About The Valleyaires

VALLEYAIRES MARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW DIRECTOR, LAURA PALLAS

 Laura Pallas's specialty is vocal production and technique. She coaches quartets and choruses from around the country and sang lead in an internationally-competitive quartet, Naturally.

Laura graduated in 1984 with a Bachelors of Music in vocal performance from the University of the Pacific - Stockton, California, then went on to graduate University of California - Irvine in 1987 with a Masters of Fine Arts in Music.

Although she wanted to be an opera singer and had roles in various local opera productions, in 1986 Laura was asked to direct the Santa Monica Chapter of Sweet Adelines. "Not knowing what I didn't know, I said okay!"  In 2009 she became a "Master Director"  and was later appointed to the Sweet Adelines International Teaching Staff.

Over the past 16 years Laura has acquired a lot of barbershop experience: Director of the Santa Monica Chapter, Lead in Westside Story/Naturally Quartet (Regional Champions), member of the Regional Music Faculty, instructor at Regional seminars, a coach to numerous quartets and choruses and a private vocal instructor since 1984. 

Laura has sung with many performing groups such as USC Opera Workshop, L.A. Chamber Singers, Valley Master Choral, and Steven S. Wise "High Holiday" Chorus. But now that she has found barbershop she says, "There is nothing like it!  I am so happy to be a part of such a wonderful organization as The Valleyaires."

ABOUT US

     Formed in 1959 as the Reseda Chapter, the San Fernando Valley Chapter is today at the half-century mark for continuous operation in the Valley.  In 2009 we celebrate our 50th anniversary.  The name was changed in 1977, when membership expanded to all communities in the Valley. There are currently over 30 members, with most actively participating all year.

     The members range in age from the 30's to the 80's. Most live in the San Fernando Valley, but the excellence of the Valleyaires Barbershop Chorus has drawn men from a number of nearby communities such as Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and Conejo Valley and others throughout northern and western Los Angeles County.

     The men work in almost every type of occupation, from professional to tradesman, but all come together with a love of barbershop-style 4-part harmony and a strong sense of cameraderie that creates a warm bonding relationship with one another.

     The Valleyaires Barbershop Chorus is a 13-time Champion of the Southern California West Division of the Barbershop Harmony Society, claiming this title in 1971,77,78,79,80,81,86,87,91,92,93,2001 and 2006. It ranks as one of the top competitive choruses in the strong Far Western District, and is considered to be one of the top 40-50 barbershop choruses internationally.

      In 1986, the Valleyaires became the first Los Angeles area chorus to win the Far Western District title, and earned the right to represent the district in International Competition in Hartford, CT, where they were judged ninth best in the world.