National A Cappella Convention 2017: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2017 National A Cappella Convention, presented by the A Cappella Education Association and DCINY!

To access a facility map, click here: http://bit.ly/naccmap

9:00am CDT

Director Roundtable

Limited Capacity seats available

Join Rob Dietz and members of the AEA Board of Directors to discuss issues in contemporary a cappella, including group direction, techniques, and how to overcome hurdles!

Moderators

JD Frizzell

President, A Cappella Education Association

J.D. Frizzell is the Director of Fine Arts at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, TN. He earned the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting Degree from the University of Kentucky. He was chosen by the board of the TN Music Educators Association as the 2011 Outstanding... Read More →

Speakers

John DeFerraro

National Treasurer & NACC Choral Festival Coordinator, A Cappella Education Association

John DeFerraro is the Director of Choral Activities at Scott County High School in Georgetown, KY. Under his direction, choirs consistently earn State Distinguished Ratings with Sweepstakes honors, and regularly collaborate with other artists, such as the African Children’s Choir... Read More →

Rob Dietz

Founder/Director, A Cappella Academy

Rob Dietz (he/him) is a multiple CARA winning producer who has been arranging, performing, and critiquing contemporary a cappella music for over ten years. His career began in high school as director of the critically acclaimed group Ascending Height, with whom he produced the first... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Library 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

9:00am CDT

Warm-Ups and Rehearsal Techniques

Limited Capacity seats available

We start this class by going through new warm ups that work the voice, body, mind, and ear. Every warm up is designed to bring the entire person into the sound. Then we delve into how to apply these sounds and techniques to the music!

Speakers

Matt Woodward

Choir Director, MacArthur HS

Co-Director of PFC. Lover of family, food, and bowties. Snobby about coffee.

Saturday April 22, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Choir Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director D: Performers

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

9:00am CDT

Choreography for Non-Choreographers

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Speakers

Thomas 'TeKay' King

Instructor, Southwest TN Community College

I've been in the a cappella world for a long time as a clinician, reviewer, performer, music director, choreographer, writer, arranger, organizer, and producer. So talk to me about anything, if I don't know the answer, I'll connect you to someone who does. I'm that guy.

Post Glee Choreography 2017 pdf

Saturday April 22, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Theatre/Dance Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

D: Performers C: Music Director

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

9:00am CDT

Inclusion in the A Cappella Repertoire

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Brian Clements

Choral Director, Raconteur & Professional Ally. Brian is a veteran music educator in the greater Atlanta area with experience in both public and private schools at the Middle and High School levels including founding and directing the NACC-performing group, Vocally Charged. Brian... Read More →

InclusioninACappellaInformationSheet pdf

Inclusion in A Cappella pdf

Saturday April 22, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Room 121 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

D: Performers C: Music Director

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

11:00am CDT

Allyship in A Cappella

Limited Capacity seats available

A Cappella is art. Artists most often seek to represent truth in some aspect. We posit that in order to represent the most truth in its most authentic representations, allyship is a crucial component of building an utilizing a strong, interconnected a cappella community to tell the most engaging and most representative stories. In this workshop, barriers to accomplishing this goal and techniques to overcome those barriers will be discussed, and there will be opportunities to share successes, failures, fears, and hopes for our community

Speakers

Bryan Guffey

Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Women's A Cappella Association

Bryan Guffey (they/them) has been singing longer than they can remember (seriously, ask their parents). Since forming their first group, 50/50, in high school in 1997, Bryan has been a passionate advocate and believer in the power of vocal music to change lives for the better. After... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 121 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director D: Performers

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

11:00am CDT

Essential Listening

Limited Capacity filling up

An interactive workshop on critical listening, music history, and the tools with which students can transform the world through song!

Speakers

Ben Stevens

Humanist, Catalyst, Alchemist, Trinity University

Dr. Benjamin "The Professor" Stevens is, in fact, a professor: with a Ph.D. in classical languages and literature, he has taught Latin and Greek, literary history, linguistics, and science fiction and fantasy at Bard, Hollins, Bryn Mawr, and the University of Colorado at Boulder... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 116

C: Music Director D: Performers

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

11:00am CDT

Founding a Festival

Limited Capacity seats available

Experienced event producer, Dave Sperandio, has brought to life several of the major a cappella events in the country, including SoJam, BOSS: Boston Sings, and LAAF, the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival. During this session, Dave "Dio" Sperandio will share how you can put together your own event in your city, as well as strategies on how to grow it over time!

Speakers

Dave Sperandio

SoJam Founder, Vocal Mastering

Dave Sperandio has worked for more than 20 years in the vocal music world as a performer, producer, promoter, and advisor. His work has helped to define and support the world of contemporary a cappella music. Dave is the creator / co-creator of the SoJam A Cappella Festival, the ‘Sing... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Theatre/Dance Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director E: Music Industry

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

11:00am CDT

Emotionally Charged Performances

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Over the past few years, J.D. Frizzell and OneVoice have developed a unique 5-step system that is now being emulated by groups around the country. During this session, Dr. Frizzell will lead attendees through this process, which allows for maximum emotional impact. This is achieved through the removal of common barriers to open, honest performance. OneVoice will be serving as a demonstration group.

