Denise VanDyken

Denise joined Sweet Adelines in 1980 and since then has been an asset to the organization.  She sang for two years and realized it was time to add directing to her talents and she has been a front line director ever since. Denise is also the lead in the award winning quartet Java Jive, who earned a fifth place medal in the 2007 Region 3 Quartet competition. 

Soon after taking over the role of director for Mid-Lakes chorus, Denise became a certified director with Sweet Adeline's International and in 1995 she joined the Grand Rapids Chorus. It didn't take long to recognize her abilities and over time, Denise's responsibilities began to include vocal lessons and assistant director. By 2005 Denise officially became an Associate Director for the Grand Rapids Chorus and regularly assists during rehearsals, including weekly vocal warm ups and duo directing/coaching with Director, Ann Jarchow. 

Denise was a music major at Western Michigan University where she earned a masters degree in K-12 Guidance Counseling.  In addition to singing and directing, Denise's musical background includes Violin, with which she toured Europe and performed with various orchestras and symphonies.

Denise's talents go far beyond the stage but she does truly shine in the spotlight.  The grace and beauty with which she directs her choruses have helped her to achieve the attention and respect that she regularly emits to others.