FACULTY

Judy Pozsgay is a visual performance coach and choreographer based in Seattle, WA.  Her innovative and award-winning visual plans and performance packages have been showcased at multiple Sweet Adeline International and Barbershop Harmony Society competitions at both the regional and international levels. Since discovering the wonderful world of SAI in 1994, Judy has served at the chorus level as choreographer, artistic director and assistant director.   Her talents are also shared at both the Regional (Education Faculty for Region 26) and International levels (Showmanship Judge, International Faculty) of the Sweet Adelines organization. In addition, Judy is a Certified Performance Judge in the Barbershop Harmony Society. Not being one to simply create and teach, Judy also loves to sing and perform and has been a 14-time SAI International Quartet Top 10 finalist (past quartets Unplugged and Mojo) and is the "non-Diva" bass of the 2017 Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champions, Frenzy.

TESTIMONIALS

• I had the privilege of team-coaching Harborlites with Judy Pozsgay this past weekend and I just wanted to let you know what a triple threat you have in her. She is not only a marvellous singer/performer and creative choreographer, she's an outstanding educator. For a number of years now, I've been a friend and sometime coach. I'm now officially a Judy Pozsgay fan. (Dale Syverson, Master Director, Rich-Tone Chorus, 2009 1st Place International Medalist
  
  
• I contacted Judy to coach a chorus that I had just taken over as their new Director. Being new, I was craving a supportive person who could not only educate the chorus, but take their Director to a new level. Judy was the perfect coach for accomplishing this. Her energy, enthusiasm, and positivity that she injected into the chorus was at a very high level, and yet she kept in mind the abilities of the chorus vocally, and taught us to enhance our performance both visually and vocally. Fabulous for our small chorus. At our next regionals, the chorus improved by 116 points! I also worked with Judy as a Choreographer for the Greater Auckland Chorus. Our chorus has been fortunate enough to receive the "Judy Injection" on many an occasion, including just recently before our regional contest, which boosted our chorus to the A- level. Judy works well with Directors, Choreographers, and chorus members alike. She has excellent communication skills and is very much a "people person". Judy also coached my quartet before regionals this year and gave us that boost of confidence we needed in just the right way. She kept us grounded and focused, and yet full of energy. A great balance of coaching skills. Judy brings out the true performer in us all, keeping all aspects of the barbershop craft tied into her lessons. I would not hesitate to book Judy at any opportunity given. (Jocosa Lowe, Director and Choreographer, Greater Auckland Chorus)
  
  
• Judy has worked with my chorus both visually and vocally and her energy and expertise has brought us to a new level of performance! She is extremely creative and has excellent communication skills. She is one of the best mentors and coaches anywhere! (Chris Evans, Director, Prairie Gold Chorus)
  
  
• I have had the pleasure of being coached by Judy several times in a quartet and chorus setting, and most recently, as a director. Judy completely understands the integration of the music, the sound and the visual plan. This is apparent in her coaching – the music is in her moves and her body! Learning to sing and move “from the core” was transformational to our performance level, and her awesome energy is nothing short of inspirational. Judy is a coach that leaves no question about what she’s asking for; she is incredibly talented and tons of fun to work with!! (Anne Downtown Director, Westcoast Harmony Chorus)
  
  
• When Judy coached our quartet, Backbeat Street , she was energetic and professional. Her ability to integrate physical movements with vocal production was just the ticket our quartet needed to move to the next level. Judy has showmanship and style. I’d encourage everyone to have her work with their group right now.
  (Karen Leet Bass, Backbeat)
  
  
• Judy worked with my quartet in its early stages to help prepare us for competition. She worked with each member on singing skills, guided us collectively as we interpreted the message of the songs and worked with us on conveying it. She also helped us prepare to “take the stage” for contest and/or performance. In addition, Judy did some visual work with us to enhance our presence on the stage. She is very approachable and friendly. She is thorough in her instruction and draws on her performance and judging experience to teach, mold and encourage quartets, regardless of their level of experience. Judy is an outstanding performer and was equally helpful as a coach in all facets of performance. I highly recommend her. (Barry Knott, Baritone, Silver Chords quartet, 2006 BHS International 5th Place)
  
  
• Judy's coaching style is both energetic and warm. She focuses on singing and moving from the core. As she worked this concept with my chorus we found that not only were we singing with less tension but we were also moving with more of a unison look. Judy worked both vocal and visual techniques with us at the level we were at. Then she got specific about next level skills and work ethic - a real eye opener!
  Judy teaches in a clear easily understood way with amazing physicality and stamina. She'll get you stirred up and keep you moving the whole time she's with you. (Mary Hager, Director, Rhythm of the Rockies Chorus, Calgary, Alberta)
  
