Who are those awesomely talented young women, Region 4's newest champions? Cincinnati Sound is proud, proud, proud to introduce you to Teresa Whitaker (bass, 19 years), Elaine Whitaker (baritone, 23), Irene Whitaker (lead, 13)—yes, they're sisters—and Courtney Smalley (tenor, 18) of Fourtune Cookies Quartet.

All of them from Loveland, Ohio, Teresa and Courtney are now in college (University of Cincinnati and Thomas More, respectively), Irene is a student at St. Columban School, and Elaine has started a music therapy practice in the greater Cincinnati area.

They each began singing when they were young—at home, church, school, in the car, even on Queen City's and Cincinnati Sound's risers during summer vacations. Mary Ann Whitaker—Irene, Elaine, and Teresa's mom (who, Elaine says, "claims" she can't sing)—wrote lullabies and sang them to her girls when they were growing up. When Teresa was ten, she formed a quartet with Elaine and their cousins. Later, she snagged Courtney who had been singing her way through high school. However they came to it, they're all hooked on barbershop now.

So how did they feel during competition? Nervous. Excited. Confident. Happy. Irene liked how they all blended. Teresa loved their sound—full and resonant (natch!). Elaine seconded Courtney's summation: "I was happiest about the fact that we were able to have fun and not view the competition as just something to win!"

They're excited to take that winning sound to the Sweet Adelines International Competition in Houston. They plan to work hard, learn and improve, buy beautiful dresses (woot!), meet new friends, sing their hearts out, and, of course, win.

They know Region 4 will be cheering them on. As will all the people who are nearest and dearest to these young women. Their families. Their friends. Their special shout-out's: CSC member and long-time quarteter Nancy Werden (Aunt Nancy) and CSC Director Lynn Hartmuth.

Congratulations, Fourtune Cookies! Cincinnati Sound is "four"tunate to have you be part of us.

---By Libby McCord

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