Steering Committee
DirectorKaren Breidert
Karen is a popular coach and teacher within Sweet Adelines Intl. She has achieved the level of "Master Faculty" and "Master Director."
Karen has directed 3 choruses, ranking in the finals 8 times. She recently retired from directing Spirit of the Gulf, helping them win the coveted "Most Entertaining Chorus Award" three times. She has won 9 international quartet medals - including the championship with Jubilation in 1985 and with "the BUZZ" in 2005. Karen was International President of Sweet Adelines from 1998 - 1999. Karen has a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Foreign Language and a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She lives in Jacksonville FL on the beautiful St. John's River with her husband Bob - also a barbershop quartet finalist. Since she began singing at age four with her family's professional singing group, The Drummond Family Singers, music has truly been in Karen's heart and soul for all of her life.
CoordinatorJoanie Jaques
Marketing/Website Coordinator Cindy LeMasters
Cindy is excited to be acting as Marketing/Website Coordinator. Cindy earned her THC pin as the baritone of Showtime, Region 9’s 1987 Quartet Champs. Showtime went on to win the International Championship becoming the 1994 Queens of Harmony. She has also been a regional champion singing Baritone with Premier in 2016 and 2017. Cindy is also a proud member and music mentor of Spirit of the Gulf chorus in Fort Myers, Florida. She is an IT instructional designer by trade and works as a for an international Law Firm. She calls Brandon, Florida her home. When not singing with her chorus , Cindy enjoys taking care of her sweet 96 year young Aunt Betty Lou, spending time with her Havanese puppy, Milo, reading and taking on new and exciting "home improvement" projects.
Finance CoordinatorGina Baker
Gina has been around barbershop her whole life, but officially joined Sweet Adelines in 1993. She has been a member of Sound of Sunshine Chorus and was also a member of Toast Of Tampa Show Chorus for 21 years, growing through performance, dancing on the Front Row, Music Staff, Management Team, and became a Certified Director. She was named Associate Director of TOT in 2015 and was awarded Sweet Adeline of the Year in 2017. Gina found her home in Spirit of the Gulf Chorus in 2022 and was named Associate Director in 2024 and Co-Director in 2025. Gina was also the Lead in Jackpot! Quartet, earning 3 consecutive international silver medals before retiring in 2009. She then went on to sing Lead in Touché, 2013 SAI Quartet Champions, & Viva! 2020 SAI Quartet Champions. Currently, she is the Tenor of the 3rd place SAI Medalist quartet, Sirens! She enjoys serving and teaching on the Region 9 Education Steering Committee and Education Faculty coaching choruses and quartets around the region and beyond. She is the Region 9 YWIH Coordinator and is a Youth Camp Clinician. Gina is also in the International Judging Program and is an Approved Candidate Judge in the Sound Category. Gina recently retired from a nursing career to pursue more barbershop! She and her husband, Jeff live in San Antonio, FL with their daughter, Lisa and adorable long-haired chihuahua, Bella.
Communication/Show CoordinatorDeanna Kastler
Deanna is an elementary music educator in the Broward County School District. She married fellow barbershopper, James Kastler, and they are the proud parents of son Caden and Jackson. She is the baritone of the 2015 International Champion Quartet, Bling! In the midst of teaching, family time and, of course, quartet time, Deanna travels to Ft. Myers every Tuesday night for rehearsal with Spirit of the Gulf. She is a Certified Director and serves as Spirit of the Gulf's Co-Director.