OUR DIRECTOR:
Martha DeClerq,
Certified Master Director
Martha DeClerq, Master Director, joined York Harmony Chorus (YHC) in the fall of 2001 and less than a year later won the Novice Director award at the 2002 and 2003 annual Region 16 Competition in Syracuse, NY.In 2013 Martha receved the Nancy Field Leadership Award and the Larry Dale Coaching Award all in the same year. In 2018 Martha achieved her Master Director designation after guiding the Chorus to a score of 601 at the Regional Competition. Martha is a dynamic, enthusiastic and very talented leader, who began her Sweet Adeline’s career singing in the Nepean, ON with Canadian Showtime Chorus. Upon moving to Toronto, she joined internationally-acclaimed North Metro Chorus where she won two gold International medals. In 2019 YHC won the Regional AA Division and came 2nd place overall, Martha is looking forward to taking YHC to their first International competition in Phoenix Arizona in 2022.
Martha has also competed internationally as the ‘Baritone’ in the Region 16 winning quartet champions “Quasar” in 1989, as the ‘Lead’ in the 2010 and 2011 Region 16 champion quartet “Here & Now!”, and as the ‘Lead’ in the 2014, 2015 and current 2019 Region 16 champion quartet “S.L.A.M.!”.
In addition to directing our chorus, Martha shares her talents and love for barbershop singing by coaching a number of choruses and quartets in the region and Internationally She is a Certified Director and has been actively involved in Lake Ontario Region 16s Education Faculty. She has been instrumental in encouraging young women to learn and enjoy the art of Barbershop singing through the “Young Women in Harmony” program.
Martha has been involved with Sweet Adeline’s for more than 35 years. She is a fantastic baker, works a full-time job, and in addition to her coaching and directing, she enjoys spending time with her husband Peter and two daughters Katherine and Meaghan (who has followed her mom’s example and sings with YHC too).
Martha’s motto is “Live, Love, Laugh and definitely, Sing”. She also emphasizes having fun and letting that inner music out.
We are proud to have Martha at the helm of our musical product with her contagious humor, enthusiasm and dedication. To contact Martha email [email protected]
