The baritone of Sweet Adelines International 2003 Quartet Champions, Swinglish Mix, Patty Hawley-Pennycook grew up a barbershop brat in Kentucky.  She always attended barbershop rehearsals and conventions with her father, Charlie, a member of the 7-time International men’s chorus champions, The Louisville Thoroughbreds. Louisville also had many men’s championship quartets, so she feels she got her barbershop “chops” singing tags with the guys from quartets like Bluegrass Student Union, Second Edition, Interstate Rivals, Revival, The Harrington Brothers, Michigan Jake and Gas House Gang.

Patty joined the women to sing in the early 80’s and is a 25-year Sweet Adeline member, singer, lead section leader, front row member, music team member, quartet champion, assistant director and now chorus director, something she’s been heading for all her life.  The four girls of Swinglish Mix found each other and started singing together in 1995, and they have happily performed all over the United States plus Canada, Sweden, and New Zealand for the past 15 years. Between the four of them, not only did they compete for six years and win the International Quartet competition, they also had ten children and released two CD’s during their time singing together, all while living on two different continents. 

Patty has sung in four different choruses, Derby City Chorus, Pride of Kentucky Chorus, Verdugo Hills Chorus in L.A., and Pacific Empire for the last five years.  A Sweet Adeline Mom introduced Patty to her son, they eventually married and Patty now lives in Napa with her fun wine salesman husband David and sweet daughter Carly.  She started her new chapter as Pacific Empire Chorus Director in 2009. Patty is enjoying the love and enjoyment of performing barbershop music along with these California girls in such a fabulous International level chorus.  More information about Patty, Swinglish Mix, and Pacific Empire Chorus may be found at www.swinglishmix.com and www.pacificempire.org.