Speakers

JD Frizzell

President, A Cappella Education Association

Artists

OneVoice

Saturday April 22, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Choir Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director F: Solo Skills

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

1:00pm CDT

From Zero to Hero: Music Director Road Bumps

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will serve as a conversation about how to successfully found a group from the ground up, and how to overcome some of the most common stumbling blocks that face a young group on the collegiate scene.

Since founding Voice Box in 2014, Harrison Acosta has been awarded best/most outstanding arrangement a total of seven times (including ICCA Finals), and have also received most outstanding choreography twice. Voicebox also placed 4th at the 2016 ICCA Finals, and were crowned the 2016 SoJam Champions.

Speakers

Harrison Acosta

Director & Arranger, Voicebox , REMIX & Atlas

Harrison Acosta recently completed his BA Capstone entitled “Capturing Moments in Music feat. The Human Voice.” Originally studying orchestral performance and film score at the UCF School of Performing Arts, he now studies composition, game sound design and music theory in preparation... Read More →

Artists

Voicebox

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 102 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director D: Performers

1:00pm CDT

The AEA Judging System

Limited Capacity seats available

Drew Wheaton, NACC Championships Coordinator, will break down the various elements that go into the scoring and adjudication rubrics for the AEA, used at several festivals across the country!

Speakers

Drew Wheaton

Tenor, 2016 International Gold Medalist, ForeFront

Drew Wheaton, NACC Adjudication Director, is in his 21st year as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He is currently the director of the Thoroughbred Chorus, and Tenor for the 2016 International Gold Medalist Quartet, Forefront. Drew holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Theory from McGill University and a Bachel... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Library 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

1:00pm CDT

Choreo Roundtable

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Thomas "TeKay" King and Bryan Guffey will host an open discussion about choreography techniques for all attendees!

Moderators

Thomas 'TeKay' King

Instructor, Southwest TN Community College

Speakers

Bryan Guffey

Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Women's A Cappella Association

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Theatre/Dance Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director D: Performers

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

1:00pm CDT

Beyond Recording

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Angela Longo

Singer, Producer, MUSAE, The Vocal Company

Angela Longo originally comes from the warm and sunny city of Boynton Beach, FL, but has been hopping all around the country since graduating from Florida State University in 2009. She began her a cappella career at FSU, where she directed the award-winning all-female group, AcaBelles... Read More →

David Longo

Sound Engineer, Chairman, The Vocal Company

Dave Longo is a connector, a talent curator, and a boundary pusher. Since his time as a vocalist in the Northern Highlands Regional High School’s Highlands Voices and RIT’s Eight Beat Measure, Dave has amassed an impressive array of accomplishments. His work can regularly be found... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Choir Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director E: Music Industry

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

1:00pm CDT

Crowdfunding 101

Limited Capacity seats available

Connect with your fans and supporters and launch successful crowdfunding campaigns, how to, tips, tricks, succeed!

Speakers

Danny Ozment

Owner, Engineer, Emerald City Productions

Danny Ozment left his comfy day job 10 years ago when an unexpected life event required him to work from home. He's built a successful business as a recording engineer and producer specializing in podcasts, audio content marketing, and vocal music while working with clients such as... Read More →

Crowdfunding 101 NACC 2017 pdf

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 104 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director E: Music Industry

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

1:00pm CDT

Unleash the SheWolf: Directing for All-Female A Cappella

Limited Capacity filling up

This class will deal with breaking out of comfort zones as a performer to unleash the raw emotion and power of performance. We will start with a group comfort zone breaking challenge with everyone standing up and giving their most primal battle cry and unleashing their inner she(or he)wolf. Once we have broken down barriers as a group, we will break down our own individual barriers. We will list all of the things that scare us about performing like our voices cracking, someone making fun of our dance moves, looking at the audience, singing a note so loud that we stick out and tackle them one by one. I will end the class with a challenge and quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do one thing every day that scares you." Constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the only way to improve as a performer.

Speakers

Ellie Brigida

Tracking and Editing Engineer, Clear Harmonies

Elle Brigida has been singing and arranging for a cappella groups since 2008. She has a passion for unleashing the unlimited potential in new and growing groups. During Elle's time with Vocal Synergy, the all-female a cappella group at Wagner College, the group completed their first... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 119 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director H: Women's A Cappella

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

1:00pm CDT

Creating Contemporary A Cappella in Elementary School

Limited Capacity seats available

Can pop a cappella performance skills be made accessible to 9, 10 and 11 year olds in a credible and vocally safe way? The answer is "yes," if you understand a few things about how younger students learn and how their voices "work". Veteran elementary music teacher Lisa Marien will share how she used her experience with young singers, her learning from the a cappella community and the support of her school administration to create a 17 member contemporary a cappella group as a course offering in her elementary school's music curriculum.

