Mystique

Previous quartet experience was singing tenor in the International Top Ten Quartet, “Sound Effects” from 1995 to 1999. My singing experience prior to Barbershop was limited to singing along with the radio. I’ve always loved to sing (doesn’t everyone?) but have never had any formal training. All I’ve learned I’ve taken from my barbershop leaders and coaches, Ron Mason and Sue Trenchard, who are also NFCA’s Co-Directors.

When I am not singing, I work as Payroll Clerk for the Village of Kenmore, NY where I’ve been for the past 30 years. I am an avid fan of Broadway Shows here in Buffalo and in Toronto. I’ve have been a season ticket subscriber to S hea’s Performing Arts Center for the past 13 years. Musicals are my favorite, of course. I belong to a monthly Poker Club with a group of my friends and we a lso love to travel together. I love watching my local professional hockey and football teams - Go Sabres – Go Bills!! I also make time to play golf.

I am blessed with a loving, close-knit family and a large contingent of friends, all of whom support my love of this great hobby called Barbershop.

I am Karin Kirkham, and I sing bass with Mystique and "Images". I have been a member of Harmony Inc. for over 25 years and I have competed in nearly all of those years.

I have been married to David for 30 years and we have lived in the same log home for 23 years and raised our two daughters (Mackenzie and Meredith) here in quiet Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada. We now have a little granddaughter (Natalie)who comes to visit and completes our family.

I am a registered nurse and having been working in Long Term Care for 15 years. I love the vintage citizens and try my best to give them the best care that they deserve. My family has always been supportive of my passion for harmony. I was raised in a musical family and barbershop singing seemed to be the best outlet for me to continue singing in a family orientated environment.

I hope that by singing well, I can continue to bring happiness to others and be an ambassador for Harmony, Inc.

Hi, My name is Lynda and I sing Tenor. Music & harmonizing have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. There were piano lessons from age 6, church music, and school choruses and musicals. My husband, Ron, and I discovered barbershop harmony in 1971 when we moved to the Buffalo Area. I sang with Sweet Adelines for about 10 years, he joined SPEBSQSA where he is still a member.

In 1987, Carol McDonnell, Sue Trenchard and I founded the NFCA Chorus with Harmony, Inc. That chorus continues to please audiences and finish in the top 10 at the International Convention & Contest held annually. NFCA is having a 20th Anniversary Celebration in June, 2008.

"Images" was formed about that time with me singing tenor. In 1991, our original baritone left, and fortunately my daughter, Carol Zeffiro was available to fill the spot. We achieved our goal to become International Quartet Champions in 1997. “Images” is celebrating our 10th anniversary as Harmony Queens in 2007.

Children, Randy, Carol & David, went to sleep many nights with barbershop sevenths ringing in their heads. Music plays a big part in their lives, too. Besides their careers, Randy is a keyboard musician and vocalist, Carol a vocalist and champion baritone, and Dave has sung in several quartets with his Dad and plays guitar in his own one-man-band. Occasionally a group called Family Tradition made an appearance. It was a family quartet which included Mom, Dad, Carol & Dave. Now, a family group would include 5 grandchildren who have each inherited a degree of playing, singing and dancing.

I’ve been in the real estate business since 1973, as an agent, manager, broker/owner and currently an associate broker. I am continuing my music education by working toward Music Arranger Certification through the Harmony, Inc. organization at HITS (Harmony Intensive Training School). Ron and I live in Brant, NY with black lab, Baron.

“I am so thankful for the music that is a large part of my life. It is truly therapy in a stressful world and brings peace to the troubled mind.”

Hi, My name is Carol and I sing lead.I fell in love with barbershop music when I attended my first SPEBSQSA Convention with my family in the late 70s. My Dad, Ron Mason, was competing with the Empire Express. I was instantly hooked on the music, the fun and the competition. Mom was singing with the local Sweet Adeline chapter at that time and I attended a few rehearsals with her, but my high school schedule with cheerleading, voice lessons, musicals, and church choir didn’t allow much time for that.

Years later, after college and marriage, 1987, to be exact, Mom, with Sue Trenchard and Carol McD founded Niagara Frontier Chord Authority (NFCA) with Harmony, Inc. It was directed by my Dad and Sue. No pressure there!! I was almost a Charter Member and have been Baritone Section Leader ever since. Not to mention various board positions and committee chairs.

In 1990 I joined FOREMOST Quartet and competed for 3 contests until they broke up. Then Mom’s quartet, “Images” lost their baritone, and they asked me if I would fill in to help them keep their commitments. The rest is history. After a 6th place finish at our first international, we climbed steadily through all the medals and reached the Gold in 1997 to become Harmony Queens. We stand proudly today celebrating our 10th Anniversary and singing at every opportunity.

I consider barbershop harmony as my therapy to get through the wrenches that are thrown into everyday life. I am proud and honored to represent Harmony Inc. as the members of this organization have been so much a part of my “therapy”. The friendships will last a lifetime.

I’m a first grade teacher in Brant, NY where I’ve been since I married “Saint” Frank. We’ve remodeled a century old farmhouse and filled it with 2 incredibly talented sons, Mike & Eric, one dog, cats, rabbits, 2 horses and more……..see why he’s “Saint” Frank? Mike is entering college in 2008 studying jazz on piano and sax. Eric is a freshman who is planning a career in engineering at the same time playing amazing percussion.