Master Director Beverly Hamilton
When
you meet Bev, you are struck by her friendliness, and before you know it,
are captivated by her sense of humor and optimistic nature. She says these
qualities are reflected back to her in the faces of the many Sweet Adelines
she has met since joining the organization in 1967. A singer since she was a
toddler in the suburbs of Chicago, she discovered barbershop in Harrisburg,
PA, "and was hooked the very first night."
Since those early years, she has brought her enthusiasm and leadership to choruses in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1972 she came to Iowa, and has been an Associate Director for both the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Choruses. In 1991, the Des Moines Chorus provided her with an opportunity to try her hand as Director, which she says was invaluable training for becoming the director of the Metro Mix Chorus. Bev has been musically trained by the best teachers that our International Organization and SPEBSQSA have to offer. In her "other life", Bev is a registered nurse, and ministers to the needs of her patients in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and SURGICARE areas of St Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Besides coaching several choruses and quartets around the region, Bev was the bass of STARSHINE, International semifinalists and finalists since 1979, and 1993 Region 20 champions (now retired), and sang bass with BLAZE!, 1998 Region 20 Quartet champions. Most recently, Bev has qualified as a Master Director within the Sweet Adeline organization. This was achieved at the 2002 Regional competition when the chorus scored 601 points.