White Sands A Cappella (WSA) is one of Florida's newest Harmony, Inc. Choruses, thanks
to "serendipity moments" that landed Karen Schutt on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast
and guided her future leadership as WSA's first President. With a twinkle in her eye, Karen
credits her love for barbershop singing and heartfelt friendships for inspiring an idea to
bring together women songsters across northwest Florida to Lower Alabama. Karen's vision
ultimately inspired her to collaboratively craft a roadmap for forming a new Area 6
Harmony, Inc. Chapter, and White Sands A Cappella was born.

As the Pandemic raged across the country, changes occurred in the barbershop world.
During this challenging time, Karen's determination to continue singing and connect with other barbershoppers led her to attend informal meetups at The Hangar, a local Milton restaurant where barbershoppers gather and sing tags. Meetings, moments, and months would come and go . . . Meanwhile, Karen had an idea that was taking shape. As word of this informal barbershop gathering spread, another
person answered the same call: Jeff Buehler, the Director of Sugar Beach, a women's
unaffiliated chorus. As Karen's idea strengthened, questions asked, and scenarios
considered, she formulated her next steps. As prepared as possible, and with her no-
nonsense and hopeful spirit, it came to pass that Karen would approach Jeff with a simple
question. "Hey, are you interested in directing a women's chorus?" And, as they say, the rest is history.

White Sands A Cappella was officially chartered in January 2023. A Charter Ceremony was
held in early 2024. Ecstatic jubilation barely describes WSA's first ACC experience,
which yielded qualifying scores that ignited dreams and expanded the Area 6 footprint.
Today, WSA has 20 members and counting. Many plans are in the works, and plenty of hope
and excitement for good things are on the way. Always looking to the future, and with her
signature sparkle, Karen smiles and says, "We have a good start."