JEAN SCHOENLANK has been named our Harriette Walters Leadership Award Winner for 2025! Here are a few reasons why!

Chorus Leadership:

Jean’s service to Harmony Celebration Chorus (fmr Ramapo Valley) and Region 15 has spanned more than 30 years. Chorus Leadership roles included: Lead Section Leader, Music Team Facilitator, Chorus Manager, and Director Search Coordinator.

Regional Leadership:

Regional Leadership roles included: Regional Faculty, RMT Education Coordinator, and Blue Note Champion Quartet Organizer. Jean has also been a role model for performance excellence as a member of Just Four (Kicks) Quartet!

During the pandemic, Jean helped plan and deliver our efforts to keep the region connected through virtual events every month for almost two years! She contributed creative ideas for our virtual event strategy, created content, and engaged internal faculty participants. She also often acted as co-host for the live events.

Notable: Harmony Celebration Chorus is so proud to have two of our very talented members named in two consecutive years as the recipients of the Harriette Walters award.

JEAN SCHOENLANK - International Board

Greater NY/NJ Region #15 and Harmony Celebration Chorus are proud to be represented by JEAN at the Sweet Adelines International level. She has had a profound impact on her local barbershop community and we look forward to seeing the impact we know she will have on the greater good of the international organization!

A little background:

• Member of Ramapo Valley/Harmony Celebration Chorus since 1986.

• Many leadership positions in the chorus including board member, chorus manager, lead section leader.

• Three-time Region 15 Quartet Champion and Blue Notes Founder/Coordinator.

• Region 15 Education Coordinator 2018-2024.

• Member of International Nominating Committee 2021.

• Member of Regional Leadership Committee 2023-present.

• Member of DEI Selection Committee 2025-26.

• International Board of Directors 2025-26

KAT BRITT Receives 2024 Harriette Walters Leadership Award

Harriette Walters (Master Director 700, Greater Nassau Chorus) revealed our winner and presented the award to Kat on behalf of the Region 15 Management Team.

Here are some of the highlights from Harriett’s remarks:

“Kat has been a hardworking, dedicated member of Sweet Adelines for almost thirty years. Currently Director of Jersey Harmony Chorus and Assistant Director of Harmony Celebration. She lives and breathes barbershop and loves to share her passion for it with others. When sharing her expertise with choruses, quartets, or individuals, Kat shows caring and positivity, is always upbeat, encouraging and lots of fun! She has devoted much personal time to helping individual members, quartets, choruses, and the region.”

A special congratulations to Kat Britt on receiving the 2024 Harriette Walters Leadership Award!