Tony De Rosa

Tony De Rosa is a 36 year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society joining at the age of 7.  He grew up singing Barbershop harmony under his dad’s (“Papa Joe”) direction with choruses in Rochester, N.Y., and Polk County, Florida. His life was immersed in Barbershop harmony as he performed in his dad’s choruses, listened to his mom’s quartet, sang with his sister, Chris, in “The De Rosa 4”, and followed his favorite quartets, learning their songs and adding to his repertoire. He hit the International stage as a tenor, at age 12, with a memorable rendition of “Where the Angels Live,” sung by the “Cypress Chord Club.” Seven years later, after many appearances at International with District Championship quartets, he captured a gold medal (The youngest ever to win in the Barbershop Harmony Society at 19!) with the 1992 champs “Keepsake.” He attained this level again in 2000, repeating on the baritone part, as “PLATINUM” won the quartet championship. At present, Tony is the lead singer in the 2007 Gold medalist quartet “Max Q” (www.maxquartet.com), a distinctly artistic and talented foursome and feature storyline of the documentary movie, “American Harmony.” Beyond that, he is a part of “Main Street” (www.mainstreetqt.com), whose jump into competitive Barbershop has landed them in ‘top 5’ at International competition the last six years. Main Street became International Quartet Champions at the 2017 International Convention in Las Vegas!   

Tony has years of Barbershop directing experience.  In his first venture, he continued his father’ s legacy by directing the Tampa Heralds of Harmony to International competition nine years in a row (1994 – 2002).  He currently directs two Barbershop choruses between the Barbershop Harmony Society and Sweet Adelines International.  Since 2007, he has directed the Toast of Tampa Show Chorus (SAI/www.toastoftampa.org) from Tampa, FL, and in 2012, Tony ‘came home’ to direct the Heralds of Harmony also based in Tampa, FL.  Under his leadership, both groups have competed at the International level for their perspective societies with the highest finish coming from the ladies as they finished 3rd in 2015 while the Heralds finished 9th in their International convention in 2015.  With great appreciation, his Barbershop life is full!!!!

Tony lives in Winter Garden, Florida, and works as a freelance vocalist and music director. He currently serves as Music Director for the Voices of Liberty at EPCOT, the "Dapper Dans" of Disneyworld at the Magic Kingdom, and as Vocal Director for “Finding Nemo the Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, along with vocal coaching for special events at Walt Disney World. Tony enjoys vocal and performance coaching for numerous Barbershop and Sweet Adelines choruses and quartets around the globe, as well as being a featured clinician for choral ensembles around the country. As an active demo and rehearsal CD producer (www.advocals.com), Tony has produced over 500 separate recording projects out of his home studio along with providing vocals for Hal Leonard Publishing, Walt Disney World, TM Studios, Jeff Arthur Productions, and the Imagination House. 

Those are Tony’s professional and musical “stats,” but his true pride and joy is his wife of 16 years, Jodi, and his family. Jodi and Tony met when they both sang with the “Voices of Liberty,” and they’ve shared some amazing and challenging musical moments since. Most important to Tony, they also share four terrific children: Alec and husband Eric, Kayla and husband Adam, Joseph, and the youngest, Sophia. Currently, he shares a quartet with Joseph and both younger children share the chorus experience standing on the risers with the Toast of Tampa and the Heralds of Harmony.  A new ‘DeRosa 4’  (Tony, Jodi, Joseph, and Sophia) has been heard to ring a chord or two as well. The recent addition of three grandbaby girls, Ella, Aubrey and Addison, has added even more joy to the family. That’ s right, he’ s a Grandfather! This family shares the blessings of strong faith in the Lord, extended-family fun, and a busy, but full life...loaded with music!