By Sheryl Kelper
WILMINGTON, NC — After 47 years – on and off – as the director of the barbershop Azalea Coast Chorus of Wilmington, Joan Obernesser has retired. On April 30, Obernesser officially passed the baton to the new director, Jennifer Sugerik. Sugerik is a music teacher and choral director at Ashley High School and the music/director/ organist at the Episcopal Church of the Servant in Wilmington.
Obernesser’s leadership in the Azalea Coast Chorus has been remarkable. She has intermittently directed the chorus since the late 1970’s while earning her degree in music from the UNCW in 2006. She led the chorus in numerous Sweet Adeline Region 14 competitions, entertained a multitude of audiences in local nursing facilities and assisted living centers, directed a highly successful public show at City Stage in 2010, performed for the Wilmington as well as the Leland Newcomer’s Clubs, and offered the choral Azalea Coast services for both corporate and social media events, such as the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in downtown Wilmington, the Arboretum open house, and the Festival of Trees at Ashley this past Christmas season.
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