Introducing IBOD Member Julie Starr

Curiosity, forward thinking, and glorious music

The first time recentlyelected International Board of Directors (IBOD) member Julie Starr saw Pat LeVezu directing, she knew she’d found her calling. “I watched her directing, and I said, ‘Oh, that's what I want to do,’” says Julie. “A lot of directors kind of fall into the job or are pushed into the job, but I wanted it. I wanted to be the maestro of all of those voices and see how they all come together so masterfully. Pat was just able to take all these fairly average voices and make them sound beautiful all together. I thought that was a real gift, and I wanted to learn how to do that.”

With Pat’s encouragement, Julie not only learned to direct but has now been Master Director of Bay Area Showcase Chorus for almost 20 years. In 2019, the chorus placed 14th in the world at International competition in New Orleans. Even after all this time, she is still passionate about the music that brought her here.

“Making glorious music is my favorite thing about being a Sweet Adeline,” she says. “I’m so attuned to the sound that we make and the harmonies. When it clicks in, when it rings, there is nothing else like it. There are moments in performance when you’re just transported. I love being able to facilitate that as a director and to be part of it.”

Just as Pat inspired and mentored her as a director, so has Julie shared her own ever-growing expertise. She previously served six years as a Regional Education Coordinator, and she is the current chair of the Director Certification Program Review Committee. She also serves on an international task force focused on online education.

“I’m very passionate about education, particularly education of directors, but education for all singers,” she says. “I want to get the best education out there and available for the people who want it.”

Education is one thing she hopes to focus on as a member of the IBOD, but she looks forward to all the rewards and challenges of her new leadership role, even though it begins at a particularly difficult time in history.

“I feel very honored to be elected to the Board at this time, even though it's a really tough time,” says Julie. “The Board has to grapple with a lot of big, heavy decisions that impact everybody. I'll have an opportunity to help see the organization through into a new normal, and that's exciting to me. I’m a very forward-thinking person, and I love change. I’m always curious about what lies around the next corner.”

She said she is also honored to be in such good company.

“Pat was a Past International President and on the Board, and she mentioned to me that one of the biggest rewards is getting to work with all of these very smart, down to earth people who have the best interests of the organization in mind,” says Julie. “I really look forward to working with all the brilliant people on this Board to help make Sweet Adelines an even better place than it already is.”