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                        Performance Leadership

                        Aaron Dale - Director

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                        Aaron has been the musical director of the Kentucky Vocal Union since its formation in 2006, and is the primary arranger and artistic director behind the group.  He lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky with his wife, Samantha, and four children.  He is employed as an elementary music educator in the Hardin County public school system.  Aaron holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky, where he was a percussionist.  He also has a Masters of Arts degree in Special Education from Campbellsville University.   

                        Aaron has been an a cappella enthusiast since high school, and joined the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1991.  He was the lead of the 2008 Cardinal District Champs, 65 South, and has been a coach and musical advisor for various vocal groups over the years.  In addition, he has been a certified Music judge for the BHS since 2004.  Aaron is a highly sought after arranger for quartets and choral groups world-wide, and has arrangements published by the Barbershop Harmony Society.   His vocal arrangements have been commissioned and performed by such artists as O.C. Times, Crossroads, the Westminster Chorus, Vocal Spectrum, Realtime, Tim Waurick, The Masters of Harmony Chorus, State Line Grocery, The Vocal Majority Chorus, and many others.  In addition to directing the KVU, Aaron directed the Louisville Times Chorus from 2001-2004, and has conducted high school, middle school, and elementary school choral ensembles.

                        As a percussionist, Aaron has performed with several ensembles over the years including the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, and Blue Steel-Professional Steel Drum Band.  In 1992 he marched with the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps.  Aaron has arranged and written music for various high school marching bands over the years, and has been conductor for elementary and high school percussion ensembles.  He has percussion compositions published by Row-Loff productions and Tapspace Publications.  Aaron's percussion background is evident in many of his rhythmically diverse vocal arrangements.


                        Andrew Wheaton - Assistant Director / Lead Section Leader

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                        Drew Wheaton is a Graduate of McGill University in Music Theory, and is in his first year in the Music Education program at the University of Louisville. He has been singing barbershop since birth, officially being a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for the last 15 years.  Over those years he has sung with various NED quartets, including South Side, a quartet that placed 2nd in the NED in 2002, and Blend Tech which was the first quartet from the Northeastern District to compete in both the International Quartet Competition and the International College Quartet Competition in the same year. 

                        Drew also runs a learning track recording business, which you can find at www.akwrecording.com.  Through barbershop Drew met his lovely wife, Kristina.  He is very excited to be joining the ranks of Lucky Day and is looking forward to the adventure to come. 


                        James Pennington - Assistant Director / Baritone Section Leader

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                        James is a sports journalist from Lexington, Kentucky.  He was the baritone of the 2008 Cardinal District quartet champs, 65 South, and he is a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fan - no further punchline necessary.


                        Chris Gregory - Bass Section Leader

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                        Chris is a pharmacist from Indianapolis, Indiana, and has won the Cardinal District quartet contest two-hundred and thirty-five times...  mostly on tenor.  He is sinister but kind to children.


                        Steve Bogaerts - Tenor Section Leader

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                        Singer.  Scholar.  Patriot.  Steve’s life is one of adventure, briefly claiming the title “World’s Youngest Baby” at birth, founding a trampoline store franchise in the 1950’s, and winning the National Acronym Spelling Championship (NSAC) 6 years in a row from 1974 - 1979.  In 1980 he was forced to take time off due to personal scandal and banned substance allegations, only to make a triumphant return from 1981 - 1986.  It is with this same joie de vivre that Steve uses French phrases he really doesn’t understand.  Bow-legged raconteur, giant monster fireman, keeper of the elbows, there is no end to the things Steve says he does.  He has also mentioned singing in many ensembles over the years, and is very excited to be a part of the Kentucky Vocal Union.

                        His name was Steve Bogaerts, and probably still is.



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