Queen City Groove Information

Queen City Groove was founded in July, 2011. Our members, many of whom have been singing together for years, are executives, moms, dads, musicians, performers, postal workers, pet lovers - all brought together to continue the tradition upon which Queen City Groove was founded: music and fun! Doug Roaten (Tenor) is originally from Virginia Beach and has lived in and around the Charlotte area since 1977. He has been married for 24 years and thanks his wife Dawn for her encouragement and support of his passion. Having sung everything from Opera to Jazz and Madrigals to Rock, Doug also has a strong musical theatre background. He has performed solo, with bands, and in groups, in VA and NC and has worked with the likes of Judy Collins and Bobby McFerrin. Doug is very happy to be returning to his musical roots in a cappella music and to be singing and working with the other talented members and friends in Queen City Groove. Elizabeth Boney (Soprano) grew up in nearby Burlington, NC, playing piano and singing in church, and joined her first choral ensemble in 7th grade. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Music-Vocal Performance degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has performed in musicals, plays, and church services throughout North Carolina, and has worked with groups such as Carolina Voices and Theatre Charlotte. Although a classically trained soprano, Elizabeth loves everything from opera to R&B, rap, southern gospel, Broadway, and pop. Elizabeth resides in Belmont, NC with her 3 biggest fans: husband, Jon, son, Bruce, and daughter, Vera. Elizabeth is thrilled to be making music with her QCG friends. Ivan Edwards (Baritone/Bass) is originally from Lumberton, NC and has lived in the Charlotte area since 1995. Ivan had a great love for performing at a very young age. He cut his teeth on the southern sounds of gospel music in area bands, but through the years, he expanded his repertoire to include a wide range of musical styles as he studied guitar, piano, and voice. As a vocal performance major at UNC-Chapel Hill, he concentrated on classical music and opera. Ivan, who also arranges and composes music, continues to perform everything from musical theatre and opera to jazz and R&B. Ivan is excited to be a part of Charlotte's newest a cappella group, Queen City Groove! Nadia Shutkufski (Alto) has been a performer, arranger, and die-hard a cappella fan for the past 10 years. This Cape Cod native was introduced to a cappella back in high school, where she sang with both a mixed and an all-female group, and she hasn't stopped since. In college, Nadia sang with The Cocktails, University of South Carolina's group of vocal vixens. During her time there, she directed the group as they recorded two full length studio albums and went on to perform in several national competitions. She firmly believes in the wise words of Andy Bernard - "Literally every song is better a cappella" - and she hopes you do too! Although she has lived in the Queen City for a short time, she's ecstatic to have found a great group of singing partners here. Check out her website, sweetsoundsacappella.com. Robert Burns (Vocal Percussion/Bariton) is originally from Philadelphia, PA. He has been singing in various college a cappella groups for the last 10 years, including the University of Georgia's Accidentals. Favorite genres include classic rock, R&B, and anything with acoustic guitar. His voice can't quite decide if it wants to be tenor or bass, but regardless, he's got a strong affinity for all things music. Robert enjoys the camaraderie of a cappella, and loves organizing large-scale music events. In his free time, he salsa dances and shoots photography. Jess Lawrence (Tenor) first discovered a cappella in high school, with his chorus. But after singing in two barbershop quartets, singing in a small men's ensemble, and directing/arranging/singing in his college a cappella group, it's been ingrained in his life ever since. Originally from Raleigh, he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina, in the hopes of one day designing and engineering roller coasters. During his college career, he led his college group, Cockappella, through their first competition and assisted with recording their first album. Jess is new to the Charlotte area and is absolutely thrilled and honored to have been accepted into a talented group of singers so quickly. If you see him, smile nicely and give him chocolate. Erin Fox (Alto) grew up in Elon, NC and recently moved to the Charlotte area. The daughter of two talented musicians, Erin has an inherent passion for music and has enjoyed performing with various vocal, theatre, and instrumental ensembles from an early age. She was a founding member of her college a cappella group, the UNC Greensboro Sapphires, and she is so excited to have found a new a cappella home with Queen City Groove! Erin lives in uptown Charlotte with her wonderful husband Jason and rescue dog Zoe, who patiently put up with weekend quests to DIY something and find the perfect latte.