Karen Johns is a long-time Sweet Adeline (over 41 years) who began co-directing Gem City in the spring of 2023. She graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, specializing in Music Therapy. She is currently working as a teacher for students learning English as a Second Language. Karen began singing in the Columbus Chorus in 1982 with her mom and sister. She transferred to Gem City when she came to Dayton for college, and has been with Gem City since then, with a brief stint in the Scioto Valley Chorus in Dublin, Ohio. Karen has been in a variety of quartets through the years, including winning the regional quartet competition twice, singing baritone (The Rolling Tones, Region 4, 1999) and singing bass (Paper Dolls, Region 24, 2009). Her most recent quartet, Limelight, had the honor of traveling to Wales for a competition where they placed 2nd in the Small Vocal Ensemble division in the Eisteddfod. A highlight of that same trip was travelling to the UK and visiting a Sweet Adeline Chorus in Aberdeen, Scotland. Karen has been married to her husband, Dave, for 28 years. They have three adult children, three cats, three fish and a snail. A fun fact about Karen's family is they have been involved in barbershop music for FIVE generations. Her great-grandfather was a member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., the original men's barbershop organization; her grandmother directed choirs for many years and taught barbershop music to her choir members; her mother joined Sweet Adelines in 1980; her sister joined in 1981; and Karen's youngest son joined the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and was named Rookie of the Year. Karen is excited to continue learning about this art form through directing, singing and arranging.