Shannon Landis, Soprano

Business Diva

Shannon Landis was born and raised in Reading , Pennsylvania , to a very musical family.  Guitars and rock music were a daily occurrence. She took an early interest in the arts and singing, making up songs and shows with neighborhood friends. She participated in school variety shows and sang with her family whenever possible.

  When she was thirteen, her family moved to Jamaica Plain , MA . Her parents encouraged her involvement with the Footlight Club theater, an organization with which she continues her collaboration, serving on the Board of Directors as Volunteers Director.

 She attended both Hartwick College and the University of Massachusetts as a vocal performance major, eventually opting for a more thorough arts experience, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Theater.  

After joining the Braintree Choral Society in 2001, she quickly found the opportunity to perform solo parts and serve on the Board of Directors, first as Advertising Manager, and later Treasurer. During this period she auditioned for Purely Vocals and was offered a soprano opportunity. Through Purely Vocals, Shannon has had the wonderful opportunity to expand her skills and challenge herself musically. “Singing a cappella is a welcome challenge.”

  Writing of challenges, while singing with Braintree Choral Society and Purely Vocals, Shannon completed a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University 's Creative Arts and Learning program while consecutively working full-time for Harvard University 's School of Public Health . And, as if that wasn't challenge enough, Shannon met and agreed to marry her fiancé David, an accomplished musician and guitar teacher.

 Her life has come full circle. Her home is once again filled with guitars and rock music every day!

  Shannon 's other interests include web design, reading, theater, crochet/arts and crafts, and games.  One of Shannon 's goals is to see Purely Vocals performing at larger venues.  

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Vicki Silberstein, Alto/Tenor

Princess Diva

Vicki Silberstein was born, raised and educated in Connecticut .  For her parents, neither of whom had graduated from high school, achieving her Master’s Degree was a crowning achievement. 

She always had a love for singing, inspired by her mother, who sang with a “Big Band” back in the late forties.  The family would often take long Sunday drives, listening and singing along to the radio.  “I‘ve always heard the harmonies when listening to music, and it is quite natural for me to sing the third above or below the melody.” 

 Vicki has been involved in music throughout her life. She joined a local community chorus about nine years ago, and has performed consistently with them through many changes of directors.

 “There is such power in singing with a large group, and almost a common thinking that happens when a group sings together.”  She sings in her church choir, and has branched out into performing Jazz when the opportunity presents itself.

 Performing a cappella is a new endeavor. This group has brought great challenges, opportunities and joy to her.  “It is a new experience to sing semi-professionally, having to memorize a large repertoire, and appearing live before many different audiences.  It has been a particular thrill to sing the national anthem at local ballparks. We have become great friends who share a common love of performing. Our vocal blend is something special—hard to achieve, but a real gift to find.”

 Vicki has worked with speech and hearing impaired children and adults for over 14 years and her career path has been very rewarding for her.  Not only has she taught at the University level throughout Boston in the area of Speech and Hearing Disorders, she also completed a course that has brought her an advanced certification as a School Administrator.  She served for three years as the Special Education Administrator in the Weymouth School System, and is currently the principal of an Early Childhood Center on the South Shore .

 When not singing, Vicki plays soccer and racquetball, cooks, quilts and crochets. “I always have to keep something moving-my feet, my hands or my mouth! “  She also enjoys traveling with her family, especially since her children are now young adults.

 Her personal goal is to perform at larger sports venues in the Boston area.  GO SOX!  

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Suzanne Wasil, Alto/Soprano

Secretary Diva

Suzanne Wasil grew up in Braintree, Massachusetts, the oldest of five children.

She began singing when asked to join her church folk group.  After surviving the initial jitters of singing before live audiences, she found that she really loved performing, especially harmonizing.  She continues to sing as a member of the St. Francis folk group.  She has also sung with the St. Clare choir, and as a cantor for weddings and funerals.

 Suzanne has studied piano, voice, performed in various musical revues, and several years ago, joined a local community chorus where she continues to refine her music skills.  Singing in a large group, performing classical and pop music, as well as singing in various languages, has provided her with rewarding challenges and much pleasure.   

After auditioning for Purely Vocals, she was chosen as an alto.  However, the director saw fit to move her to Lead when the combination of singers went from 6 to 4!  “A cappella has been challenging but very rewarding.  Having to memorize enough music to perform for an hour in front of a live audience was hard work but the enjoyment from watching the faces on our audiences has made it well worth the effort.  Audiences really enjoy our performances as well as the variety of songs performed, especially those with vocal percussion.”

Suzanne is married with four children.  Her love of music has continued in the lives of her children, three of whom play musical instruments, and her daughter is pursuing a vocal performance degree at the University of Southern Maine.  She is employed by the town of Braintree as a speech/language pathologist. 

Other interests include arts and crafts projects, scrapbooking, gardening, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

 Of course, harmonizing with her diva friends, Anne, Shannon & Vicki, is a favorite way to spend her after work time!

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Anne Walsh, Alto/Tenor

Queen Diva

Anne started her singing career at the tender age of three, serenading her South Boston neighbors with a stirring rendition of ‘I’ve Been Working On The Railroad’ over and over and over again.  As the middle child (and only girl) of five children, she grew up in a household, which was as musical as it was noisy. With three brothers playing the trombone, one on clarinet and one mom playing the organ, it was quite an eclectic mix of sound!  

Her love of music was influenced by her mother Jean, an organist for over 40 years and her mother ( Nan ), a very talented semi-professional singer in her own right.

As Jean’s favorite music is the Big Band sound, so is the daughter’s.  ”I love the luscious arrangements and smooth vocals of the big band era, especially those ladies!  As a child, her family would sing in the car with mother and daughter harmonizing.” I think we must have passed Vicki & her family somewhere along the road!”

 Anne’s musical experience includes musical theatre productions in the local community as well as several years of summer stock in the New York area. In addition, she was a long time member of the award winning a cappella group, Harmonytryx ( New Jersey ), performing as both singer and vocal percussionist. She can be heard on their CD recordings entitled Harmonytryx and Fine Whine. 

But she is most proud to be singing diva-licious melodies with the fine ladies of Purely Vocals. “It’s been inspiring to direct this group of women, who had never performed

a cappella, and to watch their transformation over the past four years has been so rewarding. Not only musically, but in the friendships that we’ve formed with each other.”

 Anne lives with a menagerie of animals and two wonderful parents, Jean & Coley. 

“Thanks mom & dad, for everything………………….”  

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