Musical Leadership at a Glance (Bio below)
Directors
Nick Seifert, Music Director
Don Staffin, Artistic Director
Doug Brown, Vocal Coach
Section Leaders
Millie Barry, Soprano
Kim Cook, Alto
Richard Prestholdt, Tenor
John Gardner, Bass
Subject Matter Experts
Debra Lynn, Music Advisor, Clinician
Sean Devine, Music Advisor, Clinician
Music Educators
Colleen Grzywacz, Music Advisor
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Nick Seifert - Music Director
Nick graduated from the University of Notre Dame with majors in saxophone performance and biological sciences, and studied conducting under Glee Club Director, Mr. Dan Stowe. Nick was a director of Notre Dame's Handbell Choirs, Saxophone Ensemble, and Unchained Melodies a capella. He was involved throughout the Band of the Fighting Irish and was named the University's Outstanding Band Member and Club President of the Year in 2020. Currently, Nick is pursuing his Master's in Music Education from Messiah University.
Outside of school, Nick is an active director, performer, and arranger. He performs with the Hawthorne Caballeros DCI all-age corps, and is a long-time handbell musician, performing with church choirs, collegiate handbell ensembles, and nearly a dozen local festivals. Nick is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Handbell Musicians of America, the National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Kappa, and has served on the board of the New Jersey Marching Band Director's Association.
Nick currently lives in Stockton, NJ and enjoys riding his bike along the river and paddle-boarding down the canal.
Don Staffin - Artistic Director
Don has been singing, directing, and arranging for a cappella choruses since, well... a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Don and his wife Chris (SHH member and leader) co-directed their a cappella group in graduate school at Cornell University. He joined Jersey Harmony Express, the predecessor of SHH, in 2011 and grew as a contributor with his vocal percussion and arranging skills. As president from 2015-2021, Don led the development of a Music Advisory Board to help set the musical vision as the organization went through a complete transformation to a mixed chorus as “Somerset Hills Harmony”. He also led the organization through the Covid years, helping to pioneer drive-in rehearsals and concerts, as well as helping the chorus to create quality virtual performance.
From 2017-2023, Don and Chris served as co-directors of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School A Cappella Alliance, an after-school workshop and performing ensemble for students looking to expand their musical horizons beyond traditional choral music to the world of contemporary a cappella. He has spearheaded SHH’s longtime partnership with the Bridgewater-Raritan scholastic arts community, including the establishment of the annual "Pluckemin A Cappella Festival" held each June.
Don has published more than thirty contemporary a cappella arrangements, is a published book author, former comedy show performer/producer, and certified cow whisperer. Don and Chris have four daughters, two of whom are Somerset Hills Harmony alumni. Professionally, Don is an executive with a global marine and e-commerce company.
Doug Brown - Vocal Coach
Doug is the Chairman and CEO of Paradigm Associates LLC, a company he founded in 1985. He has appeared on television and radio and has worked with executives representing every corner of the US, Canada, Central America, Europe, Asia, and South Africa.
While at the University of Delaware, he was elected to campus-wide, regional, and national offices and was an Intern in the U.S. Senate for Sen. William Roth (R-DEL). As a high school Intern, Doug was picked up and driven around by none other than Joe Biden, a County Commissioner in Delaware.
He has won numerous awards from organizations such as the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, The New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE), and the Trusted Advisors Network, who inducted Doug into their Hall of Fame.
He and his wife, Jill, who have two grown sons, have both been active in their Cranford, NJ community. Doug is active as both a Lector and a Cantor for St Michael's Parish.
Debra Lynn - Music Advisor, Clinician
Debra has been contributing her vocal production understanding to the world of Barbershop since 2010, when she wrote her first articles connecting Bel Canto with higher-level results in The Harmonizer, presenting each year thereafter at BHS International Conventions and serving on Harmony University faculty at Belmont University in 2017/18. Her extensive coaching work has helped men and women to achieve the highest level success in all three barbershop organizations. She is author of The Bel Canto Buzz: Beautiful singing made simple! and is currently on International Faculty for Sweet Adelines International. Debra now maintains a worldwide online vocal studio and in 2018 established a Certification Training Program to
expand her impact and global vision for singing ease in this unique time of human transformation.
Sean Devine - Music Advisor, Clinician
Sean Devine brings over 25 years of professional stage experience, education and design to SHH. He is a sought-after clinician, certified Performance Judge (BHS), and champion quartet singer with OC Times. Born and raised in “The Sweetest Place on Earth” – Hershey, PA, he is also the Founder & Artistic Director of the award-winning chorus, Parkside Harmony. From 2001-2008, Sean toured full-time with America’s Premier Doo-Wop Group, The Alley Cats. For the last 13 years he has proudly served our barbershop community as a Staff Member of Harmony Foundation, helping to connect people through charitable giving to enrich lives through singing.
Colleen Grzywacz - Music Advisor
Colleen grew up in Sussex County and studied music at The College of New Jersey, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with a Vocal Concentration. During her time at TCNJ, she was a member of the Trentones, a college a cappella group, singing with many of the group’s founders. Colleen was also a member of the TCNJ Chorale and Concert Choir. She was very active in TCNJ’s Opera Theatre, participating in several musicals and operettas throughout her four years.
After college, Colleen taught Chorus, General Music, directed Select Choir, and served as the Drama Club Music Director at Eisenhower Intermediate School in Bridgewater, NJ and was named the NJ Governor's Teacher of the Year in 2011. After Colleen had children of her own, she moved to Hackettstown Middle School where she currently teaches 5th-8th grade Chorus, 5th grade General Music, and directs two select choirs. Throughout her time at HMS, she has helped prepare several students for honor choir auditions and has had students accepted to ensembles at the county, region, state, and eastern level. She is passionate about providing her students with a positive and enriching experience in Chorus and building the foundation of healthy singing!
Colleen is an active member of many professional music organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, New Jersey Music Education Association, and the Morris Area Choral Director’s Association. For the past three years, Colleen has served as Manager of the Morris Area Middle School Honor Choir.
Colleen has been a member of Somerset Hills Harmony family since January, 2020. She was Associate Director through 2022, and has been music advisor since then. In her spare time, Colleen loves gardening, exercising, and spending time with her husband and three children.
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