Jana Barnes
My name is Jana Barnes and I’m the director of a small public library in central Indiana. Unlike many SNC fans, I’m not a singer myself. I was one of those high school choir students who had far more enthusiasm than talent. I could learn the choreography and sell it, just don’t ask me to sing a solo or harmonize. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I’m so fascinated with Straight No Chaser. I’m mesmerized by people who DO have those talents.
My introduction to SNC came quite by accident when I stumbled across the 12 Days video on Yahoo in 2008. Being a life-long Hoosier (resident of Indiana, not IU affiliated) myself, I was happy to discover the Indiana connection. I bought the Holiday Spirits CD and gifted it to a friend who had been a big fan of another a cappella group when we were in college. I followed the info on their website and learned they would be doing a concert at the Murat in Indy in December of 2009 and I knew I HAD to go. I made my a cappella-loving friend go with me. I turned to her at intermission and declared “This is the best $28 I’ve ever spent!” We both walked out that night with huge smiles on our faces that just wouldn’t go away! I was hooked. Over the next year, I went to six more SNC concerts and obviously plan to go to many, many more in the future.
I honed my Photoshopping skills (such as they are) in another online fandom several years ago. I’ve been a part of several online fandoms over the years, but I have to say Chasers are among the nicest group I’ve ever “met” online. Thanks for inviting me to be a part of this project.
Kim Davis
Hi Chasers!! The Antagonizer here! Also known as klancy96 or sometimes Kim. (I'm not sure how I got tagged as 'The Antagonizer' but I assure you, it is not an accurate nickname! I am an angel and the only non-crazy person on this staff of ten editors, but let's keep that between us ;)
There's no real easy answer, or at least an answer in the space allotted here, to describe how I discovered Straight No Chaser, but I will say through the music of SNC, I began to discover life again and open doors that I thought I'd shut years ago. Now my life is enriched by awesome music, fantastic friends, and immeasurable laughs!
When I'm not working as a Customer Service Manager in MD, I'm hanging out at home in PA with my lovable, laughable 10 yr old Chocolate lab Tonka and can often be found breaking glass! (Don't worry, I'm a stained glass artist; I'm not just wandering the streets randomly breaking windows ;) And, now, I get to spend some of my spare time working with fellow Chasers to bring you the SNC Quarter Notes!! I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Sara Dowling
Hi, Chasers! I'm very excited to be a part of this new project! I'm Sara, an “avid” West Coast Chaser from the middle of nowhere in Nevada. I feel like I became an instant SNC fan on November 29th, 2009 somewhere around 9pm, when I saw their “Live In New York - Holiday Edition” on PBS. I haven't actually made it to a show yet, something I intend to fix this December! I am extremely grateful that SNC allows and encourages photos, videos and reports from their shows, and also for the Chasers who post them! I love it all, and I would have missed SO much fun without that blessing! Thank you!
My favorite SNC song is *mumblefritz* and my favorite member of SNC is *mumblefritz*. Previously, I coordinated #NUBW and #BEEPweek - stay tuned later this summer for tenors week! Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually live on Twitter (@wtrfallprincess), but I may or may not have started and continue to track the #SNCTwitterWars. I am also a Christian, aspiring YA author, chocoholic, small town girl and a cat person. Sometimes I blog at http://www.waterfallprincess.com/.
Shaina Eng
Hi Chasers! I'm Shaina, and live in the sunny, beautiful Los Angeles, California! I became a fan of Straight No Chaser after seeing them live for the first time in December 2008. Before that, I had just been a "casual" listener and viewer; I'd seen their video of "The 12 Days of Christmas" on YouTube late in 2007, along with several million others! Before SNC, I had always loved a cappella music, but I hadn't really known about the more contemporary a cappella out there; my idea of a cappella was mainly barbershop and doo wop (which I still loved, by the way). But after that fateful night in 2008, I became a die-hard Chaser, and I have been ever since!
