Chapter Leaders

Last Updated on Thursday, 07 February 2013 01:27 Written by Warren Garfield Monday, 04 January 2010 06:09

MASTER DIRECTOR LAURA PALLAS

Laura Pallas's specialty is vocal production and technique. She coaches quartets and choruses from around the country.  In addition to leading the Valleyaires Barbershop Chorus, Laura sings in a quartet, Invitation, and leads the Santa Monica Chorus, which won First Place in Region 11 Mid-Size Division 2011 and 2nd Place Overall Competition 2010.

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."