Kathy Carmody - Master Director
Kathy is a dynamic and highly talented musical leader who uses her unique style of teaching, coaching, and managing skills toward the enhancement of the Barbershop style of music. Kathy has been a member of Sweet Adelines International since 1968, actively involved both in the musical and administrative sides of the organization locally, regionally, and internationally. She served as International President of Sweet Adelines in 1997-98 and 1999-2000. Kathy has led the Velvet Hills Chorus to the Region 8 Championship in March 2002 and April 2008. She has also led the chorus to multiple International medals - 2004 (7th), 2007 (10th), and 2010 (5th). Kathy previously sang Baritone in the 2005 Region 8 5th place quartet Cool Change.
Kathy continually strives to make Sweet Adelines the best it can be. "It is a real gift to be able to belong to this organization. We are truly fortunate that all the circumstances are right for us to be able to participate. What we do with this opportunity is up to us...I think of a rehearsal as preparing a gift, and I want it to be the highlight of the week for my chorus. If we are focused correctly when we rehearse and when we perform, we are participants in a moment of infinite joy....each week!"
Kathy continually strives to make Sweet Adelines the best it can be. "It is a real gift to be able to belong to this organization. We are truly fortunate that all the circumstances are right for us to be able to participate. What we do with this opportunity is up to us...I think of a rehearsal as preparing a gift, and I want it to be the highlight of the week for my chorus. If we are focused correctly when we rehearse and when we perform, we are participants in a moment of infinite joy....each week!"
Suzi Johnsen - Associate Director
Suzi has been a member of
Sweet Adelines International (SAI) for 34 years and directed Velvet Hills Chorus
from 1987 thru most of 1999. In those twelve years she led Velvet Hills in
winning three Region 8 Championships, enabling the chorus to compete on the
International stages in Miami, Baltimore and Reno. Because of her directing
skills and the accomplishments of the chorus, Suzi received the status of Master
Director in 1992.
She is on the Region 8 faculty and as such coaches quartets and choruses. Because she is a Master Director, she was invited and then selected by SAI to be a Director Mentor, assigned to work with different novice directors around the organization each year - that was SUCH fun and gave me a chance to "give back," nurture and share knowledge learned over the years. She is currently the Competition Coordinator in Region 8 and loves helping to organize all things "contest". She has been in several Region 8 Championship Quartets dating back to 1986 - Rare Expression as Baritone, Lead in Brillante for 12 years, Radiance for 5 years, and is currently the lead in nVision. She recently retired as a dental hygienist, and she and Ron, her husband of 28 years, have six children between them as well as several grandchildren.
She is on the Region 8 faculty and as such coaches quartets and choruses. Because she is a Master Director, she was invited and then selected by SAI to be a Director Mentor, assigned to work with different novice directors around the organization each year - that was SUCH fun and gave me a chance to "give back," nurture and share knowledge learned over the years. She is currently the Competition Coordinator in Region 8 and loves helping to organize all things "contest". She has been in several Region 8 Championship Quartets dating back to 1986 - Rare Expression as Baritone, Lead in Brillante for 12 years, Radiance for 5 years, and is currently the lead in nVision. She recently retired as a dental hygienist, and she and Ron, her husband of 28 years, have six children between them as well as several grandchildren.
Paula Davis - Assistant Director
Paula has been a member of Sweet Adelines International for 25 years, having been a member and Assistant Director of the RichTones Chorus in Dallas, TX; Houston Horizon Chorus in Houston, TX; and the Velvet Hills Show Chorus in Colorado Springs, CO. She is an SAI Certified Expression Judge and the organization’s Judge Specialist in that category. In addition, Paula is a Certified International Faculty Member, and chorus/quartet coach while singing Bass herself in Velvet Hills Show Chorus and Finale quartet. Having been a high school choral director in “real” life, her passion is teaching and encouraging all singers to grow and succeed in this life-long hobby of bringing music into our world.