ABOUT SEATTLE GLEE CLUBS
SGC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an enjoyable, supportive, challenging and educational choral, theatrical and solo performance experience for adult singers of varying levels of ability.
Our primary purpose is the exploration, advancement and performance of choral, theatrical, and solo vocal music. In addition, we want to extend to the community a deeper appreciation for music in general.
What is a Glee Club?
To understand what a glee club is, it helps to understand what glee is. Various dictionaries define glee primarily as merriment or joy; and secondarily, as a composition for three or more voices.
Glees were very popular in late 18th century England and glee clubs developed for the express purpose of singing them. These clubs were formed by amateur singers from many professions to provide an outlet for musical expression. As they grew in popularity, their repertoires developed more complexity.
In America, glee clubs were initially formed by university students at Harvard, Yale and other eastern universities and gradually became ensconced in the school system. As in Europe, they are made up of members with a wide range of interests who enjoy singing but don't have professional aspirations.
In keeping with the historical tradition of glee clubs, Seattle Glee Clubs is intended for adult amateur singers from all walks of life.
John Gulhaugen, Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club music director, began his music studies at Luther College in 1982. In 1984, he transferred to PLU, where he sang with the Choir of the West under the direction of Richard Sparks, and played cello in the University Symphony Orchestra. He graduated in 1987 with a BA in Music. From 1989 to 2005, John sang in the Seattle Opera Chorus, various church choirs, and at Temple Beth El in Tacoma. From September 1999 to June 2011, he served as music director for Peace Lutheran Church in West Seattle. John is also employed as a Procurement Agent for Boeing Commercial Aircraft.
Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble interim director, Kelley Johnson, is an award-winning jazz vocalist who is known and respected as a performer, arranger, poet and lyricist. Kelley brings a wonderful sense of style to the program. She applies her thorough knowledge of jazz to shape the ensemble's sound and arrangements. She also has extensive experience as a vocal jazz teacher and performance coach and has served as conductor and assistant conductor for several Seattle-area jazz choirs.
John Hansen, Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble pianist and vocal jazz workshop coach, is one of the finest and most sought-after jazz pianists in the Pacific Northwest. With a natural lyricism and fluent, flexible approach, he is called on to perform and record in a variety of styles and is a featured artist in many of the region's finest ensembles. Besides leading his own trio, John has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Ernestine Anderson, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Bob Moses, Eric Alexander, Jay Thomas, Rick Margitza, Monica Mancini, Kelley Johnson, Jon Fedchock and more.
Diana Shvets, Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club accompanist, earned degrees in piano performance, accompanying and music education from Enesku Conservatory of Music in Kishinev, Moldova. After graduating, she worked as a rehearsal accompanist for the Conservatory's opera company, and served on the their faculty until she moved to Seattle with her family in 1993. Currently, she is working as a freelance accompanist, piano teacher, pianist for St. Pius X Church in Mountlake Terrace, and accompanist for In Good Voice School of Singing.