We are honored to be among some of the most talented singers here in
Region 11 of the Sweet Adelines International organization.
We would like to thank our coaches over the last 3 years:
Jim Arns, Jeff & Patty Baker, Marge Bailey, Jim Campbell, Jennifer Edwards, Mark Hale, Erin Howden, Lori Lyford, Laura Pallas, and Gerry & Nick Papageorge.
Thank you for believing in us. You made all the difference.
ABOUT US
MELISSA HOCKENBERGER (tenor)
Melissa is the youngest member of our quartet. She's been singing her whole life and was a member of the Biola University Women's Choir. Melissa has been a member of SAI since 2002 and sang tenor with the award winning "Serious Treble" quartet. A professional photographer, Melissa specializes in child portraiture, and her work has been published in Orange County Parenting Magazine. Speaking of parenting, she is the mom of Debra's 9-year-old granddaughter, Scarlett, and 5-year-old grandson, Jude. We love Melissa's youthful spirit and fun-loving energy. One of our favorite coaches once told Melissa that her voice on a bad day is better than most tenors on their best day! Now how's that for a compliment to live up to!
SHELLY WILNER (lead)
Singer/songwriter, pianist, guitarist, percussionist, recording artist, professional music therapist and teacher, Shelly has 3 music degrees, including an M.A. in music therapy from New York University and a B.A. in Music Education from U.C.L.A. She has worked as a board-certified music therapist with adults and children with various disabilities, using music to improve their quality of life. She is a licensed Simply Music piano teacher, and currently runs a successful piano studio. She also holds an M.A. in Early Childhood Educational Pyschology, and has trained and taught in the highly acclaimed progressive school, The Maggy Haves School, since 1989. Mom of two girls, Brooke (age 7), and Brett (age 4), Shelly is the former lead of "Serious Treble," Shelly has been a member of SAI since 2002.
DEBRA HOCKENBERGER (baritone)
Debra has been singing and competing in quartets since 1992, ranking 3rd, 4th, and 5th place in SA regional competitions in "Reveille," "You Go Girlz!" and "Serious Treble." Debra is also a member of
Santa Monica Chorus. Debra has one son, Josh, who happens to be married to Melissa. Debra is arguably the world's sexiest grandma! She is a talented designer and seamstress with great artistic vision, often creating the costumes worn by her quartets and choruses. In addition, she also is the bookkeeper for her husband, Hank's architectural firm in Long Beach, CA. We love singing with Debra because she always adds a lot of sass and flair to our look and sound!
LISA KNEEBONE (bass)
Lisa Pallas Kneebone is an active member of the Santa Monica Chorus and is their head choreographer. Lisa began her musical career singing in pop, blues and rock bands for 10 years before discovering barbershop with her sister, Laura, in 1993. Over the years they sang in several quartets, including "Westside Story" with their mom, Pat, singing bass (yes, Lisa used to be a baritone). Lisa and Laura sang for many years with director Anne Casey from Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus, and Tove Hoch of Cachet Quartet in the regional champion quartet, "Naturally." With her B.S. in Mathematics, Lisa pursued a career in financial computer software and she is now the Director of Professional Services for Checkfree, a financial software and services provider. Her free time is spent with her husband, Phil, and son, Blake, and with hobbies: dancing, cooking, gardening, real estate and interior design.
