Mary Ellen Guntzelman Master Director of the Columbus Chorus
Sweet Adelines International

Mary Ellen Guntzelman became a member of Sweet Adelines in 1959 with a chorus in Cincinnati and has been singing ever since. She became Assistant Director of the Chorus in 1964 but was then transferred with her job to Cleveland, Ohio where she became Director of the Parma Chorus in 1966. After directing that chorus for four years, she accepted a position with the Defense Department in Columbus, Ohio and became the Director of the Columbus Chorus in the fall of 1970. Mary Ellen received Master Director status at the Region 4 Competition in April of 2003.
During her many years as a Sweet Adeline, Mary Ellen also sang in a quartet which competed annually, winning the Regional Competition on one occasion and receiving third place medals and honorable mention on several occasions. In addition to performing with the chorus and for a variety of audiences in the Columbus area, her quartet also entertained on a number of shows presented by other Sweet Adelines and Barbershop choruses throughout the region.

Mary Ellen assisted the Regional Director of Musical Activities (DMA) by serving as a staff member for a number of years, providing training for Sweet Adelines throughout the Region. She also has coached various Sweet Adeline choruses and quartets.

She loves barbershop harmony and the beautiful music that can be made with just the human voice. She enjoys this wonderful hobby and appreciates the many friends she has made through the years.

Columbus Chorus Assistant Directors

Kathy Larkins, Georgia Glunt, Kim Lawrence, Linda Rightor

Georgia Glunt (front left)
is a Certified Director with Sweet Adelines and has been an Assistant Director for the chorus since 1987. She also serves as a tenor section leader. During her 28 years with the chorus she has held filled many administrative roles, including three stints as President of the chorus. When not active with the chorus she runs two small businesses. One is called Music in Motion, in which she performs as a pianist for local eateries & provides programs for senior residences. The other, The Renaissance Gal, is a handywoman service offering painting, powerwashing and home repairs. Georgia is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in music & business. Her instruments are piano, trumpet, percussion and of course, voice. She lives north of Dublin along the Scioto River and shares her home with two kitty cats.

Kathy Larkins (back left)
became a member of the Columbus Chorus in 1985. She has served the chorus in many areas from riser chairperson to president and section leader. A graduate of Upper Arlington and OSU with a degree in Music Education, she earns her living as a contractor. She and Kim Lawrence share a home in Dublin with their nine cats.

 
Kim Lawrence (center back)
joined this chorus in 1986. Kim previously served as a founding member of River Magic Chorus in Huntington, WV. Her quartet, the Alumni Association, won the Regional Quartet Contest in 1983. Kim is a section leader in Columbus Chorus and has served as vice president and quartet promotion chair. She is co-owner of a small contracting business. Along with working and singing, she enjoys spending time with her 3 children, 3 grandchildren and nine felines.

Linda Rightor (far right)

has been  in the Columbus Chorus for 4 decades. During that time she has served on the Chapter Board of Directors and Management team of which she is currently treasurer, and has held many positions as a chapter officer. She currently sings tenor in her quartet, Regency. She is an accountant for the city of Columbus. Linda is a widow with three children, three step-children and seven grandchildren in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, and Michigan. When not off visiting family, she likes to spend time with her grandson right here in Columbus.