  
• Judy Pozsgay has been Lions Gate's choreographer and assistant director for the past 10 years. In that time she has developed into a highly creative and innovative choreographer and showmanship and vocal coach. Judy is a very high level singer, and she always keeps singing in mind when designing her visual plans. She works very well with Directors, both in advance and on the go, to ensure the musical plan always comes first. She is very flexible and spontaneous, as well as being a very detailed planner. Judy provides both front row and riser notes for the "left-brainers", and she also demonstrates everything beautifully, both vocally and visually.  Judy's work has been seen recently on the international stage ... Song of Atlanta's semifinals and some finals songs were choreographed by Judy.  And you have also seen Judy's choreography and coaching results with many other choruses from around the world... Greater Auckland Chorus, Westcoast Harmony Chorus, Pacific Sound Chorus, to name a few.  She is also a very successful quartet coach, having recently coached Martini before our debut on the international stage in Honolulu.  I highly recommend Judy as a coach and/or visual plan designer for any group in BHS or SAI. You won't be disappointed!  (Sandy Marron, Master Director 700, Lion's Gate Chorus. Queen of Harmony, Brava!)
  
  
• Judy is the most thorough visual coach I’ve ever worked with. She asked me many questions before she even began to design the plan. Then when the plan was presented it matched my plan for the MUSIC perfectly! By teaching through characterization and not “choreography” our singers “got it” much quicker. I see a long-time relationship with Judy and Houston Horizon Chorus! (Vickie Dennis Master Director, Houston Horizon Chorus, 2005 7th Place International Medalist)
  
  
• Judy's dynamic style and exceptional teaching skills has helped The City of Gardens Chorus on its journey to becoming a B+ chorus. Judy is easy to understand and always makes the learning fun. She not only helps to encourage the chorus to move with ease but also has a strong understanding of the barbershop style and how the music and choreography are tied together. Speaking from the Director's point of view, she is fun and always reassuring. Working with Judy is a pleasure. (Julie Smith, Master Director, City of Gardens Chorus, Victoria, BC)

• Judy Pozsgay It was almost as good as working with you in person!! Thanks for spending the evening with us. Such great information and inspiration. Let's do it again soon! (Scott Kvigne, Master Director, City of Lakes Chorus)
  
  
• Awesome Zoom rehearsal on Tuesday night, with special guest, the amazing Judy Pozsgay who spoke with us about the Showmanship category! So much good info! Our chorus theme for the evening was Sports Teams and our guest speaker was Judy Pozsgay. As a Showmanship Judge, she talked to us about the Showmanship category itself, evaluated our last competition performance, compared it to other chorus performances and gave us realistic goals to attain between now and our next competition. It was a very positive, helpful and informative presentation that we truly appreciated! (Queen Charlotte Chorus)
  
  
• Judy Pozsgay was amazing! She prepared a Performance/Showmanship presentation totally geared to my chorus and our latest scoresheets. Great info including a PowerPoint that she gave us and she was very positive and uplifting. My chorus loved it! I highly recommend Judy as you will not be disappointed! Judy, we LUUUHVED having you! Excellent presentation on performance and showmanship. Recommend HIGHLY! (Jill LaVoie Watson, Grand Traverse Show Chorus)
  
  
• Judy Pozsgay joined Rhythm of the Rockies for a session on zoom. The whole chorus loved her presentation. Not only did we learn about requirements in the showmanship category but the steps we need to take to improve our performance in the category. Judy was so prepared with our latest scoresheets and performances and had the chorus engaged for the full hour. She is an awesome presenter. I’d highly recommend this presentation with Judy. (Jo-Anne Killips, Rhythm of the Rockies)
  
  
• Another amazing coaching session with Judy today!! I highly encourage and recommend my SAI friends contact her for online lessons. She’s the bomb!! (Christy Hedrick)
  
  
• Judy Pozsgay Your class - Bass Symposium- was great! I took lots of screenshots - your info was very thorough & methodically obstructed! Thank you! >(Helen Giallombardo)
  
  
• Our 2020 GEC retreat was a memorable one for sure! We had an incredible weekend and learned so much from the incomparable Judy Pozsgay. (Lauren Kahn, Director, Greater Eugene Chorus)
  
  
• We had a blast....great instruction.....lots of AHA moments...can't wait to 'play' with all you gave us. Thanks Judy Pozsgay (Julie Smith)
  
  
• Pride of Portland Chorus sponsored an A.MAZ.ING session with Frenzy Quartet 's bass, Judy Pozsgay. Over 40 basses (and bass wannabees!) attended an hour-long session that was full of tips and tricks on how to be a great bass (because, after all, that's the best part, right?!?). We highly recommend it! Thanks, Judy, for the great class. (Pride of Portland Chorus)
  
  
• Thanks to the stay-at-home order, Diamond Jubilee Chorus had a education class with Judy Pozsgay through a virtual webinar on Exploring Showmanship Levels. Her presentation and knowledge of the showmanship category was outstanding! Judy educated us on the elements of showmanship, performance level guidelines, and characteristics of A, B and C level choruses. She gave us specific tools to help us improve both musically and physically. We plan to use her again in the future. If you haven’t had the opportunity to work with Judy, START now. Her virtual webinar was outstanding! (Diamond Jubilee Chorus)
  
  
• Thank you Judy for the awesome core alignment session with all the extra goodies you taught tonight. (2nd class with Diamond Jubilee)