About our Director, Sheila Nugent

Sheila Nugent  has served as Piney Hills Harmony's interim director since August, 2010. Prior to that she served as assistant director and has been a member of Sweet Adelines since 2003. Other chorus positions that she has held have included president, board member, bass section leader and Choreography/Showmanship Team member.

Sheila regularly attends Sweet Adeline regional summer music camps and seminars and has also attended the organization's International Education Symposium. She sings baritone in her quartet, Lux, and has also sung and competed internationally as a dual member with Top of the Rock Chorus in Little Rock, Ark. For her outstanding contributions to Piney Hills Harmony, Sheila was voted local Sweet Adeline of the Year in 2004.

Sheila has a deep admiration for Sweet Adelines International and for Piney Hills Harmony Chorus in particular. "I love the close-knit, familial relationship that our chorus has," she says. "The love and warmth that our chorus shows each other is unbelievable. It is truly an honor to be a part of such a talented, giving group of women." Sheila also loves to hear the "lock and ring" of barbershop chords. "To me, no other form of music can compare to barbershop. When four voices are so blended together so completely, so true and pure that an overtone is created simply through four voices singing together as one... the ability to create such a beautiful sound is truly a blessing from God."

Sheila is currently the curriculum strategist at Simsboro High School. She is working on her doctorate of education at Louisiana Tech University. She has been married to the love of her life, Kevin Nugent, since March, 2009, and has a wonderful step-daughter, Madeline. She and her family make their home in Ruston, LA.

Please contact Sheila if you have any questions about Piney Hills Harmony!

About our Assistant Director, Teresa Howard

Teresa has been a Sweet Adeline for over six years and has thoroughly enjoyed the craft of barbershop! She has been a Speech/Language Pathologist for 26 years, and she often tells people, "I only work to support my singing habit." Teresa feels that she has learned more about vocal production through SAI than she ever did at the university.

Teresa began her leadership roles in the chorus by volunteering to lead physical warm-ups. Since then, she has served as co-section leader for the lead section, as a member of the choreography team/visual team, as a member of the music staff, as assistant director, and as a board member on two occasions. She has enjoyed going to several IES conferences in San Antonio, as well as many summer music camps and quartet retreats. Teresa has soaked up the craft of barbershop like a sponge and has cherished every moment of it, especially the friendships made along the way. Recently Teresa has enjoyed being a member of a quartet, Take Four, and all that it encompasses. "Being a member of a quartet has launched my learning curve into a whole other level of which I am grateful," she says.

Teresa is newly married to a wonderful man who spoils her way too much! She and her husband live in Monroe, LA. Teresa has a son, Andrew, who is 22 years old, and a stepson, David, who is 20 years old. She also enjoys singing in the contemporary praise choir in her church. Teresa says, "Sweet Adelines has impacted my life not only as a hobby, but as a person as well. I look forward to many more years to come as a Sweet Adeline!"