Hari Birtles
Hari’s musical journey began at an early age, singing almost as soon as she could talk and she also went on to learn to play piano and trumpet to a high level.Hari trained in Musical Theatre and began directing choirs and arranging a cappella music whilst still in school. She then went on to direct a university choir whilst studying at Cardiff University, arranging many of the songs they sang.
Since leaving university Hari directed the Girl’s National Barbershop Youth Chorus for seven years, has been Assistant Musical Director for a national gold medal chorus as well leading and coaching choruses and quartets in singing and performance. She has continued to arrange music for groups in Europe and Harmony InSpires are very much enjoying singing one of her arrangements.
In 2011, Hari won the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) Gillian Depledge Lowe award for “Inspirational Leadership and Dedication” for her services to LABBS, the Education and Judging Committee and the National Youth Chorus. Then in 2012 Hari won the Pride of Buckinghamshire Young Person’s Award for “being and inspiration and for her dedication to music and youth in the UK”.
By day Hari works in Program Management, leading the Program Management Office for a global Aerospace company.
Hari took up her position in November 2019. She has lead the chorus through Covid lockdowns where we became a temporarily virtual chorus, now out the other side of that she has taken the chorus to success at numerous music festivals and at the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers annual convention.
