will now officially begin aging in reverse, like Benjamin Button. But we in Na Leo Lani already know that singing with a chorus is the secret to long life and a youthful spirit!
Congratulations, ladies, on another trip ‘round the sun, and may all your days be harmonious!
Blast from the past
Many of our members have been singing with Na Leo Lani for years. Enjoy this 2006 Honolulu Star Bulletin blast from the past featuring former long-running quartet, the Skylarks, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
The Skylarks offer a woman’s touch in a singing Valentines Day greeting. Members are from left, Carol Wee, tenor; Charley Oyama, lead; Joann Kirihara, bass; Debbie Noguchi, baritone. (Star Bulletin features 7 February 2006)
Birthdays, holiday hats, and more
Na Leo Lani members will sing anytime, anywhere, at the drop of a hat — and, more often than not, we do so while donning a hat! This week we were arrayed in a medley of holiday finery with blinking light leis, Santa hats, and cake crowns, while our November birthday girl, Rosie, joined in the fun of a rousing birthday salute.
Come check out our lively weekly rehearsals, where we always find reasons to celebrate, regardless of the season.
Na Leo Lani Chorus 