2011 Participating Groups
 | | Clockwork
Clockwork is a vocal quartet who sing mostly close-harmony jazz but also our own twists on pop and rock tunes.
Clockwork, an award-winning San Francisco based vocal ensemble with a signature sound and style, performs a banquet of music from funk to gospel and R&B to standards. Rooted in the tradition of great vocal jazz groups such as the Hi-Lo's and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, the Clockwork "sound" draws inspiration from all styles. As the great Duke Ellington said, "If it sounds good, it is good."
Experienced in both accompanied and a cappella performing, the group has arrangements for duos, trios and an 18-piece big band. Members of Clockwork have performed live with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, The Hi-Lo's , Meredith Monk, Don Shelton, Gene Puerling, Barbara Lewis, Sufjan Stevens, John Zorn, Barbara Morrison, Kent Nagano with the Deutches Symphonie Orchester and the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, The PM Singers, Heatwave, GQ, Barbara Lynn, Richie Cole, M-Pact!, the House Jacks, Boyz Nite Out, InFusion, Vocal Flight, and on Ward Swingle's Instructional video "Swingle Singing."Members: Juliet Green, Dave Duran, John Paddock, Juliet Green, Angie Doctor, Dave Duran
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The Crush
The Crush is a young, exciting barbershop quartet from the Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society compiled of four energetic young men in their 20s. Formed in 2006, this foursome is based out of Orange County, CA, and has entertained audiences at competitions, shows, and private parties near and far. In 2010, The Crush captured the Far Western District Quartet Championship! Known for their tight, bright harmonies and youthful, toe-tapping energy, The Crush hopes to become a household name with barbershop and a cappella fans throughout the country! Music performed by the group consists of barbershop, swing and vocal jazz arrangements influenced by the Big Band Era of 20's, 30's and 40's. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the jazzy feel and swingin' sound of The Crush!Members: Matt Gray, Josh Szolomayer, John Brockman, Paul Tabone
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 | | Evolution
EVOLUTION - is, astonishingly fun and creative… a clear winner for the Audience!” proclaims Amy Engelhard of The Bobs . “Good Singing (dawg)” says Randy Jackson of American Idol. And, The RAY Magazine described EVOLUTION as “Inspiring, funny, and super hip”. “With amazing, rock solid, monster vocals and mad sex appeal” (Karman Kruschke, Actress/Image Consultant), EVOLUTION has moved audiences from laughter to tears with their harmonies and performance antics. EVOLUTION takes traditional A Cappella to new amplitudes. EVOLUTION is always excited to share their music with the listeners of the world. They are thrilled to be back once again on the Harmony Sweepstakes stage. As always, they wish to leave you with a smile on your face, a skip in your step, and a tune in your heart.Members: Rono Smith, Seth Shapiro, Adam Sears, Joshua Silverstein, Michael Maury
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Prime Note Ensemble
Prime Note Ensemble was the 1st all male Filipino choral group based in Saudi Arabia, where it was founded in 2001. Originally 25-strong, the 17 members now call Southern California home since 2009. The group's first international competition was in Xiamen, China in 2006, and Graz, Austria in 2008 at the World Choir Games. Prime Note was awarded the bronze & silver medals respectively, in the male chamber choir category. In 2007, the group was among the 15 invited participating choirs at the 14th Festival International Chant de Choral in Nancy, France. After participating in the 2nd California International Choral Festival & Competition in San Luis Obispo in June 2009, the choir has had performances in the Bay area and continues to hold performances in Southern California.Members: Novem Cabios, Jonar Sara,, Efren Cardoza, Leo Abalos, Joel Macapas, Yagi Brisenio, Eric Yabut, Hero Emolaga
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 | | Scatitude
Scatitude - is a talented group of teenage and adult singers who enjoy singing a variety of vocal arrangements ranging from pop to jazz standards. The group is based in Hermosa Beach, California and is directed by Beth Rohde at Coast Music Conservatory. Members: Beth Rohde, Cierra Sample, Kieran Moriah, Patrick Storey, Faith Memmo
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Swing Shift
Swing Shift is a vocal jazz mixed ensemble. The group's signature sound is heard in their rich harmonic treatment of pop, jazz, and Broadway standards. Over the years the group has drawn on local resources like the SMC Vocal Jazz Ensemble from which five of Swing Shift's present roster are current or past members. We are proud that many of Swing Shift's alumni have gone on to advance their careers in prestigious ensembles like the LA Master Chorale and LA Choral Lab. If you love lush sounds, complex harmonies, and creamy-smooth blend, you'll love hearing this group.Members: Janette La Bella, Joel Dalton, Phil Azelton, Richard Gilinsky, Holly Pitrago
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 | | These Guys A Cappella
These Guys - have been Thrilling audiences since 2005. They have made network T.V. appearances, opened for platinum recording artists, and been awarded in numerous music competitions. This all male ensemble sings Jazz, Hip Hop, R and B, Barbershop, Doo Wop, Rock , and Boogaloo. "These Guys" spent all of 2010 performing on Celebrity cruise lines, and are happy to be back in Southern California! |
Vybration
Vybration was formed in 2001 to perform at Disney's California Adventure under the name "Groove 66". The band quickly became the park's most popular atmosphere group. Its members are some of the most powerful, versatile, and in demand vocalists in all of Southern California with resume credits spanning from broadway, television, and film, to orignial rock bands, and pioneering modern music projects. Vybration is unlike many acapella sextets out there, covering a variety of music that includes traditional jazz tunes like Blue Skies and Fly Me to the Moon, rock n roll songs like Lenny Kravitz's Fly Away, pop hits such as Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Startin Something and many many more. All that have witnessed the magic in music that Vybration creates can tell you that, "Vybration is a force to be reckoned with!"Members: Jill Burke, Bryan Chadima, Trist Curless, Laura Dickinson, Jeff Smith, Heather McMasters
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 | | Who's Your Daddy!
