San Diego Chorus Members Learn, Perform, and Celebrate at Region 21 Summer Seminar

Dr. Dan Wessler's first performance with the San Diego Chorus was at the 2026 Summer Seminar. The San Diego Chorus has accepted a wild card for this fall's International Contest in Columbus, Ohio.

International Contestants Harborlites, under the direction of Pam Pieson performed at the Saturday night show.

International competitor OC Sound Chorus, under the direction of Bonnie McKibben, performed at the Saturday night show.

More than a dozen members of the San Diego Chorus joined over 110 singers from across the Southwest June 12-14, 2026, for the annual Region 21 Golden West Summer Seminar in Ontario, California. The two-day educational event brought together members of SingUnited International for a weekend dedicated to musical growth, leadership development, and the joy of four-part harmony.

This year's featured clinician was internationally respected director Ryan Heller, whose leadership experience includes directing Pride of Portland and Alamo Metro choruses. Today, Heller serves as Musical Director of Christchurch City Chorus in New Zealand and Chorus Austin.
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​Through a series of engaging, interactive sessions, Heller challenged both musical leaders and chorus members to think beyond the notes on the page. Topics included Chorus Culture, Breath & Beyond, Energy!, Artistic Singing, and Putting the Best YOU in the Unit, encouraging every attendee to strengthen both their individual musicianship and unique contribution to their ensemble. Heller's presentations are available for member download on the Region 21 website.

Guest Clinician Ryan Heller led sessions for musical leaders and members alike, equipping and encouraging them to up their game in both musical and cultural contributions to their chorus.

Beyond the main sessions, members selected from a variety of specialized breakout classes led by respected educators from throughout Region 21. San Diego Chorus was proud to have two of its own leaders among the faculty. Kayla Rodgers presented Music Theory, while Cindy McAdams led Marking Your Music & More. Additional sessions included Cultivating a Chorus Culture of Positivity and Belonging with Becky Clowers and Leslie Yancoski of Scottsdale Chorus, How to Mark Your Music with Kirby Cass of Scottsdale Chorus, and Smart Leadership with Marcia Bosma. Club 21 members also offered personalized PVI (Personal Vocal Instruction) sessions throughout the weekend.

Retail Therapy from the San Diego Chorus was awarded 1st Place in the Double Quartet contest for The Sound of Online Shopping (parody version of The Sound of Silence).

The Golden Girls from OC Sound were awarded the Golden Banana for Musical Parody, for Come Fry With Me, adapted from Sinatra's Come Fly With Me.

DQ 5-6-7-8 representing Inland Empire opened the DQ contest, and had audience members and judges laughing.

The learning continued Saturday evening as education gave way to celebration during the annual Summer Seminar Show. Audiences enjoyed performances by the San Diego Chorus, OC Sound, and Harborlites, along with quartet performances by youth quartet Two by Two, novice quartet Sunset Sound, and current Region 21 Champion quartet Uproar.

​The evening also featured the always-entertaining Double Quartet Contest. The good-spirited competition was judged by Bonnie McKibben, Ryan Heller, and Dr. Dan Wessler. Three ensembles took the stage: 5, 6, 7, 8 from Inland Empire Chorus, Retail Therapy from the San Diego Chorus, and The Golden Girls representing OC Sound.

San Diego Chorus's own Retail Therapy earned First Place honors for their clever and entertaining performance, while The Golden Girls received the coveted Golden Banana Award, recognizing the contest's best musical parody.

Region 21 2026 Quartet Champions, Uproar, performed on the Saturday evening show and participated in coaching under glass with Ryan Heller.

Inland Empire Chorus was the host of the 2026 Region 21 Summer Seminar, and also participated in Coaching Under Glass.

Youth quartet Two by Two performed Saturday Night.

Novice quartet Sunset Sound performed at the evening show.

Hosts Inland Empire kept the weekend running smoothly.

"Summer Seminar is a highlight in our educational calendar," said Dr. Dan Wessler, Musical Director of the San Diego Chorus. "Weekends like this remind us that excellence isn't built in isolation. Learning alongside singers from throughout our region inspires us, challenges us, and strengthens the relationships that make our organization so unique."

As the San Diego Chorus prepares for SingUnited International this fall, weekends like Summer Seminar show our commitment to lifelong musical education, artistic excellence, and a culture where every singer can continue to grow.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Nicole Knox sings with Nick of Time A Cappella Quartet and is a member of the San Diego Chorus, where she was named the 2023 Sweet Adeline of the Year. A fractional Chief Marketing Officer, she supports organizations and singers by sharing her expertise in brand, marketing, and communications.

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ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO CHORUS
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Founded in 1951, the San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International performs award-winning four-part barbershop harmony. A two-time International Chorus Champion, the nonprofit performing arts organization is dedicated to education, entertainment, and competition and welcomes women and non-binary treble singers committed to musical excellence and growth.

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ABOUT SINGUNITED INTERNATIONAL

SingUnited International is a global nonprofit music education organization founded in 1945 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Originally established as Sweet Adelines International, the organization is one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women, SUI includes more than 15,000 members, 1,200 quartets, and 600 choruses across multiple countries worldwide.