Musical Director Jordan Travis
The founding artistic director of Harbourtown Sound in 2003, Jordan Travis is the guiding force behind all we do. Music and teaching are his passions, especially vocal music.Jordan’s training led to a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from University of Toronto. While there, he studied with some of the finest teachers in vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, and choral conducting. A talented singer, decorated performer and impactful coach and educator, Jordan has provided workshops, coachings, and performances around the world including being on faculty for BinG Harmony College, BABS Music Director's Academy, Harmony College in Holland, the Association Of British Choral Directors, and Harmony University in Nashville.
Jordan is the founder of The JT Community and InstaChoir, two ventures that encourage and coach all comers to become better singers and choral leaders. He is also the artistic director of A Cappella Showcase, an International Championship women's chorus, and the Golden Horseshoe Choruses, daytime a cappella choruses for both men and women.
During the pandemic restrictions in 2020/2021, Jordan’s value to our chorus showed itself to an even greater degree, as he rallied us around weekly, virtual rehearsals, and led us in several projects and challenges, such as a virtual Christmas Show, Home for the Holidays, a Singing Valentines endeavour, and our 2021 Virtual Spring Show.
Married to Liz, with two daughters, Emily and Dorothy, Jordan’s whole family is deeply involved with music.
Performance Director Rob Ross
Robert Ross got his Barbershop start back in high school, singing in a quartet in the Kiwanis Music Festival in London, Ontario. Unaware that barbershop was an option as a musical outlet after high school, Robert was employed by “It’s Showtime Productions” and was a member of their N*Sync cover band. Music has always been a passion and has become a mainstay in his life. Roberts’ work life moved him to Toronto, at that point he knew he was going to audition for and sing with the Toronto Northern Lights, and has done so for more than 15+ years. Robert serves as the head performance coach for the Northern Lights and has won numerous international medals with the chorus including Gold in 2013. Robert has performed all over the world including China, Sweden, Germany, England, The Netherlands, USA, and Canada. He is the Bass of Ripple Effect, the three time Ontario District MBHA Quartet Champion and the 2018 3rd place World Mixed Quartet Champion. While most recently becoming the first Ontario District Mixed Quartet Champion in 2019. And Ontario District representatives to the BHS international contest in 2022. Robert is also the assistant director of the Simcoe Gentlemen of Harmony, and serves as the VP Youth-in-Harmony for the Ontario district of the BHS. He also serves on the board of directors for Sing Canada Harmony. Robert is proud to say he is now the Performance Director to the incredible Harbourtown Sound.
Robert is a sought after coach for Quartets and Choruses all over the globe, and is the 2018 winner of the Larry Dale Coach Of The Year Award. He enjoys working with all levels of performers to use their own organic feelings to build genuine, heartfelt, and believable performances, allowing them the chance to honour their music and to take the audiences on an emotional journey. Robert has achieved a major goal in barbershop by becoming and currently is a Performance Judge for the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Lead Section Leader Ben Sproule
Ben Sproule has been singing for most of his life, and has been in barbershop since 2011. He has been a lead section leader for Harbourtown Sound since 2016. Ben received a bachelor's degree in computer science with a minor in music from University of Guelph in 2022. He has sung in many other groups, including The After Party Quartet, University of Guelph Chamber Choir, Guelph Chamber Choir, and the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir. Ben also does custom a cappella arrangements and learning tracks in his free time. He works as a software developer in Waterloo, Ontario.
Co-Lead Section Leader Amy Patterson
Amy Patterson is the Associate Director of A Cappella Showcase, and is Co-Lead Section Leader with Harbourtown Sound. She is a certified Singing Judge and the Singing Category Specialist in Harmony, Incorporated, and travels throughout Canada and the US as a judge and coach. Amy has served on the faculties for Harmony College West (Ontario), HIVE (Harmony Inc Virtual Education), and Harmony University (New Orleans, LA). Her most recent project is as a Musical Director in Young Voices, instilling young lives with the joy of singing. Amy sings Bass in Sapphire quartet, who placed 2nd in their first area contest in 2024. Sapphire is excited to make their Ontario District contest debut in Hamilton this October. They are proud to be members of both Harmony, Inc. and the Barbershop Harmony Society.
When not singing or coaching, Amy is an educator in the Waterloo District School Board specializing in French Language Instruction and Music.
Tenor Section Leader Nathan Shami
I've been singing with the Harbourtown Sound since 2015 and honoured to be Tenor Section Leader since 2022. I live in Guelph and I'm currently a Lab Manager at the University there. Music keeps me sane! My wife Danielle and I just welcomed our first baby in Jul 2024.I come by Barbershopping from my dad Bob, who directs a chorus in Sault Ste. Marie ON.
Baritone Section Leader John Wilke
I have been a barber shop singer since 1982 when I joined the Royal City Ambassadors of Guelph, ON. I have sung in a number of choruses and many quartets over the years. I joined Hamilton Harbourtown Sound in December of 2004 and have been the baritone section lead for a number of years. I still sing in two other choruses and a mixed quartet aptly named "Mix Dup". I live in Guelph and since retiring as an airline captain in 2001, I have kept myself busy by serving on a few charity and corporate boards.
