2022 Participating Groups
 | | Flannel Folk
Flannel Folk is a contemporary acappella group based in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, where they have become a household name due to their constant sharing of their passion for music. Their own unique arrangements showcase complex musicality and a fun, energetic flair. They have performed in the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, at local festivals, on local and international radio stations, and on a side stage prior to both Lee Brice and Trace Adkins. Founded in 2018, they look forward to many more years of performing!
Members: Renee Bilsborough, Hailey Bault, Robert Danner, Edward Sherman, John Sherman
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Impromptu
Impromptu is an 8 member contemporary a cappella group based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in May of 2017, several members met at Ball State University or were good friends who wanted to come together, hang out and make music. Their unique sound is the result of a tight and soulful blend, some R&B and Jazz influences and a little sensuality.
Members: Andrea Greene, Edric Mitchell, Trevor Barnes, Derek Hutchinson, Johnnie Hughes
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 | | Lake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive started in May, 2021 and on September 18th, 2021 was crowned the Illinois District of the Barbershop Harmony Society 2021 Quartet Champions. Lake Shore Drive's musical variety encompasses the heart and soul of the Chicago music scene from Blues, Rock and Roll and of course Barbershop.
Members: Steve Davis, Jeff Lathom, Greg Lee, Steve Schoultz
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Minor Mischief
Though the quintet itself is new, all of its musicians have been singing together for almost ten years, beginning their musical journeys together within the Vocal Jazz ensembles at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. With UMD Vocal Jazz, they have performed in over 50 concerts together, including most prominently as an opening act at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York, and in St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick, Ireland.
Members: Anna Torgerson - Soprano, Christina Case - Alto, Ricky Pierce - Tenor, Nate Ringdal - Bass, Luke Ericksen - VP
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 | | Noteworthy A Cappella
Noteworthy is an all-gender A Cappella group at The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 2014. Noteworthy is a competitive group, and they most recently competed in the ICCA 2022 quarterfinals. This group loves to perform for the Austin community as well as around UT. Members range from those with over 15 years of musical experience to those who have never read sheet music - the best "shower singers" from all across their campus. As a diverse group, where every voice is heard, each member is valued for what they bring to the table.
Members: Jessica Lam, Ella Moody, Ritu Karivaradasamy, Delaney Glosser, Sachi Kulkarni, Ash Murali, Hanjing Chen, Madison Stork, Rohun Rajaram, Spencer Simmons, Liam Miller, Sawad Kazi
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Polarity
Polarity, Waverly High School's premiere a cappella ensemble, is excited to return to the Harmony Sweepstakes family! Polarity meets after school twice a week to provide a quality a cappella experience to Waverly High School's students. This highly competitive group performs in the community, at school events, private parties, and local competitions. Coming from all paths of the high school, Polarity instantly clicked. The group includes varsity athletes, theatre enthusiasts, honors students, marching band members, and active community members. Though pop a cappella has not gained popularity in southern Ohio, these students demonstrate their love and commitment to the art of making music! Hey, we're just a bunch of small-town kids that like to sing!
Members: Jayda Whitt, Sophie Thomas, Kaitlyn Miller, Jayden Steele, Carson Kittaka, Carson Moore, Jack Pfeifer, Grace Dickerson, Noah Clifton
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 | | Remedy
Remedy comes from different ends of Ohio to form the University of Dayton's first a cappella group. When they are not captivating their audience, Remedy enjoys spending time together as a group. From many walks of life and representing a vast number of majors, the group discovered camaraderie and harmony instantly. Remedy hopes to entertain and captivate the audience with their memorable performances.
Members: Chris Hemsath, Angelo Knight, Andrew Villasenor, Jeremy Page, Josalyn Abrams, Kayleah Shiland, Natalie DiPietro, Cameron Page, Jennifer Rosio
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Uprising
Uprising is a contemporary a cappella group with a rock edge. Uprising was formed at the end of 2021 and is comprised of seasoned vocalists from across the Southeast Wisconsin area. They are here to share with you their take on familiar rock, indie, alt, and pop tunes.
