HC Class Descriptions & Instructors

Harmony College Instructors & Class Descriptions

Christian Hunter

Christian Hunter of Flemington, New Jersey, is a very active member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, often infusing his wit and light comedy into his performances and presentations far and wide. He has been a member of the BHS with the Hunterdon County, NJ chapter since 2007, serving in numerous roles, including President, Membership VP, and show chairman. He was the catalyst in expanding the chapter to now include three distinct choruses and nearly one hundred members.

Christian was also a member of the leadership team of the Somerset Hills Chapter, helping lead them through a renaissance as a mixed voice chapter with current roles of Secretary and Marketing VP. He was also the baritone of the Mid-Atlantic 2010 Novice Quartet champion, “Plead the 5th“ and the quartets “Homebrewed" and “ADHD – A Definite Harmony Disorder”. Christian is a proud member of the Mid-Atlantic honor chapter, DELASUSQUEHUDMAC (2019), and the district’s Hall of Honor (2023).

Courses

Grants – Where to Find ‘em, How to Get ‘em - The grant writing process may seem daunting and even a risky use of volunteer resources. We will demystify the process and highlight not only a tried and true approach but also non-traditional grant opportunities that may be within your chorus’ reach.

Membership Marketing – Putting Your Value Proposition on Display - Barbershoppers typically aren’t born, typically they aren’t made, they are found! How do you take advantage of the moment a potential new chorus member sees your marketing message? We will walk through a simple process to put what seems to be impossible to say to not just words but into an effective marketing campaign to find those barbershoppers.

Extreme “Everyone In Harmony” – Opening a World of Possibility - The vision of the Barbershop Harmony Society, “Everyone in Harmony,” means much more than breaking down the barriers to who can be a member of the BHS or a chapter. The development of the Strategic Plan was a watershed moment that has opened the doors for singing communities to thrive with near-limitless possibilities. The true nature of the Strategic Plan will be explored and applied to your singing community, whether that is a quartet, chorus, chapter, district, or even club. We will explore examples of how traditional chapters have emerged from the pandemic empowered by Everyone In Harmony to thrive and not just to survive.

Christian was the Vice President of Membership for the Mid-Atlantic District from 2010-2014 and from 2017 to 2021, as well as the 2013 and 2014 Chair of the Membership Committee for the Barbershop Harmony Society. In addition to his membership role, he is currently a Member-at-Large on the Mid-Atlantic District Board of Directors (a role he previously held for many years), a member of its Nominating and Ethics Committees, as well as a member of the BHS Operations Team. Christian was certified by the BHS as a Certified Leadership Facilitator in 2017, bringing about positive change for chapters. Christian served on the BHS Governance and Bylaws Committee and was elected to the BHS Board of Directors as a Member at Large, a role he held from 2021-2023. Christian has led a successful career in insurance and risk management and is a sought-after expert in the areas of global insurance tax and regulation.

Tracey Hunter

Tracey Hunter is a dynamic leader within the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), blending creativity, innovation, and passion to inspire chapters and members to thrive. Her remarkable journey from a supporter behind the scenes to a catalyst for growth and engagement has made a profound impact at the chapter and district levels. Tracey’s passion for singing stems from a deeply personal journey. Initially reluctant to sing due to early stigmas, she overcame her fears through voice lessons. She now empowers others to find their voices through initiatives like “OMG I CAN SING,” an outreach program designed to support individuals hesitant to sing in public.

As a member of the Hunterdon County Chapter in New Jersey, and formerly with Somerset Hills Harmony, Tracey has held leadership roles that exemplify her dedication and results:

Executive Officer of Vocal Synergy (2021–present): Founded and grew the chorus from 12 to nearly 60 members. In less than two years, Vocal Synergy achieved national recognition, including a performance at Carnegie Hall and an upcoming one at Lincoln Center, both under the direction of Deke Sharon.
Board Member, Hunterdon Choral Alliance (2022–present): Spearheaded efforts to transform the chapter from surviving to thriving as an arts incubator. Her efforts helped grow membership from 25 men to nearly 100 diverse singers and launched initiatives like the “Jersey Sings” educational event.
Pioneer of “Carbershop” (2020–2021): Pivotal member of the team that created safe singing opportunities during the pandemic using cars and simple audio technology as studios and then organizing drive-in rehearsals and concerts. Featured in The New York Times, Sunday Morning TODAY, and the documentary The Drive to Sing on Amazon Prime.

