Our director since August 2004, BJ Vermue brings a wealth of barbershop harmony knowledge and experience. She has been an active member of Sweet Adelines International for more than 30 years with
a singing and directing career that took her to four choruses throughout Ontario and one in Lahr, Germany. BJ was a performing member of the championship North Metro Chorus in Toronto for twelve
years. BJ was thrilled to have competed in Fort Lauderdale with them when they won their first gold medal in 1996 and their second in 1999, in Atlanta.
Holding dual membership with Sweet Adelines International and Harmony Incorporated, BJ also felt privileged to be the director of the award winning Over Tones, Inc. chorus of Harmony Inc.
Area 5 and directed them a total of six times on the International stage.
"Music has always played a major part in my life-growth. Singing and directing in school and church choirs eventually brought me to the wonderful world of Barbershop which I have enjoyed for over 20 years.
As an Assistant Director, I am part of a vibrant Music Team. Along with others, I start our practices with effective warm-ups, dealing mostly with breathing exercises. Occasionally I direct our chorus at rehearsals and performances. I am excited about this opportunity to grow into an even better singer under our very talented Director, BJ Vermue."
Though new as Assistant Director, Karen has been a Thousand Islander for 18 years. Having started as a youngster with piano lessons and being in church and communiy choirs most of her life, she felt barbershop singing would give her the challenge that she needed to develop her vocal talents. As a tenor in the Chorus and in the FourTune Seekers quartet, Karen recently remarked to an inquirer, "Once I started, I was hooked on the harmony and the friendships that I have made in this wonderful hobby." Karen also shares the musical skills she has learned in barbershop with her church choir and a community children's musical theatre program.