I'm willing to bet that some of you (okay, a lot of you) think I'm crazy for taking on another creative project, but to be honest, I'm super excited about this magazine! And, I couldn't ask for a better group of people to help me out with it--the Chaser community is filled with some of the best people around! I'm so excited to see this project take shape, and I'm even more excited just thinking about how it'll grow in the future! Thanks in advance to all of you who will be reading and contributing to this little grassroots magazine; it's you who make this magazine what it is and what it can be!
SJ Fosnaught
Hey Chasatopia! My name is Sarah Jane, but you can call me S.J. I’m originally from Virginia Beach, but I currently reside in (none other than The Natural State itself) Arkansas! (GO RAZORBACKS!) I love being creative; I’m always thinking of some random project (whether it be writing, photography, or something to do with music) to work on…and a lot of the time, it’s somehow a cappella related.
I’ve been a fan of vocal music for quite some time, but I never knew about the contemporary a cappella scene until Straight No Chaser. I first found out about them while looking randomly through YouTube videos two years ago. Of course, like 13 million other people, I loved the 12 Days video…but as I looked through some of their other songs, I realized just how awesome their voices and arrangements really were. The more videos I saw of the group, the more I knew I had to see them live! I’ve been a bonafide Chaser ever since.
I’m VERY excited to get this magazine off the ground, and couldn’t be working with a more dedicated group of talent! It’s been an amazing experience watching it come together, and from the 10 of us, I’ll say in advance: Thank you for everything you all do as fans to support the guys, as well as fan projects like this. We hope we can just give a little back to what’s become such a great fan-munity. I hope you all enjoy, and can’t wait to hear what you all think about it! CHEERS!
Tara Kellerman
Hey there Chaserville!!! :) My name is Tara Kellerman and 'I'm from Indiana'!!! (<--just kidding, just can't help but think of Charlie's intro after typing 'I'm from'.) Anyway, I'm from good 'ol New Jersey! Home to musical greats like Jon, Bruce, Frank (and summer home to the guys of Straight No Chaser!). I was 'shipped' here from South Korea when I was just 4 months old and have been happy to call NJ my home since then. I can't tell you squat about being Korean, since my family is Italian! :) This year marks my eleventh year teaching 5th grade. Most days I feel like I LIVE at school as I take on too many projects, volunteer for too many committees, and keep in touch with many, many of my former students which often involves going to basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer games, as well as recitals, concerts, awards ceremonies, etc. However, when I'm not doing school-related things you can find me scrapbooking, traveling (if and when I can afford it), laughing my face off with Marna Lampe, oh, and seeing Straight No Chaser!
I was introduced to SNC via XM radio while driving. 'The 12 Days of Christmas' came on and it got my attention from the start! I was laughing out loud alone in my car and knew I was hooked and needed more. I saw the name of the band, 'Straight No Chaser' and texted it (yes, I know, v. bad habit) to myself so I could look them up as soon as I got home. When I arrived home, lo and behold, this 'Straight No Chaser' group WAS ON TV!!! I immediately began to text and call my friends and got them hooked, too!!!
My first live show in Collingswood, NJ was the beginning of this crazy journey into Chaserville!!! For any of you who were in attendance there, let's just say, the guys are masters of going with the flow and giving their audience the best possible performance, regardless of 'technical difficulties'. They are true professionals. I was BESIDE myself when they announced they would be doing a residency in Atlantic City!!! What luck!!! The Meet and Greet sealed the deal to my newfound move into SNCland! The rest is history!
I am SO thankful for the many wonderful friends that SNC has brought into my life! Thank you for reading our 'Quarter Notes'! I hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed working on it! :)
Annie LaDuca
Hello Chasers! I’m Annie LaDuca and I live in Fairfax, Virginia (Note: I’m a native-NYer and will always default to a NY-state of mind). I work as an environmental consultant, supporting water quality protection efforts. I play as a big kid (on sports fields, courts, and playgrounds), love my family incredibly, and am constantly amazed at the effect music can have on someone. I first heard SNC during the holiday season in 2009; I was in Borders Bookstore looking for new holiday music, and loving a cappella, saw their “Christmas Cheers” CD and behind it “Holiday Spirits.” Never having heard any of their music, I knew I’d love those two CDs-and I did! My first concert was in Washington, DC in April, 2010 and I’ve been an active fan ever since.