Tracey’s influence extends beyond her chapter:

Director of Communities, Mid-Atlantic District (2023-2024): Reinvigorated the chapter advocate program and developed fresh strategies to address membership growth, financial development, and community engagement.
Vice President of Events (2025): Introduced innovative enhancements to district events, including on-site food trucks and new promotional strategies to boost attendance and revenue.

Courses

Fundraising – Show Me the Money! - Who doesn’t love “extra money”? Choruses heavily rely on dues and performance revenues. There is a treasure trove of additional revenue that is out there just for the taking. From the simplicity of using an app every time you get wings at B-Dubs, or check out at Wal-Mart, to hosting games of chance. Each fundraising opportunity presents more money for your chorus. Tracey will share tips and tricks on how mobilizing a few dedicated members to focus on fundraising can pay off handsomely.

Extreme Recruiting – A Calendar Full of Recruiting Events - Recruiting is a priority for chorus longevity, but is your entire leadership team committed to do what it takes to routinely embed recruiting events into your calendar? What if many of those recruiting events were not just focused on outreach, but also furthered your music? Tracey Hunter will lead you through the process the Hunterdon County Chapter in New Jersey followed when they threw their weight into recruiting year-round and grew from 25 members in one chorus to three choruses and well over 80 singers in short order.

Culture Starts with You – Creating a Healthy Home for Singing - Do you remember the very first time you visited a chorus as a guest and the thought of joining? The welcome a guest receives as they enter the door, or lack of welcome, very well can set the tone for not just that night but their entire time with your chorus. Chorus culture is established by each person in the room and the chorus will thrive when each person lifts the others up to be better just for being there. Tracey Hunter will lead a collaborative discussion on how to create and foster just such an environment.

Dr. Jay Butterfield

Jay has been active in the Barbershop Harmony Society since joining the Vocal Majority as a teen. His service includes teaching in many districts, both the U.S. and Canada, as well as numerous schools in Germany, Nederland, Ireland, and the UK. It has been his honor to found, compete, and medal as the Musical Director (emeritus) of Parkside Harmony, as well as medal with several others including the Alexandria Harmonizers and the Vocal Majority.

Jay has also been on the international quartet stage several times, including a top 20 semifinal appearance. Jay holds two degrees (B.A. and M.A.) in Music Performance and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He was the 1996 recipient of the MENC/BHS award for service and music education and received a school Grammy award recipient from NARAS. He currently serves on the C&J Board of Review for Singing and is an active coach, judge, and consultant in choral music and leadership design.

Courses

Vocal Efficiency 101: Good Times, Less Effort - This course takes singers through a quick journey on what vocal efficiency is and how to begin to understand how to apply strategies to become more efficient as a singer. Tips, tricks - and practice - will get you on the road to success.

Dump the Jitters: Overcoming Stage Fright - Here we deal with anxiety, taking a trip to the brain to see where that comes from, and we look at strategies and solutions to help overcome your stage fright and jitters. A fun topic based on science so that everyone can benefit from dumping the jitters.

Strengthen Your Body and Strengthen Your Voice - Here we talk about wellness from a whole-body and vocal perspective. We will explore both body and voice exercises that can be regularly implemented by all singers. This class is highly participatory.

Care of Well-Seasoned Voices - Strategies for seasoned singers, including how to make the most effective use of your voice, how to strengthen areas of need and increase flexibility, and, for leaders, how to work with voices that are in the senior range. Lots of hands-on in this class. (for directors, team members and singers)

Matt Hopper

Matt has been a barbershopper since 2006 when he joined his first quartet at Newark High School. Going on to study music performance and industry at Capital University, Matt became a member of the BHS in 2008 when he joined the ranks of The Alliance Chorus. Soon after, Matt helped found his most well-known quartet, The Con Men, who would go on to win the JAD Quartet Championship in 2012, earn three consecutive 3rd place bronze medals in the International Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest, win the Dealer’s Choice award, appear on the International stage 8 times, and sing hundreds of chapter shows across 10 different states. Since 2015, Matt has been the front-line director and co-director for the Newark Ohio Chapter, absent a brief pause from 2018-2020 when he moved to Nashville, TN to work for Harmony Foundation International.

