Musical Director

Jeff Buehler

Jeff Buehler
  Jeff Buehler, Director of both the Emerald Coast Chorus and the Sugar Beach Chorus, 
brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to each of the performing groups.  His number
 one goal to “have fun” is evident and his love for all music, but especially barbershop, is infectious.
   Growing up in Minnesota, his exposure to music began at a very young age.  Both of his parents 
were performers, so music opportunities were plentiful.  He began performing with various church 
choirs and performed his first solo, Wind through the Olive Trees, for a very enthusiastic 
congregation at the age of 3.  His vocal skills were honed in multiple groups, including those of 
remarkable high school music programs in Owatonna, MN (Owatonna HS) and Mesa, AZ (Westwood HS).  
Additional experiences include the Minneapolis Boys Choir (where he sang boy soprano) and several 
regional and state level ensembles. These elite choirs allowed him the privilege of performing at 
such venues as the Ordway Theater, Minneapolis; The Orpheum, Phoenix, AZ; Lincoln Center, 
Washington DC; as well as Radio City Music Hall, and Carnegie Hall, New York City.  He was heavily 
recruited out of high school and studied Music Education, Vocal Performance, and Opera Performance 
at Northern Arizona University under the tutelage of renowned Master Conductors, Dr. Jo-Michael 
Scheibe and Dr. Lloyd Hanson.  In addition to his collegiate studies, Jeff’s love of A Capella 
music blossomed as the bass of the award-winning doo-wop quartet, The Dial Tones.  Even though 
Doo-wop was what the Dial Tones did best, their repertoire included a smattering of barbershop 
classics.  First introduced to barbershop at the age of 15 by his father, the Dial Tones fertilized 
the barbershop seed that had been initially planted as a teenager.
  After a 10-year hiatus in performing, during which he honorably served in the United States Air 
Force, Jeff’s civilian career started in 2003 in the Fort Walton Beach area.  He continues to work 
as a Datalink Engineer on Eglin AFB.  Upon relocating to this area, an advertisement in the 
Northwest Daily News looking for male singers caught his eye.  The next week, he visited the 
Emerald Coast Chorus and was appointed the Assistant Director and Bass Section Leader of the 
ensemble by the end of the rehearsal.  In addition to singing with the Emerald Coast Chorus, he has 
performed and competed with quartets such as Harbor Knights, Southern Comfort, Monkey Business, and 
Low Down Sound.  His quartets have won the title of ‘Quartet Champion’ of the Joe Breedon Panhandle 
Regional Barbershop Festival multiple times and he has finished as high as 3rd in the Sunshine 
District Quartet Competition.  He volunteered his expertise as the primary vocal coach for the 
Sugar Beach Chorus, and eventually was given the privilege to directing the wonderful bunch of 
ladies beginning in 2012.  In 2016, when the long-time musical director of the Emerald Coast Chorus 
unfortunately was transferred out of town due to occupation, Jeff was fortunate enough to be 
selected to lead them as well.
  Outside of barbershop, Jeff is very worldly and loves travelling the globe.  He is an avid golfer 
as well as participating in other sports.  Some of his other interests include spending the day at 
the beach or on the water, camping, and experimenting in the kitchen.