I’ve made many incredible friends through my love for SNC; I’m thankful to remain close friends with a great group of people and always look forward to meeting more Chasers and meeting fans new to the Chaser Community. I hope you enjoy reading the Quarter Notes!
Marna Lampe
Hello, fellow Chasers. My name is Marna. I am now living back in my hometown, Pitman, in southern New Jersey. My husband, Brian, and I bought an old fixer-upper here a few years ago and we’ve enjoyed working on the house. We live here with our four spoiled house rabbits that have their own room. Pitman is very much small town America with a cute little downtown area. People here know their neighbors, and we love our small town traditions like the upcoming Fourth of July Parade. By time our first issue is released in late June, folks will probably have their chairs already lined up along Broadway, staking their claim for all of the parade-watching glory! Yes, people put chairs out along the side of the road days in advance. I’m not kidding… ask Tara.
Speaking of Tara, we’ve been friends for years. We met through work, and the silliness began. We went to our first SNC concert together in Collingswood last spring and promptly bought tickets to see the Atlantic City show in July. We enjoyed the AC show so much that we bought another set of tickets, and then another, and well… Let’s just say living in South Jersey has its advantages, and we can hop in the car and drive “down the shore” to get our SNC fix! Oh, I mean… to do more research for this magazine. Yes, that’s it—research.
I’m hoping to catch up with many of you Chasers (research assistants) at a show this summer. It has been fantastic getting to know so many great people through our Chaser network. You all rule!
Carla Rodriguez
Hello Chaserazzi! Well, along with all the fine Bio’s you have read, scanned, skipped, or ignored above, I also would like to welcome you to our little missive we are putting together. To get through the requisite info to be considered an introduction, here’s a little about me. I am originally from California but have lived in many places. Currently I am settled into Dearborn, MI. (Hi Seggie!) I first heard of SNC by seeing the 12 Days video on YouTube and after a friend bought/found the Live at the Mac DVD, I also got one and infected everyone I know with it. I was surprised and totally thrilled to hear they were getting back together and have continued to be so successful. Meeting them has been more than I could hope for and I continue to be a loyal Chaser fan.
I like to travel and have seen SNC on both coasts and a number of shows in between, I have been on Twitter and FB and have the …….. ummm……. Luck? To be christened #blameCarla. Enjoy your stay in our little Magazine and hope you contribute and enjoy it. #blameCarla
Sarah Twilley
Hey there, Chaserdom! *waving* I'm Sarah, a sunny girl born and bred in sunny Southern California. I'm currently pursuing my dream of having a career related to music by studying vocal performance at Long Beach City College and will be ready to transfer within the year! When I'm not working on school, I fill my time with singing at church, working with the jr. high group at church, and hanging out with friends. I love having fun times at Disneyland with fun people! I also love blogging, writing stories, and being crafty.
My love of a capella started back when I was kid. My mom sang in a vocal jazz sextet, so I was surrounded by tight jazz harmonies for most of my young life. Fast forward to Summer 2006, when a friend of mine sent me a link to this YouTube video of 10 guys doing this hilarious "12 Days Of Christmas". I was a fan instantly! Between that summer and fall 2009, I got sidetracked by some other very worthy musicians, but managed to land on the SNC website that fall. I attended my first show in Anaheim in the spring of 2010 and found myself diving into the a capella community not long after. And not only have I found myself a devoted fan of each one of these fabulously talented men, I have also found a host of new friends whom I love! I am super excited about this fun little venture and I’m honored to be a part of it!
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