Matt currently lives in his hometown of Newark, OH, with his wife Emily and dog Gemma, and works as a Deputy Clerk for the Licking County Clerk of Courts - Auto Title office.

Courses

Building Effective Ad Campaigns - Effective strategies to help your chorus maximize on advertising revenue to help fund your chapter. Bulletproof ad sales programs. Tips and tricks to turn every member of your chorus into a bonafide salesperson for the chapter. Lessons learned from the chapter who averages $10,000+ in ad revenue every year.

Improving Community Engagement and Partnership - Learn who to approach to make your chapter more known in your community. Tips for effectively booking sing-outs. Making your chorus more visible in your community by supporting your community fearlessly. Learning tips and tricks from the chapter that has more sing-outs than rehearsals each year.

Barry Kelley

Barry has worked as both Secretary and Treasurer of the Huntington Tri-State Chapter in Huntington, WV, for the past 8 years. While most choruses have two individuals for these positions, The ThunderTones have been able to use the talents Barry possesses across both. When he started, the chorus had 12 regular members, and through his leadership efforts and contributions to the chapter’s board, the chorus now boasts 38 on the roster with 30 active members. Even though the chapter has grown, Barry has willingly continued in both roles, even though responsibilities for the position have also grown. In 2020, he was recognized by the chapter as Barbershopper of the Year, as his contributions go well beyond his roles on the board.

Courses

Secretary & Treasurers - Roundtable discussions with other chapter secretaries and treasurers from around JAD and CAR sharing best practices, reviewing regulation changes, and otherwise helping you keep your chapter legal.

Drew Wheaton

Drew Wheaton is the tenor of the 2016 International Barbershop Quartet champions, Forefront, baritone of the 2023 International 3rd Place Barbershop Quartet, First Take, and has been the Artistic and Musical Director of Great River Voices since May 2023. He holds music degrees from McGill University and the University of Louisville and a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at U of L.

Drew has been teaching private voice lessons since 2015 and now does so in his home in Louisville or “on location” as necessary.

Drew has also been active as a coach and clinician, coaching barbershop various quartets and choruses, directing youth barbershop camps, and teaching at various contemporary a cappella workshops and camps (Kettering National A Cappella Festival, Camp A Cappella, etc.). He also is a live sound engineer for contemporary a cappella concerts throughout Louisville.

Drew lives in Louisville with his beautiful wife, Kristina, who is also an award-winning barbershop singer (2013 and 2023 International Harmony Incorporated Quartet Champion), along with their two amazing sons and wonderful daughter.

Courses

Culture Code - Create unity through culture in your chapter and chorus

Effective Guest Nights - How to plan, market, and implement effective guest nights for maximum exposure.

Throw Out the Compliment Sandwich - How to Give Effective Feedback

Dave Rubin

Dave served as JAD President in 2019-2020 and again in 2022 and serves as the current JAD Director of Contests and Judging. He is a past BHS Music Judge, a published arranger, the former director of two chapters in JAD, a moderator of the District President’s Council, and a member of the BHS Strategic Planning Committee. He was the 2010 JAD Director of the Year, the 2022 JAD Barbershopper of the Year, and the 2023 inductee into the JAD Hall of Fame.

Courses

Rehearsal Productivity: Tips and Tricks - The session highlights various strategies and techniques to help choruses get better beyond just putting them on the risers (or in the chairs) and just “pounding on them.” The instructor will start the discussion with some things that have worked for him and then turn the session it into a sharing experience for what has worked for others in the room.

Presidents - Roundtable discussions with other chapter presidents from around JAD and CAR, sharing best practices, reviewing regulation changes, leadership strategies, and philosophy, and discussing how to effectively guide your chapter and its leaders.