Un-contest - The Captivating Holly Saulou

Today we spotlight someone who changed the game for me personally - Holly Saulou. I am terrible at remembering timelines, so honestly, I can’t tell you the year, but it was my first regional contest… I can’t remember if it was the year that Peace Arch (my chorus of origin) sat out, or if it was the year after… but really none of that matters. What matters is that Gateway Chorus was on stage under the direction of Marlene Greenough and I could NOT TAKE MY EYES OFF one front row dancer. The level of performance from this blond sensation was simply captivating, entrancing, and inspirational. I became a silent fangirl of that dancer who I found out to be Holly. Holly made the contest for me. She gave me something to work towards (that kind of dedicated performance), and she became the one I looked for on stage every single year. When I came back after a leave, I noticed that sadly Holly was missing from the front-row formations. I looked at every face on every row… desperately seeking Holly. Let me tell you when 2018 rolled around and Holly was back on the front row, right where she was made to be, well contest was made.

Let’s learn a bit more about Holly shall we?

Holly has been a member of Sweet Adelines since 1991 and a member of three choruses in that time; Canadian Showtime in Ottawa (R16), London Chorus (briefly – R2) and Gateway in Edmonton R26). She was born and raised in Ottawa and joined the best in the west in 2001! She has sung and competed as a lead, bari, and now bass. Holly has been a choreographer in two international competing choruses and a member of multiple quartets through the years including a three-time Region 26 Medalist quartet member with Thumbs Up 1.0. Currently, Holly is singing with Novice Quartet WHOA! who would’ve taken to the stage for their first time this year.

She is a member of Gateway’s music team and “choreo girl”, has been a past bass section leader, past assistant director in Region 16, DCP program, Past Region 26 REF Coaching Faculty (prior to her time away – and she hopes to return someday!) and has run Region 26 contests and fall workshops. Maybe a few other things here and there. She’s a proud member of Gateway Chorus and says “I’m so thankful to have found this #JGateway family, so thrilled they welcomed me back home, and that Lisa, Dawn, and the rest of Gateway had a plan for her.

In real life Holy is the Executive Director of Telecommunications for the Province of Alberta, a single mom to Hailey who spent her 9th week of life on stage and doing choreo in the Region 26 Family Chorus, an avid outdoor enthusiast and general lover of life however you choose.

“If all the world’s a stage, who the heck wrote the script for 2020?!? I know so many of us are wearing too many hats, and running 24 hours a day at mach 12 with our hair on fire whilst forgetting our pants on video conferences…and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But just remember…we’re Sweet Adelines…and we love to accessorize! So bring on the hats, and we'll create costumes! Together.”

Holly would have been emceeing the Show of Champions tonight, but instead, we have her here, on video, sharing what only Holly can share