Indian Blue Chorus was launched on 19 February 2013 with a singing course attended by over 80 course participants and supporters from throughout the Perth barbershop harmony community.
Former and Founding Director, Kali Caramia
Kali Caramia has been a dedicated member of Sweet Adelines International for over 26 years. A graduate of the Perth Modern Music School, she has studied various instruments over the years, including piano, clarinet, double bass, and most recently, cello. Kali discovered barbershop in 1996 and completed her Directors’ Certification in 2001. She has achieved significant success, winning three regional quartet championships (and two silver medals) with the BlackJaQ quartet. From 2002 to 2013, Kali sang bass and served as section leader in the Perth Harmony Chorus, earning five regional gold medals and one silver. She has also represented Australia internationally at both chorus and quartet levels on five occasions.
In early 2018, Kali joined the Lions Gate Chorus based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She traveled to Vancouver in September 2018 for six weeks and returned from May to September in 2019. During this time, Kali competed with Lions Gate in New Orleans in September, earning a second-place international medal. She continued her membership with the chorus until 2022, sharing her experiences and learnings with Indian Blue Chorus.
Kali has served in various leadership roles, including Region 34 Team Coordinator (2012–14), Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Editorial Review Board member, Region 34 Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee member, Regional Management Team (RMT) Nominating Committee member, and a second term on the RMT as the Region’s Directors’ Coordinator (2017–19). She has been a member of the Regional Education Faculty (REF) since 2010 and was among the first directors in Australia to be awarded the Harmony 500 pin as part of the Sweet Adelines International Directors Certification Program. This accolade was earned when Indian Blue achieved over 500 points in competition, also winning their first medal, placing third in the mid-size chorus category at the Australian Sweet Adelines convention at the Perth Convention Centre in May 2017 with 48 singers on stage.
Kali has continually sought to enhance her knowledge by attending educational events at both men's and women's regional and international gatherings until the COVID-19 pandemic altered circumstances worldwide. Despite the challenges, Indian Blue Chorus had some valuable opportunities to come together in 2020 with minimal disruptions. In 2021, they achieved their highest average score (74) at the Barbershop Harmony Australia Western Region contest held at the Heath Ledger Theatre. Kali retired as the Director of Indian Blue Chorus in 2023 after taking the chorus to SAI Regional competition in Brisbane that year.
