BlackJaQ Blurb's

Jess Bullen ...... Tenor

I was introduced to ‘barbershop’ by my fabulous "Aunty Jen" and became a Perth Harmony Chorus member in 1996, absolutely hooked! I began my quartet journey in 2000 with “Mischief Down Under”. At my first regional convention (Perth) we won the quartet championship and along with Perth Harmony Chorus, went on to compete internationally at the 2001 Portland Convention. 2004 brought new opportunities; I joined the 'Director in Training' Program and shortly thereafter was invited to join the PHC team as an Assistant Director. I also became the Chorus Quartet Co-ordinator and started the new year singing with BlackJaQ!

Since I can remember I have always loved music! I began singing in cover bands and at weddings and….. then……………there was Barbershop!

I enjoy being a part of the Barbershop Community, including Perth's own Men in Harmony chorus. The challenges, education and lasting friendships gained in this 'hobby' are very rewarding. I work as a part-time vocal tutor; teaching and training both individuals and choral groups and probably wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support I get from my family. Shayne and our three beautiful kids, Bryson 8, Jarrad 6 and Sarah, who turns four this November. (A Sweet Adeline in the making!) Quartet rehearsals at home can become rather interesting when three kids join in, singing all kinds of weird and wonderful notes! They have such perfect timing, not to mention pitch!! ”BlackJaQ" is a very exciting quartet to sing with. We continue challenging ourselves (and each other) This year has brought lots of different performances and opportunities our way and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them! Especially our debut CD “The Nearness of You”. Carole, Kali and Linda are three extraordinary women and great friends.

YES, I’m still looking forward to many years of performing together! “Did I say "21" at least!?!?

Hmmmm… Lindy, you may not be the only one needing a Zimmer frame J

Linda Nuttridge ...... Baritone

I’d known about Perth Harmony Chorus for quite a while, but it was never the ‘right time’ for me to check them out. Finally in 1994, Lesley Warren (family member) convinced me to at least come and have a listen……and…..12 years later, here I am. In that time I’ve held several chorus roles, the last being 3 years as Visual & Performance chair.

The journey into quarteting has been fun, having sung with two others, Singapation , Fever, and now BlackJaQ.

Being in a quartet brings so many wonderful opportunities, and the knowledge that you gain is amazing. For me, I get to sing with 3 very talented women. I got to stand in “Da Room” studios for 7 hours making our debut CD, and came out sane!!, and then got to bring home another medal this year from Brisbane.

The fun, the laughter, the tears, are all part of what makes us grow, and traveling the same road are all our wonderful families( who by the way become part of yours) without whose support we’d be lost. Husband Owen continues to encourage me and turn a deaf ear when I’m learning those wonderful baritone notes!! and my Dad ( Granpa John to all) at almost 89 is still one of our biggest fans……so if the gene pool is on my side…..21 years looks do-able!! Eeekkk that’s 2027.

Hi! I am a ‘nearly 50 year old’ Sweet Adeline who started her musical career playing piano at around 10 years of age and went on to gain a music scholarship to Perth Modern High School where I learnt clarinet and started to sing!

I spent a very enjoyable year learning double bass along the way and in 1996; Sweet Adelines beckoned in the form of Rainbow Harmony Chorus, in Albany, Western Australia.

I joined this chorus, thrilled at what I had found! Within a year I was President and within 2 years, I was Director! I was hooked! I completed my DCP through SAI and then had the thrilling opportunity to sing with Perth Harmony as a dual member (winning my first gold medal!) in 2002.

I was very privileged to sing with three beautiful ladies, Jan, Jill and Wendy in my first quartet “Affinity” and we competed at three regional conventions.

Later in 2002 I returned to live in Perth and joined the mighty Perth Harmony Chorus as an Assistant Director. I completed a two-year term with the PHC Management Team from 2003 – 2005 and in October 2004, I was privileged for a second time to join three other gorgeous ladies, Linda, Jess and Carole in a new quartet called BlackJaQ!

Our first time competing together, we were thrilled to win the gold and we have just returned from our second convention and are equally thrilled to have won the silver. The standard of quartets in Australia is fantastic and we had a ball catching up with lots of our friends in Brisbane.

I work full time, study (BA – Psych/Women’s’ Studies) as an external student, have two kids (Stefan and Tessa), that I adore, am blessed with a great partner and have met so many amazing people and been to places I never dreamed I would, because of my association with Sweet Adelines. I can’t wait to learn more and grow stronger in this great art form that we are so lucky to be a part of and I look forward to many more years of making new friends and singing barbershop harmony.