Xanna Williamson is Lone Star’s Director.  She joined Sweet Adelines in July of 1993 with the Texas Tradition Chorus, which merged with two other choruses in 1995 to become Lone Star.  Xanna was named Choreographer in 1996, asked to be an Assistant Director in 1997, and became Director in January of 2005.  Xanna became a Master Director, Sweet Adelines’ highest directing achievement, in March of 2009.  She has also been a Region 10 Faculty member since 2005, teaching classes at regional workshops and coaching quartets from all over the region.

Xanna graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a double major in history and math.  Her musical training began early at age 6 with piano lessons for several years.  Singing with church choirs, performing in a hand bell choir, playing clarinet in band from junior high to college, and directing her church’s children’s choir were many of the musical pursuits she had growing up in Dallas.  Currently, she is an officer of the Bank of Texas, working in their Energy Department as a Senior Energy Analyst. 

She started an internet discussion group for Sweet Adeline choreographers after seeing a need for choreographers to be able to communicate between workshops.  Xanna has been honored numerous times by her chorus, including two “Sweet Adeline of the Year” awards, named the 2002 “Sweet Adeline Extraordinaire” and selected to be Lone Star’s representative on the 2000 and 2006 Regional “Wall of Fame.” 

Susie Murphy
Assistant Director

Susie Murphy was asked to serve as Assistant Director of Lone Star Chorus in September 2005. After having recently completed the certification program, she has earned the designation of Certified Director from Sweet Adelines International. Besides her role as Assistant Director, Susie continues to function as Lead Section Leader, a position which she has held since 2001, and she also enjoys being a front row dancer.

Although Susie eventually earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington in geology, she entered college as a music major; she completed many college credits in musical training and participated in musical theatrical performances prior to changing her major. Born into a musical family—both of her parents were singers, and her dad was also an accomplished pianist and organist—Susie’s own musical training began with piano lessons at the age of 5. She became the church organist at the Episcopalian church her family attended at the age of 10, and was active in school and church choirs.

Prior to her becoming a member of Lone Star in 2000, Susie was a 10-year member of Rich-Tone Chorus, earning three regional gold medals and three International Gold Medals during that time. Her Sweet Adeline roots go back to 1980, when she first joined Westside Edition Chorus in Fort Worth. In 1986 she joined the newly chartered Texas Tradition Chorus—which would eventually merge with two other choruses to become Lone Star. In each of her choruses, Susie has served on the music staff, been a front row member, been active in quarteting, and has chaired a variety of committees. Her quartet highlights include placing 5th in regional competition in 1990 (Joint Venture Quartet).