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.

Our Talented Staff

	Bert Gulhaugen, Artistic director, leader of the Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble, voice teacher and coach. Bert earned a Bachelor of Music from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, and a Master of Music from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is an expert on voice technique and has been a private studio voice instructor since 1984. An experienced performer, he has an extensive choral and jazz ensemble background and has presented numerous recitals of art song, standards, and show tunes. In 1993 he formed The Greenwood Women's Glee Club, which eventually evolved into Seattle Glee Clubs.
	John Gulhaugen, Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club music director. John 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. In September 1999, he became music director for Peace Lutheran Church in West Seattle, a position he continues to hold. John is also employed as a Procurement Agent for Boeing Commercial Aircraft.
	Jerry Halsey, Olio Players stage director, earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a Master of Music from the University of Munich, Germany. He has been a private studio voice instructor since 1981. Having vast operatic and musical theater experience, he has sung with the Portland Opera, Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, and the Centurion Players of Ft. Lewis, Washington, as well as having a 10-year run with the German State Opera. Some of his many roles include Wotan, the Flying Dutchman, Don Pasquale, Scarpia, Iago, Gianni Schicchi, Nicholai's Falstaff, Zorastro, and Méphistophélès, as well as roles from South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon, Wild Cat, 110 in the Shade, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, various Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and more.
	John Hansen, Offbeats Vocal Jazz Ensemble pianist, 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, the list of people with whom John has performed includes the Woody Herman Orchestra, Bud Shank, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Ernestine Anderson, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Bob Moses, Eric Alexander, Jay Thomas, Rick Margitza, Monica Mancini, Kelley Johnson, Jon Fedchock and more.
	Diana Shvets, Seattle Women's Glee Club accompanist since 1994 and The Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club accompanist, earned degrees in piano performance, accompanying and music education from Enesku Conservatory of Music in Kishnev Moldova. After graduating, she worked as a rehearsal accompanist for the local opera company and served on the conservatory's faculty until she moved to Seattle with her family in 1993. Currently she is working as a freelance accompanist, piano teacher, pianist for St. Pious Church, and accompanist for In Good Voice School of Singing.

Seattle Glee Clubs
206-260-7393
seattlegleeclubs@comcast.net