Mitch sang with the Madrigal Singers and the Chamber Choir at the Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, NJ. He knew Doug Yetter, and saw somewhere that the Chorus was looking for new members. He hadn't sung since high school, but Carl Schloegel encouraged him to join. Mitch said it was hard in the beginning, but he enjoys singing and the rehearsal CD helped a lot.
Mitch Selbiger, Bass
Mitch Selbiger knows first-hand that we are "all capable of more than we think we are,” Whether launching a new career or business, or trekking to remote places in the Himalayas, Mitch is always willing to embrace a new challenge and live a little on the edge. Born and raised in Wayne, New Jersey, Mitch earned a BA degree in Business Administration from the University of Vermont. A six month internship in St. Thomas, USVI, gave him plenty of opportunities to sail (something he has loved since he was a kid), but also convinced him that he definitely did not want to be in the hotel business. After graduating UVM, Mitch spent a few years in retail at Lord & Taylor in both Manhattan and Detroit, before receiving a full fellowship to the George Washington University in DC.
While at GW, Mitch opened his first business, an Oriental Rug Gallery in Old Town, Alexandria. He handled the marketing and accounting for the store; his partner, whose passion was buying and selling oriental rugs, handled the operational end of the business. After completing his M.B.A., Mitch began a 25-year career in the high tech industry, first at internet sensation Netscape and later as Executive Vice President for Marketing at Aether Systems—the company that brought the Blackberry to the U.S.
Leaving the high tech world, Mitch moved to the beach in 2001. He and his partner opened Rainbow Earth Foods, then the only health food store in Rehoboth. Mitch did the accounting and marketing for the store and also began his current career as a Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker for Ocean Atlantic Sotheby's International Realty. Mitch consistently receives high ratings from his customers and has been named a Delaware Today Five Star Real Estate Agent every year since 2011. When his partner passed away (a very tough time), Mitch wasn't able to run the store and also work as an agent; in 2012, he sold Rainbow Earth Foods (it's now the Good News Natural Foods store).
Mitch was an avid downhill skier and tennis player in high school and college but never considered himself a sports enthusiast. However, in 2009, a couple of months after having both his hips replaced, Mitch not only completed his first 5K race in under 30 minutes, but spent 14 days trekking in Nepal. Mitch had reconnected via Facebook with his friend Suzanne whom he hadn't seen since high school. She was living in London with her husband and asked if any of her 50-something friends were interested in going to Nepal. Mitch flew halfway around the world to Kathmandu for their reunion and "the trip of a lifetime." His amazing journey included an overnight in Seoul, Korea, and trekking with a Sherpa through the Himalayas.
Mitch continued to travel with Suzanne—their journeys included a trek with a guide and some donkeys through remote areas of Northern Ethiopia, and in Turkey this year with only a GPS and cell phone—no guide. Suzanne is now talking about trekking in Burma (Myanmar just doesn't sound as exotic). Mitch may pass on this one. He is ready for some slightly more cushy travel experiences. Plus, he has a new partner, and life at the beach is good, very good.
Thanks, Mitch for joining us last season and adding your voice, your smile and cheerful enthusiasm to the Chorus!