41st Annual

Los Angeles Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival acapella singing competition

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The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music. The annual national competition draws from hundreds of vocal groups from around the country with regional competitions in eight cities. The winning group from each festival is flown to perform in front of celebrity judges and a sold out house of enthusiastic a cappella fans at the National Finals.

April 11th, 2026 - 7.30pm

COSTA MESA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2650 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa CA 92626

Hosted by

One of the top choruses in the country

Westminster Chorus

Under the direction of Dr. Dan Wessler, The Westminster Chorus is the 2009 Choir of the World Pavarotti Trophy winner and the International Chorus Gold Medalist of the Barbershop Harmony Society for 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2024. Uniquely composed of young and committed singers, the chorus in its current organization formed in 2002. They are the male performance and competition chorus of the Westminster, California Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), with a mission to preserve and advance the Barbershop art form, while providing and encouraging an inclusive community for youth in Southern California and around the world to engage in lifelong singing, music, and artistic expression.

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2026 Participating Groups

Lolas
Founded in 2011, the Lolas (Ladies of Los Angeles) have made their mark as LA's premier all-women vocal pop group, celebrated for powerful harmonies, inventive arrangements, and dedication to female empowerment. The Lolas have filled some of LA's most iconic venues including The Mint, The Roxy, Bar Lubitsch, and The Witzend. Their repertoire spans decades and genres, delivering a curated blend of fresh hits and timeless classics at every show. A dynamic collective of women thriving in diverse careers, the Lolas share a bond that makes their music - and friendship - truly unforgettable.

Members: Jennifer Cox, Larissa Minder, Hallie Winant, Lizzie Dean, Doris Osic, Bailey Anderson, Kelly Williams, Rachel Schmitt
Red Harmony
Based in Los Angeles, California, Red Harmony tailors its selection of songs to the voices and personalities of its singers in order to present a fresh and original performance. Each member brings a very unique style, specialty, and energy to the table, creating a synergistic culture where ideas are shared and creativity is celebrated. From accompanying each other with rhythmic vocals to reveling in crunchy jazz chords, Red Harmony creates a personal experience with every note.

Members: Michaela Slezak, Samantha Felipe, Daniela Trejo, Ryan Espinosa, Nate George, Christopher Thaxter
Rhymes With Orange
What Rhymes with Orange? Singing without instruments! We are five friends who love to make music together. We pull from many styles, including jazz, pop, classical, spirituals, or whatever else floats our boat.

Members: Sue Scheirer, Heather Abushanab, Jennifer Brainerd, Loring Fiske-Phillips, Dan Abushanab
Squad Harmonix
Squad Harmonix is a year-round a cappella training team for advanced singers aged 8-18, designed to give young singers a team and a second family to belong to and grow with. They train every Saturday, perform over 35 shows per year, release an annual album, and just LOVE meeting new people, learning from watching increidble performers.

Members: Ella T, Scarlett C, Michaela C, Kaira K, Asten O, Ava G, Calliope C, Ami L, Eleanor K
The Seventh Variety
The Seventh Variety is an award winning barbershop quartet based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. We specialize in fun and engaging acapella music that blends the classic barbershop style with an energetic and modern approach. We enjoy connecting with audiences through storytelling and try to make every performance personable, funny, and entertaining.

Members: Jacob Gonzalez, Michael Keleshian, Emilio Pichardo, Ross Valantine
Top Shelf Vocal
Top Shelf Vocal is an award-winning, semi-professional a cappella choir in Los Angeles, California. Top Shelf members are from all different career fields brought together by a love for vocal music and performance. As a group, Top Shelf performs regularly around the Greater LA Area and continues to develop a diverse repertoire of off-the-beaten-path pop a cappella.

Members: Alexis Planer-Villanueva, Jo Im, Paulina Nguyen, Kat Shiota, Katarina Mayers, Aaron Revilla, Philip Villanueva, Anthony ACE Galang, Dustin Domingo, Chance Robles, Nivram Jacob Castro, Wyatt Moscoso
Valkyries
Valkyries are a female barbershop and acapella quartet residing in Southern California. They formed as a quartet at a barbershop workshop in 2016 while they were in High School. Ever since, they ve had the opportunity to perform all over the United States and internationally in Manchester, England. In 2022, Valkyries won the Rising Star Contest of Sweet Adelines International and recently won the Novice Quartet award at their first International. The Valkyries all share a great passion for music and love every opportunity they have to share it with the world! The Valkyries are made up of Gracie Lueck, Emma Castillo, Sarah Morehead, and Kayla Quilantang. Show them some love on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/valkyriesquartet, or check out their page, www.valkyriesquartet.wixsite.com/valkyries

Members: Gracie Lueck, Sarah Saavedra, Emma Castillo, Kayla Quilantang

2026 Judges TBA

Complete list of 2026 participants


Interested in Performing?

We are always seeking groups who would like to participate in our events.

Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between 3 and 12 members. We have a rule book which explains many of the details of the event, which you can see by clicking here. All groups must audition in order to compete. Generally this is done by sending a current tape and photo, although live auditions are sometimes arranged. The purpose of the audition is to make sure the group is appropriate for the Festival and to help the Director determine the performance order. If a group has competed previously, the audition process may be waived.

How to enter

Please send music and photos to the regional director :

Shawn Nielson (Los Angeles) Shawn is a lighting designer by trade, but a logistical mind in his off time. He serves as the VP of Operations for our sponsor, the Westminster Chorus, where he is a part of the tenor section. The Westminster Chorus was founded in 2002 and quickly climbed the ranks of the Barbershop Harmony Society; they became international champions in 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2024. In 2009 they were crowned Choir of the World at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. The Westminster Chorus holds a mission to preserve and advance the Barbershop art form, while providing and encouraging an inclusive community in Southern California and around the world to engage in lifelong singing, music, and artistic expression."



operations at westminsterchorus.org

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Costa Mesa Performing Arts Center

The new Costa Mesa High School Performing Arts Center consists of a 25,000-SF theater, black box, and performing arts classroom building. The new building also contains an orchestra pit, catwalks, student performance prep spaces, restrooms, support areas, theatrical rigging, theater lighting, and sound support systems.

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