Our Directing Team
Darin Drown - Director
Darin, a second generation barbershopper, has taught music professionally for over 25 years and will begin his 15th year teaching choir at Grandview High School in Aurora, where he is Director of Vocal Music and Co-Coordinator of the Performing Arts Department. His choirs have consistently received the highest ratings at festivals throughout the United States and have been featured performers at the Colorado Music Educator’s Convention several times. He was named Teacher of the Year in 2 different schools, as well as a District Teacher of the Year.
Having been with various quartets and choruses throughout his barbershop career, Darin has for many years sung baritone with Storm Front, the 2010 Men’s International Champion Quartet. He is a member of the 120-man Sound of the Rockies Chorus, which he directed for 15 years, leading them to 13 consecutive Rocky Mountain championships, 12 consecutive Top 10 International championships and 7 consecutive Top 4 International championships. In addition, Darin is a much sought after arranger of music and an international coach of men’s and women’s quartets and choruses, including Velvet Hills, which is excited to have him as its new director.
Past Director
Kathy Carmody
Kathy Carmody was the Velvet Hills director for over 18 years and was a member of Sweet Adelines International for 51 years. She was actively involved both in the musical and administrative sides of the organization locally, regionally, and internationally. She served on the International Board of Directors for 23 years, was International President twice, was distinguished as one of only four International Master Faculty Members, and in 2011 was awarded the Sweet Adelines International President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
A Master Director for over 20 years, Kathy led Velvet Hills to multiple regional championships and international finals. Directing, teaching, and coaching Sweet Adelines worldwide were Kathy's passions.
After retiring as the Velvet Hills Director in 2017, Kathy decided to practice what she had preaching for so many years, and became a very happy singing member on the Velvet Hills risers. She competed with the chorus in the May 2019 Region 8 competition where the chorus took 2nd place and earned a wild card spot in the 2020 Sweet Adelines International Competition in Louisville, KY. Kathy lost her fight with cancer in August 2019 and will be sadly missed by all.
Kathy Carmody was the Velvet Hills director for over 18 years and was a member of Sweet Adelines International for 51 years. She was actively involved both in the musical and administrative sides of the organization locally, regionally, and internationally. She served on the International Board of Directors for 23 years, was International President twice, was distinguished as one of only four International Master Faculty Members, and in 2011 was awarded the Sweet Adelines International President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
A Master Director for over 20 years, Kathy led Velvet Hills to multiple regional championships and international finals. Directing, teaching, and coaching Sweet Adelines worldwide were Kathy's passions.
After retiring as the Velvet Hills Director in 2017, Kathy decided to practice what she had preaching for so many years, and became a very happy singing member on the Velvet Hills risers. She competed with the chorus in the May 2019 Region 8 competition where the chorus took 2nd place and earned a wild card spot in the 2020 Sweet Adelines International Competition in Louisville, KY. Kathy lost her fight with cancer in August 2019 and will be sadly missed by all.