The Notables

Biographies of Members

Melissa Albers has been a member of The Notables for almost four years. She says, "I sing alto or second soprano or soprano; obviously I am confused! I really enjoy singing with The Notables because of its professionalism. I have been singing in choruses since third grade. I have sung in my church choir, St. Michael's Episcopal Church in El Segundo since 1985. I love musicals and was in a few during my younger years, including Oklahoma!; South Pacific; No, No, Nanette; Godspell; and The King and I. My big solo was singing 'Good Morning Starshine' from Hair.  I have been teaching nursery school for 25 years and am now the director of St Michael's Children's Center in El Segundo. Teaching is my vocation, but singing is my passion."

Nancy Arnold has been a member of The Notables since 2002. She spent most of her career on the other side of musical productions by directing children's choirs and musical shows for the public schools. During those years she sang in various singing ensembles and choirs and appeared in various theatrical productions, mostly for the Redondo Beach Parks and Recreation Department, including Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Fiddler on the Roof. She is now happily retired and happily signing in The Notables as well as participating in local theatrical productions.

David Hattrup, a transplant from Portland, OR, joined The Notables in 1999. Although this is his first choral experience, David had performed in theater productions during high school and had sung with the choir at Loyola Marymount University’s Sacred Heart Chapel. Not willing to give up his day job, David currently works as a software engineer at Raytheon.

Mary Hornickel joined The Notables in early 2001, having sung previously with several choruses and choirs. She sang bass as a member of Sweet Adelines for many years, and baritone in a barbershop quartet "The Sweets 'N Lows" in her native Brooklyn, NY. Professionally, Mary has worked at NBC, ABC, HBO, and MGM; she is currently an IT [Information Technology] Specialist at The Aerospace Corporation. Mary and her husband John D'Isacco are active parishioners at American Martyrs Church (Mary leads the Historical Ministry and provides tours of the church), and they share a love of gardening.

Paula Kelley joined the Notables in 1997.  Originally from Boston, she has been involved in theater since childhood.  While on the east coast, she was a member of Scituate Theatre founded by Peter Tolan, writer of Analyze This, where she appeared as Lily Garland in On The Twentieth Century, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Young Belle in Little Me, Nicky in Sweet Charity, Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner.  Paula was also a member of Warner Bros. recording artist FarrenHeit and opened for the band Aerosmith.  In California her roles include Pitti-Sing in the South Bay Light Opera Society's production of The Mikado, and Meg in Manhattan Beach Community Church's production of Brigadoon.  Paula has also appeared as a guest soloist with the Ellis-Orpheus Men's Chorus, which was also directed by Randall Schwalbe.  She is very honored to be a member of such a talented group.

Dale Korman appeared in the chorus in many summer musicals at the Redlands Bowl for 15 years before moving back to the South Bay.  She has been in five productions with Prime Time Players.  She is an Educational Therapist in Torrance, and often presents drama workshops to classrooms.  She loves to dance and has truly enjoyed singing with The Notables.

Howard Korman says, "I sang with the Case [Institute of Technology] Glee Club in my freshman year of college and was lucky enough to visit northern Europe on a singing tour.  I began my barbershop singing avocation with a small group at TRW (8 to 12 men) called the "Astronotes" and sang with them for eight years.  After moving to Redlands in 1979, I joined the Barbershop Society and sang with chapters in the Inland Empire for 15 years.  Singing bass, after singing lead for 21 years, is a real kick.  I have been in three Redlands Bowl shows and in four Prime-Time Players productions at the Norris Theater.   I also sing with the Temple Menorah [in Torrance] Choir.  I joined The Notables in 1998 and have been 'having a ball' with the group ever since."