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Thursday, March 28, 2024

20 questions with Sue Kember

Meet the vocalist, musician, educator, and ScotianAires music director Sue Kember

Meet award-winning vocalist, pianist and music educator Sue Kember.

Sue is the music director of the ScotianAires, the award-winning women’s a cappella chorus specializing in four-part harmony in the barbershop style. The ScotianAires have been performing for over 35 years with its current roster of 60+ members a diverse group of women of all ages from across the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The competitive chorus and two of its quartets are currently in Sandusky, Ohio looking to bring home a medal at Harmony Inc’s International Convention and Contests. The four-day competition brings together over a thousand like-minded female barbershoppers.

20 Questions with Sue Kember

1. Your first job.

McDonald’s. I worked there for five years.

2. The job you always wanted as a child?

To be a singer/rock star.

3. Your pet peeve.

Bad drivers.

4. Your hero.

My dear friend Marion Fraser Pritchard, who is dealing with cancer for the third time.  Her strength, dignity and good humour are a lesson for us all.

5. Your biggest indulgence.

My new 2020 Toyota Corolla.

6. One thing no one knows about you.

I failed my first vocal audition trying to get into my applied vocal program at Guelph. I passed the 2nd one after taking lessons for the semester! See what a little knowledge can do!

7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.

A coffee maker with an unlimited supply of coffee, chocolate, and my chorus who will also bring stuff so we would have all the amenities covered!

8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.

Loyal.

9. If they made a movie about your life, who would it star?

Meryl Streep.

10. Hero or villain?

Hero.

11. Your life’s motto/mantra.

Motto: be a lifelong learner.  Mantra: be kind.

12. Your favourite composer.

Queen.

13. The last book you read.

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths.

14. If you were a cartoon character, what cartoon character would you be?

Bugs Bunny because he has it all figured out and takes life as it comes!

15. What will it say on your grave marker?

Finally, I can take a break!

16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?

My parents. It would have to be a long dinner though because there is a lot to tell them since they left this earth.

17. Your idea of happiness.

Singing. Watching Murdoch Mysteries with my family. Sitting at the end of the dock at the cottage.

18. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your twenty-year-old self?

Take more chances and don’t be afraid to fail. Its how you have learned so much!

19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.

I am proud of ao many things, but ultimately, I have to say I am most proud of my beautiful daughters who continue to amaze me.

20. Your best advice to an aspiring singer.

Learn the proper vocal techniques right from the beginning.   And then never stop

Meet Sue Kember

Sue teaches piano and voice in her studio in Windsor Junction, NS. She has been teaching
students of all ages for over 30 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Music and Drama with a vocal performance specialty from the University of Guelph in 1993.

She joined the ScotianAires Chorus in 1994 and immediately found her voice. She has sung in many quartets since joining Harmony, Inc., and is currently singing baritone with “enJOY!” She has been directing the ScotianAires since 2006 and has accomplished over seven championships and has reached as high as sixth place internationally.

Sue is a singing judge in Harmony, Inc and has just recertified this January. Barbershop
certainly fills her life with music and she is grateful for this opportunity to share her knowledge and continue to learn and grow as a musician, leader and coach.

She also plays drums in a band with her husband and friend, called Geared Up. They play at house parties and at the legion from time to time.

You can follow the ScotianAires on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or find out more on their website at scotianaires.ca.

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