Members: Chris Gallego, Stephen Lanza, Dave Zapp, Mei Chang, Genny Clements, Taylor May Bulanek, Julie Zhao
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2022 Judges
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Morgen Briana
Morgen Briana is a one-of-a-kind show-stopping performer guaranteed to spark passion and joy in all who watch her in her element. Having been enrolled in dance lessons by the age of five, piano lessons by six, and voice lessons by seven, she has over 25 years of experience mastering the art of music, dance, and performance. Originally from Minnesota, Morgen chose to make Chicago her home and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with honors and a concentration in vocal performance. Morgen has performed at prestigious venues/fests such as Carnegie Hall in NY, Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Vic Theater, Aragon Theater, and House of Blues in Chicago, just to name a few. As a sought-after and trusted vocalist of Chicago, she has had the honor of sharing the stage alongside artists such as Koko Taylor, Louisiana Red, Buddy Guy, Styx, Everclear, Steve Augeri of Journey, Rusted Root, and Randall Hall of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Morgen is currently the bandleader and lead singer of Spoken Four, the internationally traveled, award-winning cover band. She is also the proud owner of ChiVibe Inc. which offers marketing consulting, coaching, and more. |
John Michael Coppola
John Michael Coppola is the founder, artistic director, and lead singer of the smash-hit tribute concert The Four C Notes: Recreating the Music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Over the past eight years, The Four C Notes have grown under John’s direction from a local Chicago-based act to an internationally touring sensation. The Four C Notes can be seen performing at theaters and outdoor festivals in the Chicagoland area and across the US, and now on the high seas aboard Celebrity Cruises. JMC also created his own solo show, A Jersey Voice; Sinatra to Springsteen…and Everyone in Between. A veteran of multiple theatre productions, John has performed in such shows as She Loves Me, 42nd Street, Flight of The Lawnchair Man, Hot Shoe Shuffle, and Singin’ in the Rain. Most notably, John was a part of the entire two-year run of the Chicago company of the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys. |
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Susan Mathein
Susan Mathein has worked as a professional vocalist, actress and spokesperson for over 25 years. She was born and raised in New Hope, Pennsylvania and performed in many regional and off-broadway theatres and was a featured soloist on tour with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Since moving to Chicago, she has performed with the Light Opera Works, the vocal jazz quartets Blue Skies and Cooler by the Lake, and the vocal ensembles The Lakeside Singers and The Caroling Party. She has also recorded numerous demos for music publishing houses and has been featured in several National television commercials and independent films. She is most proud, however, of her 2 beautiful children and her incredible husband. |
Daniel Tatar
Daniel Tatar is an actor and musician who gained worldwide exposure for his work on television (Grey’s Anatomy, CSI:NY, 90210, This Is Us). He created and sang with The Company Men, “America’s favorite mashup group,” including a residency in Los Angeles, venues such as Nokia LIVE and Jazz at Lincoln Center, and morning TV appearances nationwide such as Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family. Regional stage credits include Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s premiere of The Ballad of Little Jo, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Fervio in the Carnegie Hall concert of Eric Whitacre’s Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings. It all started in a cappella, with the University of Illinois Xtension Chords! |
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Chris Brown
Chris Brown is one of the most popular a cappella singers in the Chicagoland area. Best known as the baritone (aka “Blue Guy”) of the colorful Chicago-based classic rock quartet Ac•Rock, Chris has recorded eight a cappella albums and performed thousands of shows. Ac•Rock disbanded in 2017 after an amazing 24 year run. Today, Chris serves as the contemporary worship music director at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Naperville, sings bass in The Caroling Party, and is the lead singer of the band Mixtape Junkies.
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Complete list of 2022 participants
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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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David Wilner (Chicago)
David Wilner is a singer, songwriter, pianist and DJ who has been performing in the Chicago area for over two decades. David's a cappella career began with the University of Illinois Xtension Chords where he won a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for vocal arranging. David went on to sing professionally with the popular Chicago-based vocal rock band Blind Man's Bluff where he toured nationally for six years and recorded five albums. David competed in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes with both Blind Man's Bluff and Fiveplay, winning First Place, Audience Favorite, and Best Original Song with each group. David twice took Third Place at the National Finals, once winning the award for Best Original Song. Today, David is on stage as often as possible: performing as a solo artist, leading events as a DJ, singing in the classic rock quartet Ac·Rock, spreading holiday cheer in The Caroling Party,, and releasing his inner "Jersey Boy" in the Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tribute band The Four C Notes. Outside of music, David enjoys chasing after his two kids, coaching soccer, and cheering for his beloved Chicago Cubs.
P.O. Box 4502, Naperville, IL 60567
847-226-3366
david@davidwilner.com
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