Meet Your Regional Education Faculty

  • Dawn Witherspoon

    Dawn brings a wealth of expertise as a certified director and award-winning quartet singer. Currently in the Arranger Certification Program, she uses her music theory background to make complex arrangements more accessible and singable. As the creator of the “Sing Like a Champion” program, Dawn focuses on vocal freedom and inclusive teaching, ensuring every performer finds joy and confidence in their craft.

  • Mary Teed

    Mary has been an enthusiastic member of the Regional Education Faculty since 2001. An expert in vocal production and characterization, she has coached countless choruses and quartets, specializing in unit sound, resonance, and synchronization. Mary’s coaching sessions are known for being high-energy and fun, blending technical skills like riser placement with essential team-building.

  • Lisa Greenough

    Lisa is a Master Director, Approved Visual Communication Judge, and award-winning quartet singer. An energetic coach and choreographer, Lisa’s approach is spirited and holistic, incorporating everything from vocal production to characterization. Known for her rapid pace and infectious humor, her sessions leave singers both breathless and inspired by the complete barbershop art form.

  • Patti Thorpe

    Patti teaches choir, band, and musical theatre at Langley Secondary and is a versatile instrumentalist. Skilled in music theory and sight-reading, she is a passionate coach for choruses and quartets of all levels. Patti is a firm believer that everyone learns at their own pace, ensuring every step forward is celebrated with encouragement.

  • Cheryl Pearce

    is a director, quartet singer, and private voice teacher with a wide range of technical and artistic expertise. She offers coaching in vocal production, music literacy, and performance planning, as well as specialized administrative skills like rehearsal planning and script writing. Cheryl also assists groups with digital tools, including sheet music creation and learning track production.

  • Sandy Marron

    Sandy is one of the organization’s most decorated leaders as a Master 700 Director, International Champion Director, Queen of Harmony (Brava!) and Certified Sound Judge. Trained in classical piano and vocal jazz, she leverages her degrees in Music Education and Psychology to coach ensembles globally. Whether working with Sweet Adelines or the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sandy’s coaching is defined by professional precision and a world-class understanding of the barbershop art form.

  • Jo-Anne Killips

    Jo-Anne is a director, choreographer, and quartet singer who serves on both the music and vocal craft teams. A teacher by profession, she excels at communicating complex concepts and specializes in the intersection of visual performance and musical excellence. Jo-Anne is passionate about performance preparation and enjoys working with individuals, quartets, and choruses to refine their vocal skills.

  • Elvera Collier

    Elvera has been a Sweet Adeline since 1986, bringing vast experience in both quartet and chorus settings. With a strong background in piano and music theory, she has a mastery of the barbershop style—specializing in tuning, resonance, unit sound, and vocal production. Elvera’s passion is storytelling through emotional performance, and she firmly believes that sight-reading is the "greatest sport around."

  • Lisa Hills

    is an award-winning chorus and quartet performer who specializes in the physical mechanics of vocal production. Her coaching covers a wide range of performance skills, from emcee timing and scripting to refining visual plans. Lisa is dedicated to helping musicians find their unique gifts and ensuring their staging enhances their best vocal product.

  • Sheryl Brook

    Sheryl is a director and quartet member who has been an active Sweet Adeline since 1979. A long-standing leader, she served on the Region 26 Music Faculty for 25 years and has coached internationally, including working with four choruses in New Zealand. Sheryl remains dedicated to her own growth through global educational symposiums, bringing fresh enthusiasm and modern techniques to every ensemble she coaches.

  • Pat Fry

    Pat has been a vibrant part of the Region 26 performing community for nearly 30 years. A veteran of the International competition stage, she brings over a decade of experience as a faculty member to her coaching sessions. Pat specializes in high-energy, laughter-filled workshops that focus on vocal production and visual performance skills, making the technical aspects of barbershop both accessible and fun for all levels.

  • Anne Downton

    Anne is a trailblazer in Sweet Adelines, being the youngest person ever to achieve Master Director status. A member of the International Faculty and baritone of the 2017 International Champion Quartet, Frenzy, Anne specializes in balancing "left-brain" technical precision with artistic unity. Her coaching focuses on vocal production, priority setting, and building strategic plans to help ensembles reach their full potential

  • Carolyne Ohlerking

    Carolyne has been a dedicated Sweet Adeline since 1984. A Certified Director and active quartet singer, she has held numerous leadership roles, including Assistant Director, Tenor Section Leader, and Vocal Production Coordinator. In addition to her regional work, Carolyne serves as the front-line Director for the Grove City Chorus (BHS) in Edmonton, bringing a wealth of experience in both vocal coaching and ensemble management.

  • Jennifer Champagne

    With over three decades of leadership on Music and Management teams, Jennifer Champagne is a versatile coach and Certified Director. She offers deep expertise in vocal production, music theory, and performance anxiety management. Jennifer also assists ensembles with the practical side of performance, such as show planning and venue requirements, ensuring that both the musical product and the administrative foundation are rock-solid.

Become an Educator in the Region

To become a member of the Regional Education Faculty (REF), a member of Region 26 must submit an application form, which outlines her background, expertise and willingness to teach and/or coach. Each applicant may apply to become an Approved member of the Regional Education Faculty or an Associate member, based on her previous coaching/teaching experience. If a member has at least two years of coaching or teaching experience, she may choose to apply for Approved REF member status. All applicants applying may choose to be designated as a coaching specialist, a teaching specialist, or both. A coaching specialist focuses on coaching quartets and choruses to improve their vocal skills and performance level overall. A teaching specialist may also focus on vocal skills, but focuses more intently on strategic planning, mediation/dispute resolution, or other administrative related matters.

Patti Thorpe, music educator, coaching Young Singers in Harmony