Congratulations to Leanne Wheeler - Sweet Adelines New Zealand Service to Young Women in Harmony Award recipient for 2025!
Leanne first became involved in YWIH in 2016 when she volunteered for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional YSIH convention, assisting with catering and looking after the judges. The following year Leanne was in charge of catering at the regional competition and continued this for about 4 years.
During this time Leanne began barbershop coaching at Fraser High School where she assisted with a YWIH chorus and both a YWIH and YMIH quartet. In 2020 Leanne became the YWIH coordinator for the region and this was a 2-year term until 2022. She continued assisting with the Waikato regional and also the national conventions through this period.
In 2022 Leanne assisted Putaruru College with a view to setting up a barbershop group there.
Since 2020 Leanne has been on the YSIH Trust and management teams and has been a YWIH judge then a shadow judge when the judging criteria changed to the BHNZ format.
This contribution to YWIH has all been on top of her music leadership commitments as a baritone section leader and member of the Waikato Rivertones music team, her role as Education Coordinator for Region 35 for the past three years, a trustee on the Prue Blythe Memorial Trust, and her music teaching career.
Leanne has made a wonderful and highly valued contribution to YWIH for nearly a decade at both a regional and national level. Leanne is passionate about music education and channels this into ensuring young singers find the joy of a cappella.
Congratulations Leanne!
