Indian Blue Chorus, a Western Australian women’s barbershop chorus, was launched on 19 February 2013 with a 6-week singing course.
Indian Blue is a member of Sweet Adelines International, a singing organisation made up of 25 000 women worldwide, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance.
Indian Blue Chorus’ primary aim is to sing and perform – but along the way, we know great friendships will be developed. It is often said that women “join for the singing and stay for the friendships!” The chorus will provide education and training in a supportive and exciting environment from local, national and international coaches. The opportunity for personal growth is also a very important part of belonging to this organisation.
Former and Founding Director - Kali Caramia
Kali Caramia has been a member of Sweet Adelines International for 26 years. She is a graduate of the Perth Modern Music School and a student of a number of instruments over the years, (piano, clarinet, double bass and now cello). Kali ‘found’ barbershop in 1996 and went on to complete her Directors’ Certification in 2001; has won three regional quartet championships (and two silvers) with BlackJaQ quartet, sang bass and served as section leader in Perth Harmony Chorus from 2002 – 2013 earning 5 regional gold medals and one silver and has represented Australia internationally at a chorus and/or quartet level on five occasions. Also, in early 2018 she joined Lions Gate Chorus who are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Travelling to Vancouver in September 2018 for 6 weeks and then again from May to September in 2019, Kali competed with Lions Gate in New Orleans in September earning a second-place International medal. She was able to continue her membership with them until 2022 and to share her learnings with Indian Blue over that time.
Kali has served as the Region 34 Team Coordinator (2012– 14), the Sweet Adeline International (SAI) Editorial Review Board, the Region 34 Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee, the Regional Management Team (RMT) Nominating Committee, and a second term on the RMT as the Region’s Directors’ Coordinator (2017-19). She has served as a member of the Regional Education Faculty (REF) since 2010 and was also one of the first Directors in Australia to be awarded the new Harmony 500 pin as part of the Sweet Adelines International Directors Certification Program. This happened when Indian Blue achieved over 500 points at competition, also winning their first medal, placing 3rd mid-size chorus at the Australian Sweet Adelines convention at the Perth Convention Centre in May 2017 with 48 singers on stage.
Kali enjoyed gaining knowledge by attending educational events at both men’s and women’s regional and international events until Covid hit and changed everyone’s world! IBC had some good opportunities to be together in 2020 with minimal disruptions, 2021 we were able to compete and gain our highest average score (74) with the Barbershop Harmony Australia Western Region contest at the Heath Ledger Theatre. 2022 is starting off a little rocky, but IBC continue to work hard to stay together and be ready to perform and sing again when the world reopens.