Rhythm and Pearls sings the ever-popular and beloved music of the girl groups. Our high-energy show features iconic songs from The Andrews Sisters to The Supremes to The Spice Girls and beyond. We'll make your event an occasion to remember, delighting your audience with classic harmonies and sassy dance moves. Go to "Watch" to see us in action, or "Listen" to hear a few favorite selections.
So who are we? We are Allison, Barbara, and Sara. We live and rehearse in Newton, MA. We love singing, each other, and our husbands and kids (is this where we add the one about "not necessarily in that order"?) and we also love baseball, Italy, and Pablo, respectively. Our voices? You'd be challenged to find three more different sounds. But when we started singing together, we discovered we blend freakishly well. You just never know.
Sara Weiss is the group’s low voice and balladeer. Sara taught music in the Newton schools for many years, as well as directing the All-City Honors Chorus, gaining a solid base of devoted young fans. She is a soloist at Shabbat Alive at Temple Emanuel, as well as a private vocal coach. Sara is a proud graduate of Ithaca College.
Barbara Lietzke sings the middle voice for Rhythm and Pearls and is the resident pop vocalist. She grew up in Florida, charming audiences with her singing and dancing gifts. At Florida State, she was a math major, but also wowed the crowds as a teeter board acrobat in the famous FSU Flying Circus. Locally, Barbara has performed with various pop and rock groups.
Allison Donelan, the high voice, and admittedly, a soprano, notes that she wanted to be an opera singer “in her first life”, after majoring in music at Smith College. Choosing business instead, she didn’t let this keep her from taking to the stage as often as possible. Allison has won hearts locally performing the songs of George Gershwin and Cole Porter, as well as her own musical parodies. She appeared recently at Fenway Park.
Keyboard man Neil Miller worked as a magician – until he started making magic as a professional pianist. He has accompanied renowned singers such as The Chiffons, The Shirelles, and The Vandellas, and can be heard in venues throughout Greater Boston, including Symphony Hall.
Brian Flan is our man on the drums. He "gigs" extensively around Boston, and brings his golden touch to every show.
Pianist/Arranger/Conductor Tom LaMark graduated from the Berklee College of Music and hasn't stopped making music ever since. In a wonderful career, Tom has accompanied greats like Aretha Franklin and Anthony Newley, and performed with Buddy Rich and Dizzy Gillespie. Tom can be heard at too many venues in and around Boston to be named!