On April 28, 1999, ten terrified girls stood before an impatient crowd of Straight No Chaser fans. What had been a whirlwind first month together was finally at its culmination.
After being announced as "Amphion", the group's original name, t
he
girls performed their first song, "You Don't Know Nothin'" as the
opening act for IU's premiere men's a cappella group.
It all began with the question. "Why doesn't IU have a women's a cappella group?" Natalie Perkins, the group's co-founder and director, put this question to Walter Shilanskas, director of SNC. Walt in turn put Natalie in touch with Sarah Gibson, who had been e-mailing him the same question for several months. Together, the three worked at spreading the word about auditions for "IU's first female a cappella group." After two grueling days of auditions, eight girls were chosen and rehearsals started the following week. The group's original ten members were: Rhianon Bacon, Elisa Carlson, Nora Colwell, Joshana Erenberg, Sarah Gibson, Gina Guido, Alissa Koenig, Molly Logan, Natalie Perkins and Jen Tompa.
Since that night in April 1999, the Ladies have made incredible
progress. After being sponsored by the IUAA in the fall of 1999,
they began traveling and performing as Alumni representatives all
over Indiana. They advanced to the Midwest
Semifinals
of the National Championships of Collegiate A Cappella in February
of 2000, and toured California with the Alumni Association in March
of 2000. The highlight of their year was their full-length spring
concert and the debut of their self-titled album in April 2000.
Fall of 2000 brought new members and a new sound for Ladies First. They are enjoying their time together and have become incredibly close.
After being sponsored by the IUAA in the fall of 1999, they began traveling and performing as Alumni representatives all over Indiana.
