Who we are
Voices of the Sound is an all-voices chorus in Olympia, Washington, singing the ringing chords of the barbershop tradition. We come together each week for the joy of building harmony, and we love sharing that sound with our community.
A community built on harmony
We're a group of neighbors, friends, and new faces who gather to sing close harmony a cappella. Some of us trained for years; some picked it up right here. Together we make a fuller, richer sound than any of us could alone.
As an all-voices chorus, we welcome every range and every background. What holds us together is a shared love of singing and a warm, supportive place to grow.
To grow a welcoming, all-voices a cappella chorus rooted in the barbershop tradition, where musical excellence, expressive performance, and genuine connection come together in service of something greater than ourselves. We’re a community where singers of all backgrounds contribute, grow, and thrive: musically, personally, and collectively.
What we value
Musical excellence
We pursue a clean, ringing sound and grow our skills together.
Artistic joy
We sing because it lifts us, and we bring that joy to every performance.
Inclusive culture
Every voice and every person is welcome here.
Respectful communication
We speak and listen with care, on and off the risers.
Lifelong learning
There's always more to discover, at every age and stage.
Service through song
We share our music to brighten our community.
Vocal health & longevity
We sing in ways that keep our voices strong for years to come.
Empowerment through education
We teach and learn so every singer grows in confidence.
Collaborative spirit
We make the music together, each part supporting the whole.
Integrity on and off stage
We show up honestly and treat each other well.
Hi, I'm Ted, the one waving my arms up front most Mondays. I've spent more than forty-five years in barbershop, ever since I joined my first chorus as a teenager, and I'm still learning what makes a chorus ring, what draws people to close harmony, and what keeps them coming back week after week. When the chance came to relaunch a dormant Olympia chapter as an all-voices chorus, I jumped at it. I believe this music belongs to everyone, and I love building a place where singers of every voice and every background feel at home on the risers.
Music has been my life's work. I spent twenty-eight years teaching vocal music in public schools, hold degrees in Vocal Performance and in K-12 Music Education along with National Board Certification. At Ted's Voice Academy, the studio I founded, I coach singers and speakers of every kind, from brand-new beginners to seasoned performers. I've directed choruses since 1987, and I still sing today, these days on the bass part in the mixed quartet, Hot Notes, alongside my sister Anna. What all of that means for you is simple: wherever you are as a singer, I know how to meet you there and help you grow.
Whether I'm leading the full chorus, coaching one singer, or teaching a brand-new singer their first tag (a short, ringing barbershop ending), my goal is always the same: help you discover what your voice can do, and enjoy every minute of it. If you've ever wondered whether you could sing in harmony, you can, and we'd love to have you. Come stand on the risers with us and find out.
Join the harmony
Come sing with us, hear us live, or support our work. There's a place for you in this chorus.