2013 Participating Groups
Flipside
Just like it takes the right combination of notes to make up great music, it takes the right blend of voices to make that music come alive! These folks had already been singing all over Southern California for many years when they decided to get together and pool their talents into one great sound. With a wide range of musical styles and a passion for those tight vocal harmonies, this group makes for a diverse, exciting, and extremely enjoyable a cappella experience.Members: Colleen Cowley, Jay Welch, Linda Cicino, Kenny Kurtz
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 | | Honey Whiskey Trio
Honey Whiskey Trio blends sounds and styles from folk, bluegrass and jazz. This trio found its roots in the vocal jazz department of CSU Long Beach where the members all studied with Christine Guter, though at different times. Years later, well into their own careers as musicians and educators, the need for a new outlet for musical exploration brought Courtney, Ann and Christina together and the Honey Whiskey Trio was formed.Members: Ann Louise Thaiss, Christina Wilson, Courtney Gasque
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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: Jenny Gruen, Tiffani Call, Tyler Rivera Stein, Nate George, Christopher Thaxter, Matt Atkin, Tessa VonderHaar
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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: Laura Jackman, Janette La Bella, Dakota Lee Martinez, Phil Azelton, Richard Gilinsky, Allison Butler
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Traffic Jam
Traffic Jam drives all over Southern California to perform for you at county fairs, farmers markets, festivals, competitions, coffee shops, open mic nights, holiday parties, and private functions. TJ's out-of-the-box arrangements and chill attitude make every show fascinating, fun, and always worth the drive.Members: Carmen Sicherman, Sara Steinberg, Tavis Larkham, Paul Mendoza, Ryan Berman, Richard Kennedy, Joanna Silverman
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 | | Unnecessary Breakdowns
Unnecessary Breakdowns is a mixed a cappella group performing Top 40 radio hits and classic pop standards. They have performed for the past 2 seasons at a well-known Southern California theme park and have become an entertainment staple in Hollywood and West Hollywood clubs and performance venues. They have recently released their first music video and are currently working on their first studio album.Members: Jessie Norman, Alyssa Grant, David Kenny, Tuck Atkins, Alex Smith, Chester McCurry, Kathleen Paul
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Veritas A Cappella
L.A.'s hot new seven member a cappella vocal band - is here to entertain you! Veritas covers all styles of music, with a strong Indie pop/rock foundation. Their innovative arrangements coupled with an amazing combination of voices is something that should not be missed. Veritas will not only give you vivacious vocal solos, but your ears will be treated to a veritable variety of drums, electric guitars, trumpets, and a booming bass that will rattle the floorboards. This eclectic group of dynamic vocalists delivers a spectacular show you'll have to experience first-hand.Members: Jessie Norman, Emily Morris, Jeremy Hitch, Nick Tubbs, Richie Ferris, Sean P. Gorecki, Ashlyn Kindberg
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 | | Voices A Cappella
Voices - is an a cappella singing ministry currently in it's sixth year. Of the many performances they have opened for Take 6, sung the National Anthem for the minor league baseball team the 66ers, and have worked with various charities and community events. They participate in the annual "Festival of Lights" Christmas celebration at Mission Inn, Riverside, California. The five member group sings a variety of styles such as spirituals, jazz, Christian contemporary, and gospel. They also do original pieces and arrangements of familiar songs.Members: Melanie Richardson, Kandace Fields, Hyomara Homs, Anthony Paschal,Sr., Reggie Paschal
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2013 Judges
Johnny D. Figueroa
Johnny D. Figueroa is the founder, artistic director, and bass vocalist for NOTA, the Latin vocal band sensation and winners of the nationally acclaimed NBC/SONY a cappella competition "The Sing-Off". Introduced to the wonders of choral and barbershop music by his parents, Johnny became passionate for vocal harmony since an early age. He received formal training in Music Performance and Voice. During the past 20 years, he has had extensive experience singing, performing, voiceovers, radio, and touring with several award-wining choirs and vocal groups. His hobby is to manage a Neurophysiology Research Laboratory and teach medical courses at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
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Bradley Hampton
Bradley’s professional relationship with a cappella goes back to 1992 when, while in college, he sang in a group at Disney World called Vocal Works. After graduating from the University of Miami in 1994 he moved to Chicago to become a touring member of Blind Man’s Bluff. After a couple years on the road he decided to move to LA and immediately joined a new group called Sixth Wave. Composed of LA session singers, they went on to win the 2001 Los Angeles and National Harmony Sweepstakes. Along with that group he joined another startup group with the legendary Dick Van Dyke called The Vantastix. While Sixth Wave made it as far as 2013, the Vantastix are still going strong after 19 years with a young 93 year-old Van Dyke. Along the way he’s sung in numerous a cappella groups on and off screen including shows like 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 to hundreds of films, television shows, albums, commercials, and video games. Eric is thrilled to be part of the always impressive LA a cappella community and can’t wait to hear the latest it has to offer. |
John Sherburn
John Sherburn has been in the entertainment business for over 40 years having had appearances on Cheers, Arrested Development, Johnny Carson Show, Neil Diamond’s Christmas Special, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Ferris Beullers Day Off and the list goes on. John has provided backup singing and voice over for Hannah Barbera, Neil Diamond, Ann Bancroft, The Diamonds for 3 years, and produced his own CD of Jazz favorites. John has appeared in productions of The Music Man, and Carousel. John has performed in England, Germany, China, Japan, Canada, South America, and at Carniegy Hall. John is currently studying acting in Los Angeles at the Gregory Solbeck-Berger Studio. |
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Fletcher Sheridan
has been singing professionally since the age of 13. He has made a name for himself in the LA session scene and a jack of all trades. From baroque to pop, vocal jazz to French chanson, overtone singing to beat boxing, Fletcher provides a level of musical versatility that is rare. He has sung on over 200 projects for film and television, most recently for Zootopia, Sing, and The Jungle Book. He is a member of the vocal jazz quartet True North, and is music director of the a cappella group M-Pact. |
 
Complete list of 2013 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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