2007 Participating Groups

Home Free is a perfect fusion of comedy and four-part harmony.  Built upon the acoustic beauty of "a cappella" and combined with one astounding vocal percussionist, Home Free has been amazing audiences all over the Midwest since 2000.  With their extensive theatrical and musical training leading the way, Home Free’s performances showcase a new, animated, and electrifying experience that leaves audiences breathless.  Eschewing traditional forms of a cappella, Home Free is carving new ground, expanding their audience’s horizons, and introducing its own unique flavor to the musical world.  Their genre of music is an expansive mix from pop songs to classical and even techno, all successfully done with only the human voice and microphones.  This music is put to the explosive beats of one of the most exciting vocal percussionists in the a cappella scene.  Home Free has performed for a diverse clientele, ranging from the Minnesota Vikings to Fortune 500 companies like United Health Group.  They can also be found this summer on a four month touring contract with Celebrity Cruise Lines aboard the luxurious “Infinity.”  Home Free also devotes their time to educating and encouraging music in our public schools through innovative workshops and concert fundraising.  Their programs have raised thousands of dollars for schools in Minnesota. Home Free is doing what they love, anxious to continue pushing the boundaries of what they can do, both musically and professionally. Members: Matt Atwood, Chrisv Rupp, Joe Fine, Adam Rupp, Andrew Umphrey

2007 Judges

Timm Adams is enjoying his sixth year as Assistant Professor of Music at Rockford College where he teaches private voice, music theory and musical theater workshop, conducts three choirs (including the a cappella scholarship group, “The Vocal Collective”) and musical directs the Performing Arts Department’s mainstage musicals.  Prior to his move to Rockford, Timm enjoyed an extensive career in theater, both as an actor and a musical director, performing throughout the Southeast and Midwest in such shows as Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius), Joseph and the…Dreamcoat (Joseph), Singin' in the Rain (Cosmo), Pump Boys and Dinettes (L.M.), Buddy…The Buddy Holly Story (Norman Petty), and Return to the Forbidden Planet (Ariel, the rollerblading robot). He recently performed the role of Gianni Schicchi in Puccini’s comic one-act opera of the same name. Timm is also the proud Artistic Director of the Chicago Chamber Choir, which he has conducted since 2000.  Their spring concert series, “Let Us Move: The Voice of Early America”, opens tomorrow (March 25) and explores the spirited voices of our ancestors through shape-note hymns, camp-meeting tunes, spirituals and folk songs. Timm holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from Baylor University and is thrilled to be judging this exciting competition once again!


Steve Biossat - Hailing from New Orleans, LA, Steve Biossat came to Chicago 14 years ago, after his contract with Carnival Cruise Lines ended.  Before starting Speakeasy Entertainment, Steve began his a cappella career touring with “Blind Man’s Bluff”, where they performed almost 200 dates in one year.  He then joined “The Sound”, where he had the pleasure of opening up for such esteemed artists as The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Chuck Berry, and others.  Steve currently owns and operates Speakeasy Entertainment, which currently holds the exclusive in-house entertainment contract for the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the largest hotel in downtown Chicago.  Steve performs there regularly with his band, “Speakeasy Swing”.  In addition to his busy performing schedule, Steve also leads another life as marketing director for a national real estate firm, Rizzo Realty Group.  According to Steve, boredom is not an option.


George Gipp is a Chicago native born and raised on the northwest side.  His musical roots run deep, stretching back to the mid 1970’s honing his craft as a bass guitarist, arranger and rhythm section leader for several popular blues bands playing the “Lincoln Avenue Circuit”. He then broadened his musical horizons into the world of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS).  He is an International Champion – 2001 Gold Medalist member of The Northbrook New Tradition Chorus and a three-time International Bronze Medalist Quartet Baritone with The Chicago Chord of Trade and The Cincinnati Kids Quartets.  George has recorded with all three groups and performed around the world including Carnegie Hall in New York City. As a “Certified Presentation Judge” in the BHS, George has judged numerous District and International Preliminary Contests throughout the United States and Canada and at the international level in Jacksonville, Florida (2005) and again in Indianapolis, Indiana (2006) to crown the BHS Collegiate Champion.  He has a full spring schedule including British Columbia and Upstate New York. George is a sought after presentation coach and motivator- “World Wide”!


Becca Kaufman, a native New Yorker, moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University’s theatre program.  She realized singing and songwriting were her true passions and quickly became a sought after jingle writer/session singer. Becca’s talents are featured on commercials for Coke, Diet Coke, Bally's, Buick and many others.  Her character voices can be heard on many games and toys, from manufacturers such as Konami, Hallmark and the smash CD-ROM series 'You Don't Know Jack'.  In 2003 she was featured on WGN-TV as “Chicago’s Very Own” spotlighting her many voices.  Live performances have ranged from her critically acclaimed cabaret show “The Show Biz Kids” to “School House Rock Live!” to sharing the stage with performers such as Lily Tomlin, Brooke Shields, Phoebe Snow and Ellen Burstyn.  Becca is the Founder and Executive Producer of Singer Spotlight Productions, offering vocalists of all experience levels monthly showcase opportunities and educational experiences.  Becca was the Executive Producer of Music for the Heart, a collection of original children’s songs benefiting The Children’s Heart Foundation.  The album made it to the final round of Grammy considerations for Best Children’s Album.  Becca has been in high demand as a vocalist for many society bands and has performed with The Ralph Wilder Orchestra for seven years.  Becca’s passion for weddings led to her radio show “I Do, I Do”, on 105.9FM, WCKG, Chicago.  Recognized as a “wedding expert”, she has made many television appearances locally (WGN, NBC, FOX, CLTV) and her wedding tips have been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Herald and In Style magazine.


Judy Storey has been a professional singer in the Chicago area for forty years, working locally at venues ranging from jazz clubs to the Chicago Theater, singing with trios, big bands, pop/rock groups, and orchestras.  Since the early 70’s, she has been one of the city’s top studio singers with commercial credits including McDonald’s, United Airlines, Bud Lite, Betty Crocker, Pizza Hut, and many more.  Over the years, Judy has sung with artists such as Celine Dion, Carole King, Patti Austin, and Vic Damone.  Recently, she was a four-year member of the Lakeside Singers, a professional Evanston-based choir, and she currently works with the choral director in the selection of singers.  Also, Judy continues her freelance singing, both live and in the studio, as well as providing private vocal instruction.

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