.calm/bios
Kay Seymour
/tenor
Kay is the Tenor of .CALM and in-house coach and teacher for our quartet. We value her knowledge and experience and are so very grateful for the gifts she gives so freely.
Kay is front line director of the Pride of Toledo Chorus, she brings many years of barbershop experience. As the daughter of a barbershopper, this style of music has been coursing through her body all of her life.
After 53 years, there are many medals in the jewelry box for her. Many regional championships as well as 5 gold international championship medals. Each one, no matter the level, has memories attached and she is proud of every single one of them.
Previous directors have helped in the education of the Sweet Adeline style and Kay gives many thanks to all of the directors she has had the opportunity to perform for; Lane Bushong (BHS), Jean Barford and Kathy Carmody (SAI).
In August of 2008, Kay took the reins of the Pride of Toledo Chorus where she has since earned the title of “Master Director”.
Kay spends all of her time directing “Pride” and coaching many quartets and choruses in Region 17. She is passionate about what she gets to do every day, “When you see a face light up with understanding, well, it just doesn’t get any better than that?”
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On a personal “note”, she is the mother of 2 daughters, Mindy and Michele, and has 3 grandchildren, Jackson, Lily, and Gavin.
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Kay says, “I have loved every minute of this hobby and it has allowed me to become who I am today. What other hobby affords you the opportunity to grow as a person, make friends from all over the world and perform the music that you love?”
Ruth Bates
/lead
Ruth is the .CALM Lead and is definitely not the calm one; she freely admits she must be the "dot".
Joining Sweet Adeline's four years ago, she has moved full speed ahead on the current journey of her life. She immediately fell in love with the harmony and the sisterhood and jumped into this hobby with both feet. Ruth is a member of two choruses calling Pride of Toledo her home chorus, and assoicate member with the Greater Cleveland Chorus..
Ruth is the Marketing Coordinator serving on the Great Lakes Harmony Region 17 Management Team, The Pride of Toledo Chorus board of directors and .calm quartet.
Singing and music have always been a part of her life. Along with Ruth's music educator husband Jeff, they have performed and directed musicals, church choirs and youth choirs. As well as performing together in both duet and mixed quartets. They have two children Nicole (Living in Flordia working her grown-up Walt Disney World job) and Ryan, still at home. In order to pay for her hobby Ruth works as an office manager for a dental practice in Vermilion, OH.
She resides in Elyria with Jeff and Ryan and their 4 dogs Jackson, Wilson, Maggie and Quincy... and cat Sally.
When talking about .CALM she states "It's an honor and privillege to sing with these three talented women. They challenge and inspire me on a daily basis and fill my life with Joy and sweet harmony!"
Pam Crugnale
/bass
Pam is the Bass of .CALM and while she keeps us laughing with her quick wit, she is serious when it comes to singing. Pam discovered her love of barbershop in 1998, singing with the Texas Harmony Chorus outside of Dallas. She credits her first director, Darlene Rogers, with inspiring her passion for good barbershop. She proudly served as the bass section leader at Texas Harmony, Toast of Tampa and City of Flags Chorus. Pam is currently is a member of the Pride of Toledo Chorus.
On a personal note ~ pun intended ~ ha ha! Pam's three older siblings say she's been singing since before she could talk! Somewhat of a gypsy, Pam always looked for a singing outlet wherever she and Joe, her husband and best friend for over 38 years, have landed. She even sang with an opera group for a time.
Pam currently lives in Akron where she and Joe share their home with two furry four-legged boys, Hiro and Goober.
She is quick to add, "Good barbershop makes my ears happy and singing as part of .CALM quartet makes my heart happy."
Margie "Mim" Manuel
/baritone
Mim is the Baritone of .Calm. and her love of barbershop started in 1981. After a few years of family focus, she re-entered the barberhop world in 2004, singing with the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus, finding the joy of singing baritone. She is now part of the amazing Pride of Toledo Chorus. She is active as a section leader and a member of the Music team.
Baking is her business, and it fills her time when she is not singing. She is the owner of Desserts First and makes lots of people happy with her goodies. She also enjoys sewing, and making this group look good is a priority
She resides in the Pittsburgh PA area with her husband Terry, who shares her love of the craft. They have one son Nathan, who is married to Dee - their wonderful daughter-in-law.
Mim says, "This foursome is a true gift. We all have the same work ethic, and are always ready to learn something new. It is so darned much fun singing with this amazing group of ladies".
