Our Director
Drew Kirkman, from Terre Haute, Indiana, became the new music director of The Academy in February of 2005. His barbershop claim-to-fame happened in 2001, singing tenor with that year's International Champion Quartet, Michigan Jake.
Drew started barbershopping in 1991, having been brought to a chapter meeting by two other members of the cast of Grease that he was performing in that summer. Within a month, he was a member of the Terre Haute Banks of the Wabash Chorus and his first quartet, Four Hire, singing lead. He cut his teeth listening to great quartets like Interstate Rivals and Bluegrass Student Union. Soon, he developed the urge to sing tenor, via many nudges from his friends, and never looked back. His other quartets include Roadmasters and FlashPoint, which finished 35th at International in 1997.
Among his chorus duties over the years are Assistant Director, Music Vice-President, Section Leader, and Board Member. Drew is also a much sought-after coach of choruses and quartets.
Drew moved to Tampa in 2001 to court and marry his wife Chris in January of 2002. They have a daughter, Kylie Hope, and reside in Lakeland, FL.
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