2025 FESTIVAL GUEST CLINICIANS (MORE TO COME)
Jay Althof - Clinician
Jay has been singing barbershop harmony his whole life and has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for 39 years. He is currently the Artistic Director for the Croix Chordsmen from Stillwater, MN and loves sharing his experience and talents with such a fun group of men.
Many of you will recognize Jay as the tenor of Vocality, a Land O’ Lake District champion and Hall of Fame quartet. Jay recently completed three years as President of the Land O’ Lakes District and received the Barbershopper Of The Year Award for 2023. When he isn’t engaged in a barbershop activity he enjoys boating, fishing and spending time with his family, especially his little granddaughter! And, as time permits, Jay does some consulting as the President of Lake Avenue Group.
Brandon Galbraith - Clinician
Brandon graduated from U of Mn Twin Cities with a degree in music education. In addition to the Valley de Croix Sweet Adelines he also directs two choruses in the Barbershop Harmony Society; the North Star Chorus, from Saint Paul, MN and International Medalist Chorus, the Great Northern Union.
He sings lead/baritone with his quartet Mixed Meter. Brandon has previously directed the annual NW Wisconsin Youth in Harmony Festival which attracts over 100 youths interested in singing. In addition to his barbershop singing, Brandon sings at Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul as a tenor section leader and works producing learning tracks for area groups. He has also sang with these local groups: The Journeymen chorus, Hymnos, MPLS – Impulse, Minnesota Chorale and Singers In A Chord.
Upbeat - Teaching Quartet
Upbeat is an award winning a capella quartet from the Twin Cities. Their members are Karla Kalway (tenor), Val Salley (lead), Bonnie Plumley (baritone), and JoAnn Flanagan (bass).
They are all members of the City of Lakes Chorus of Sweet Adelines International and are the 2022 Northern Lights Region 6 Bonze medalists. Mostly, they are four great friends who love the opportunity to sing together and share their harmonies with you!
Vocality - Teaching Quartet
VOCALITY is an exciting and entertaining a cappella quartet with a wide ranging repertoire from 60’s and 70’s classic rock tunes to Gospel to Broadway to Barbershop. Audiences love their engaging, authentic, and fun-filled performances. VOCALITY formed in January 2007 and was immediately recognized for their flawless harmonies and artistic delivery. They have been recognized at the top of the a cappella art form in both barbershop and contemporary a cappella competitions and festivals. In October 2016 VOCALITY was inducted into the Land O' Lakes Barbershop Harmony District Hall of Fame. VOCALITY’S self-titled debut recording was honored with two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards nominations by the Contemporary A Cappella Society. They have four additional recordings: Alleluia featuring gospel and inspirational music, Midnight Clear, a very popular Christmas and Holiday CD, Carry On, featuring songs largely from the 60's and 70's. (A video tribute to our veterans is based on the title track from this CD.) and their newest album, Never Enough, with more popular songs, including the humorous "The Biggest Ball Of Twin In Minnesota"
