Susan Ives is the recipient of the 2019 Sweet Adelines National Association for Music Education Award. Ives has been the director of the local Sweet Adelines chapter, Topeka Acappella Unlimited Chorus (formerly Sunflower Harmony Chorus) for 25 years. Ives is also a two-time Queen of Harmony, singing lead with International Champion Quartets Classic Edition (1998) and Zing! (2010). She has also been the lead for International Finalist Quartets, the Heat Quartet and Pizzazz Quartet.
Ives taught music education in both rural and inner-city schools since the 1980s, retiring this spring from Topeka Public Schools, 501 School District. Ives introduced generations of young singers to the joy of barbershop harmony over the years. She has been instrumental in organizing Young Women in Harmony educational events, and her students have gone on to join active quartets and even become barbershop directors.
Ives will be recognized for her achievements at the 2019 International Sweet Adelines Convention and Competition in New Orleans on September 16. At the same time, her Pizzazz Quartet will also be competing again on the International Stage.
Topeka Acappella Unlimited meets regularly to practice, perform, socialize, and have fun. They currently have over 30 singers of all ages, all walks of life, and all parts of the Topeka area. TAU meets every Monday evening at 7 PM at Seaman Congregational Church at 2036 NW Taylor. Anyone interested is welcome to visit a practice.
TAU can be heard throughout the year singing for civic and charitable organizations, private groups, churches, families and friends, community events, and fundraisers.
For more information email maadams783@gmail.com or visit www.acappellaunlimited.com.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
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Topeka Rescue Mission facing possible closure due to financial shortfall