Speakers

Lisa Marien

Music Teacher, Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School

I've taught K-8 general music, chorus and world music drumming since 1985. I am also a jazz vocalist preparing to record my debut CD, and a "lifelong" Take 6 fan. I've started a 4th and 5th grade a cappella group at my arts magnet elementary school this year, and would love to connect... Read More →

Elementary A Cappella Lisa Marien NACC 2017 pdf

Fly Away breakdown sample pdf

Saturday April 22, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 116

C: Music Director I: Arranging

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

3:00pm CDT

What Do Judges Want?

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will focus on what aspects of planning, rehearsing, and performing an a cappella set you should focus on to stand out to judges in competition. We will also use several examples from successful competition sets from the past to illustrate the do's and don't's of building a successful competitive performance.

Speakers

Stephen Hutchings

Stephen Hutchings is a faculty member at Georgia College where he is director of the co-ed contemporary a cappella group, The Cat's Meow. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia and Master of Music Education from Georgia College. At the University of... Read More →

A Cappella Competition Notes REVISED docx

Saturday April 22, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 125 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director D: Performers

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

3:00pm CDT

Great Sound! How to Make Great Recordings on your Own

Limited Capacity filling up

Almost anyone can buy inexpensive recording gear and record themselves these days. And they can SAVE a lot of money by doing so. But how do you use that gear to get a professional sounding recording that a professional editor and mixing engineer can turn into an awesome finished track?

In this session you will LEARN:
- Why great sound is important
- Basic concepts that most "quick start" tutorials miss
- What happens during the steps in the recording process
- How to select your recording location and how to improve it
- Top 10 producing tips for improving your acappella recordings
- What recording rig to buy for under $500 and the gear it involves

Bonus!! - If you attend this session, you'll receive the eBook "10 Ways to Improve Your Acappella Recordings" which goes much more in depth into the topics covered in this session.

Speakers

Danny Ozment

Owner, Engineer, Emerald City Productions

Great Sound ACA NACC 2017 pdf

Saturday April 22, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 104 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director E: Music Industry

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

3:00pm CDT

Producer Roundtable

Limited Capacity seats available

Dave Sperandio, David Longo, and Evan Feist will talk about topics for the recording and producer side of the industry in an open discussion!

Moderators

Dave Sperandio

SoJam Founder, Vocal Mastering

Speakers

Evan Feist

Founder, Creative Vocal Lab

Evan Feist has composed, arranged, taught, and performed a cappella music for more than 15 years. As the founder of the Creative Vocal Lab, Evan has been teaching singers of all ages to improvise in both small and large groups He’s earned two master’s degrees from Teachers College... Read More →

David Longo

Sound Engineer, Chairman, The Vocal Company

Saturday April 22, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Theatre/Dance Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director E: Music Industry

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

3:00pm CDT

Open Masterclass with OneVoice

Limited Capacity seats available

Rob Dietz will work in an open masterclass setting with host group, the award-winning Briarcrest OneVoice.

Speakers

Rob Dietz

Founder/Director, A Cappella Academy

Saturday April 22, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Choir Room 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director F: Solo Skills

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association

3:00pm CDT

Women's Roundtable

Limited Capacity seats available

Led by MUSAE's Angela Longo, this panel of WACA President Amy Malkoff, Bryan Guffey, and Vox Pop's Kirsten Brandler and Anna Fee will have an open discussion about topics regarding women's a cappella of all levels!

Moderators

Angela Longo

Singer, Producer, MUSAE, The Vocal Company

Speakers

Kirsten Brandler

Assistant Music Director / Director, Vox Pop / Nothing But Treble (St. Mary's High School)

Kirsten has been singing with and directing various a cappella groups for over a decade. She first sang with the all-female University of Maryland Treblemakers, serving as the group's music director for 2 years. After graduating from college, Kirsten joined the DC-based CAL group... Read More →

Anna Fee

Anna first started singing a cappella at the University of Virginia with The Virginia Sil'hooettes. After moving to various parts of the country and the world for work and not finding an a cappella outlet, she decided to form her own a cappella groups in Los Angeles and Austin, both... Read More →

Bryan Guffey

Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Women's A Cappella Association

Amy Malkoff

Clinician, Consultant, Amy Malkoff Music

Amy Malkoff, AEA Director of Marketing, is a founding member of the groups All About Buford and Deadline Poet, and she has appeared on stage and in the studio with such luminaries as Wayne Brady, Jonatha Brooke, The Persuasions, Ellis Paul, Vance Gilbert, GrooveLily, Patty Griffin, and Dar Williams. She has a degree in... Read More →

Saturday April 22, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Library 76 S. Houston Levee Road, Eads, TN 38028

C: Music Director H: Women's A Cappella

Host Organization The A Cappella Education Association