Who's Your Daddy! -isn’t just Jerry Springer’s favorite question. It’s also the name of the most unique, rockin' and successful a cappella singing group in America – well, in the northwestern third of the San Fernando Valley, anyway.
Formed one year ago by three longtime friends and another guy who brought the sandwiches, W.Y.D. -- which is a short and hip way of saying “Who’s Your Daddy!” – brings a whole new approach to performing those amazing songs that made our fists pump and our Mullets sway back in the day.
Now, you’re probably saying to yourself, “Hey, what’s so special about four dudes who think they’re so hot they can put out an album? (Okay, it’s a CD, if you want to get all modern about it.) Well, there’s a couple of good answers. First is, “Who the hell do you think you are, asking us a question like that?” Second is, we’re really good singers. So good, in fact, that we don’t even need musical instruments to accompany us. Which is why it’s called a cappella singing in the first place, Mister Ask-A-Million-Questions.Members: Rick Neigher, Adam Gorgoni, Chris Cote, Freddy Curci
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2011 Judges
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Eric Bradley
Eric Bradley moved to Los Angeles in 1999 and joined Sixth Wave which would go on to win the 2001 Los Angeles and National Harmony Sweepstakes. He also joined another startup group with the legendary Dick Van Dyke called The Vantastix who are still going strong after 19 years. Along the way he’s sung in numerous a cappella groups on and off screen including How I Met Your Mother (“The Shagarats”), The Break-Up (“The Tone Rangers”), The Office (“Here Comes Treble”), Brooklyn 99, Fresh Off the Boat, New Girl, About a Boy, Silicon Valley, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and brief stints with live groups The Bobs and M-Pact. As a session singer he’s lent his voice (and whistle) to hundreds of films, television shows, albums, commercials, and video games. See more info at ericbradley.info and ericwhistles.com. |
Cindy Bourquin
Cindy Bourquin is a full time musician in Los Angeles, CA, whose career spans many aspects of the business. She is a session singer that has worked on over 50 films such as Star Trek, Wall-E, Raiders of the Lost Ark 4, and Ice Age, and is currently featured on the a cappella score of the TV show Glee. She has also been featured on TV shows such as Nip/Tuck, The Drew Carey Show and Ally McBeal. She has sung on commercials for Visa, True Value Hardware, Burger King and The Walt Disney Company.
She is also a member of the award winning vocal sextet, Sixth Wave. Cindy is also a songwriter and is currently working on her first solo project. Cindy is also a busy educator, adjudicator and clinician. She teaches jazz at Santa Monica College, where her vocal group won a DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award for Outstanding Performance in 2007, and had the honor of performing at the 2008 International Association of Jazz Education International Convention in Toronto, ON. |
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Linda Kelly
Linda Kelly is a renowned vocal coach and Master Director who has directed and coached numerous award-winning a capella groups for over 35 years. She is currently directing the Golden Sands Sweet Adeline Chorus in Long Beach. Her love and knowledge of acapella music started at a very early age as her Father was a member of a Gospel Quartet that performed through the Southern United States. She was active in music ensembles all through her school years, majoring in vocal performance and marketing.
"My passion for music, especially a cappella, is the driving force in my life that has brought me countless hours of joy PLUS many treasured friendships. It is my distinct honor to teach what I know and be given the opportunity to encourage and help others discover their own musical passion." |
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Megan Lyne
Megan Lyne - received her Bachelors degree in 2007 from Carthage College (Kenosha, WI) where she earned her degree in Voice Performance and studied with Dr. Richard Sjoerdsma, editor of the National Journal of Singing. Megan recently finished a Master’s degree at the Cole Conservatory, California State University- Long Beach in Opera Performance. While completing her degree, she had the honor of winning the Cole Conservatory Concerto Competition and performed Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the University Orchestra.
In addition to her operatic interests, she has taught enrichment classes in both public and private schools in Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Westchester, and Hermosa Beach. She has directed numerous children’s theater shows including Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods. Megan began teaching ten years ago and has been blessed to work with a premiere South Bay Children’s Theater company called Puttin’ On Productions as well as privately trained students in her own studio. |
Niké St. Clair
Niké St. Clair was born and raised in Hungary. She holds a BM degree in Choral Conducting, Theory and Music Education from the Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary. Niké pursued her dreams to continue with higher education at the USC Thornton School of Music where she received her MM degree in Choral Music and currently is a thesis away from finishing her doctorate in Choral Conducting. She teaches musicianship (ear training) classes with the Hungarian Kodaly method at Azusa Pacific University, conducts choirs at Cal Poly Pomona, choirs and bells at the La Verne Church of the Brethren and at Santa Monica College. In addition to her teaching and conducting duties, Niké sings with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, which performs in Disney Hall, and on some film soundtracks (Avatar; Battle: Los Angeles; 2012; Rite). |
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Complete list of 2011 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 :
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Tom Keyes (Los Angeles)
Tom is a passionate and dedicated a cappella facilitator, event producer, and music director. He is the Director of Operations for A Cappella Academy, and previously has served as the exec. producer of the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, and as director of the Contemporary A Cappella League (while still part of the Contemporary A cappella Society: CASA.org). With a considerable background in performance, vocal, and instrumental music, Tom was bitten by the a cappella bug in 2009 when he decided to create and direct his own group, the award-winning Frequency, and has been a strong advocate of all-vocal music ever since. Still music directing Frequency (vocalfreqs.com) as well as a spiritual center, he balances music, work, and family, and lives with his wife and three children in South OC.
tom.keyes@vocalfreqs.com
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