Our Directors
Director
David Smotzer

David Smotzer is a 30 year member of Barbershop Harmony Society. He began his Barbershop career at the age of thirteen and since then has held every major chorus office as well as earning more than ten international top five medals as a Chours/ Quartet singer and director. Dave is one of the few who has had the honor of directing choruses in both the Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines at the International level competition. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest chorus director at that time to medal directing at an International competition.
David has been front-line director with: Southern Gateway Chorus, San Antonio Chordsman, Shenago Valley/ Penn-Ohio Chorus, City of Flags Region 17 Sweet Adelines and most recently, the Independence Chapter of the Barbership Harmony Society.
David majored in music education and political science at Bowling Green State University where he studied under the tutlege of the esteemed R.D. Mathey. He was the 1981 recipent of the AIC College Scholarship. In 1984, he won the International Gold Medal honors singing tenor with The Rapscallions. He has served on the music staff for Apple Corps, Harmony College and SAI's Preserving Harmony program. He has been honored at JAD Director of the Year, and is a member of the JAD Hall of Fame. He most recently directed the "Men of Independence" to their first District Chorus Championship in April of 2010.
David continues to coach vocal production, interpretation, music and sound for BHS and SAI quartets and choruses.
Director Emertius
Jean Knight

Jean has been a Sweet Adeline for 40 years. As the founder of Lake Ridge Legacy, she directed the chorus for 28 years. In 1975, she began organizing a group of women in the Lorain County area who had an interest in singing barbershop harmony. With help from her quartet and a few other friends, the Lake Ridge Chorus received its charter in October 1976. Jean is an approved arranger in the Sweet Adelines International Music Arrangers Program. She is also a retired elementary vocal music teacher, having worked in the Sandusky and Elyria City Schools for 29 years. Jean enjoys reading, playing the piano, and traveling.