Elaine Gain

Elaine Gain has been with the Sweet Adelines Region 16 Greater Kingston Chorus for over 32 years and has been Musical Director for 29 seasons. She earned the title Master Director with Sweet Adelines International for the high level of performance skills that the chorus has achieved at regional and international competitions over the years. Her main goal is to strive for excellence in delivering an entertaining musical product while training ordinary singers to do extraordinary performances. She strives to provide joyful, fun-filled rehearsals where women can learn, grow, gain confidence, and communicate through sharing songs; be the best they can be.

A country girl at heart, Elaine spent her childhood north of Kingston, Ontario. Starting at the age of 5, she studied music, including piano and voice. She continued her musical studies through to university, where she graduated from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario with a Bachelor' of Arts Degree in Music. She is a graduate of Peterborough Teachers’ College and is an Elementary Vocal Music Specialist. She also studied piano, theory, history and harmony for many years with the Toronto Conservatory of Music.

She has been a Sweet Adeline for 32 years; directing Greater Kingston Chorus for 29 years. Quartetting has always been a passion, as she has sung tenor, lead and bass in many quartets which have competed and placed in the top 5 many times. Currently she sings bass with Uptown Jazzin’; fifth place medalist at Region 16 Competition in April.

She taught Elementary School for the Limestone District Board of Education; having directed many children’s choirs, many school musical and concerts, including the Limestone Chorister’s Jr. Choir. Now retired from teaching after 31 years, Elaine has a second career of coaching, mentoring directors, directing GKC and arranging vocal music, which keep her very busy. Recently, Elaine received an International Music Arranger’s Program two year Scholarship, to advance her study of arranging vocal harmony. She is hoping to become a Certified Arranger with Sweet Adelines Int’l in the near future.

She served as Director’s Coordinator for 6 years on the Regional Management Team and now is on the Regional Faculty.

Under Elaine’s direction Greater Kingston has participated every year in regional contests and has placed consistently in the top three, gold, silver and bronze, for over twenty years. She has led the Greater Kingston Chorus to two First Place Region 16 Championships and a Wildcard, which have taken the chorus to International Competitions in New Orleans, Portland, Oregon, and the stage in the Saddledome in Calgary.

When she’s not singing or directing, Elaine is relaxing, gardening, boating, golfing, swimming, or walking, at her home on beautiful Loughborough Lake, north of Kingston, with her husband of 40 years, Bob. She has 2 daughters, Trina and Hailey who are married. Her three grandchildren Sydney, Kiercy and Brodie often sing with grandma, as she passes along her love and joy of singing and music to the next generation.

Paula Allen

Paula Allen has been a member of Sweet Adelines Region 16 Greater Kingston Chorus since 1970. She became Assistant Director in 1972 then Associate Director in 1987. Paula is committed to improving vocal production for individuals and the chorus to enhance the whole singing experience.

Paula has sung since the age of 4 and at 6, sang on a television show in Edmonton, Alberta. Music continued to be present throughout her school years, where she performed, playing guitar and singing alone and in groups.

Since Paula has been with Greater Kingston Chorus, she has sung tenor and baritone. In her quartet, Diamond Jazz, she qualified to sing on the International stage four times and placed 15th in Portland, Oregon in 2001 and again in Nashville in 2002.

In Region 16, Paula is a former member of the Regional Management Team and is still on the Music Faculty where she enjoys coaching choruses and quartets. Regional recognition includes Regional Sweet Adeline of the year, Assistant Director Award, Nancy Field Leadership Excellence Award and has been a Certified Director for over 20 years.

Having recently retired from her career as a physiotherapist, Paula now has more time to devote to music, golfing, canoeing, and gardening. Paula and her husband Bill enjoy their two grown sons and extended family. Paula declares there are many more songs to sing and new ways of learning how to teach and perform in her future.

Nancy Watson

Nancy Watson became a Sweet Adeline in the fall of 1977. Over the years she has served the chorus administratively, musically and is a certified director

Quarteting since 1992 has provided Nancy with challenges, passion and fun! She is currently singing bass in “Here & Now!” quartet - Region 16 2010 1st place medalists.  Nancy is a member of Lake Ontario Region 16 music faculty and she is the Region 16 Assistant director Coordinator.   And as if that's not enough Nancy also loves coaching! In April 2009 she was awarded the Region 16 Larry Dale Coaching Award.

Professionally, Nancy works as a veterinary technologist at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario. She married her high school sweetheart, Scott, in 1976 and they are very proud of their grown sons Ted, Kevin, and A.J, and 2 grandchildren on their way. A granddaughter due in late September 2010 and the second grandchild due in early November 2010!

Proud to be a member of the Greater Kingston Chorus, Nancy devotes a lot of time and effort to Sweet Adelines but she stands firm in the belief that the rewards far outweigh the demands.