Special guests are the best!

May10

We had three special guests join us at our rehearsals in April: former Na Leo Lani director Lars Isaacson, who will be bidding adieu to the islands and moving to the continent later this spring, Barbie Dodson, a sister Sweet Adeline and former Honolulu Blend Show Chorus member who often visits Hawaiʻi, and Mark Conching, whose guest-coaching, as always, made our chords really ring.

Both Lars and Mark are longtime Sounds of Aloha members (Mark is the former director). What a wonderful treat it was to have them, and Barbie, too, who came just in time for our special rehearsal evening in honor of National Barbershop Quartet Day on April 11. Thanks for joining us!

Enjoy the photos of their visits below, plus a video of Lars directing us in one of his favorites, “Where Does the Time Go?” (😭)

Where indeed?

Thanks, Mark, for inspiring us as always!

Nicole, Yvonne, Barbie, Lars, Jojo and Kaori ensembling on the fly in honor of National Barbershop Quartet Day

The recently reconstituted Loco Moco looking good and sounding great!

St. Patty’s Day & more!

Mar26

Like four-leaf clovers, barbershop harmony has four parts. In that spirit, Na Leo Lani celebrated St. Patrick’s Day last week with heaps of Irish-inflected harmony and a side helping of greens.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, we welcomed a new member, Kaori, to the baritones! She is a highly appreciated addition to this most complex and tricky of barbershop parts.

New Year, New Faces!

Jan13

We were thrilled to be joined at last week’s rehearsal by Sounds of Aloha bass Iska R., accompanied by lovely vocalist Kaori.

Na Leo Lani always welcomes visitors, potential members, and singers passing through town to come check us out at our weekly rehearsals. See our Calendar of Events and Join Us! pages for info on our rehearsal schedule and how to find us. We have a guest night coming up on January 29 — that’s a great opportunity to see what we’re about — but guests are also welcome any time. Whether you have never sung before outside of your car, are a singer curious about a cappella barbershop harmony, a returning member, or a Sweet Adeline simply passing through town, we look forward to singing with you!

August energy

Aug16

This past week we celebrated our August birthday gals, worked hard on the songs for our next performance, and even made time for a little ukulele strumming. It was great seeing folks back from their summer holidays, as well as a guest, Sam, whose theatre and voice background showed as she leapt into our lead section with aplomb. Welcome, Sam, and welcome back members who have been away!

Rosie , Chris, and Betsy enjoying their impromptu trio

Leads put the moves in melody!

Deb, Wally, and Betsy sport the birthday sash in style!

This week’s theme was “show me the money” 😉

Happy birthdays!

May30

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!

Party time

May19

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!

Many thanks to our stalwart BOD, Nora, Pam, Anna and Deb!

Mahalo nui loa to the Music Team! L to R: Chris, Anna, Carole, Rosie and JoAnne (missing Arlette, Summer and Eimi)

In purrfect harmony

Mar29

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!

Putting the “leo” in Na Leo Lani! Roaarrrrw!

St. Patty’s Day spirit

Mar14

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! 🍀

Whether it’s 9 a.m. or 9 p.m., singing always puts us in a “Top o’the morning” mood

Our newest tenor, Terry, with NLL Director, Chris, and NLL President, Deb.

Coaching lifts our pitch and our spirits

Mar6

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!

An amazing vocal workout was had by all.

Me ke aloha – rehearsing with love!

Feb29

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.

This is aloha!

Director Chris and Kumu Lauren

Na Leo Lani Chorus

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