THE BLENDERS
Minnesota
The Blenders are a vocal quartet based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, known for their a cappella harmonies and Christmas music. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, the group consists of Tim Kasper, Ryan Lance, Darren Rust, and Allan Rust. They have been active since 1992 and have toured with notable acts like Jay Leno, Howie Mandel, and Blues Traveler.
BUSINESS CASUAL
California
Business Casual is a dynamic five-member a cappella vocal band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are celebrated for their innovative and genre-swapped covers of popular songs, drawing inspiration from artists like Postmodern Jukebox and Scary Pockets. The group consists of Jacob Chamoun: Bass, arranger, and manager, Michael Wang: Vocal percussionist and gig manager,
Roshun Alur: Tenor and audio engineer, Cassandra Chamoun: Alto, arranger, and manager, Leslie Baker: Soprano and social media manager.
CLUB FOR FIVE
Finland
Club for Five is a renowned a cappella group from Finland, formed in Helsinki in 2011. The group consists of five members: Maija Sariola (soprano), Saima Haapanen (alto), Jouni Kannisto (tenor), Juha Viitala (baritone), and Tuukka Haapaniemi (bass).
They are celebrated for their unique singing style and diverse repertoire, which includes pop, jazz, rock, folk, and classical music. They have performed internationally, captivating audiences with their heartfelt interpretations and virtuosic performances.
JAZZAPPELLA
Romania
Jazzappella is a Romanian a cappella jazz sextet formed in Bucharest in late 2011. The group consists of six vocalists: Ana-Cristina Leonte, Ana Băncescu, Elena Moroșanu, Zoltán András, Bogdan Tudor, and Mihail Grigore. They are known for their contemporary jazz repertoire, which includes jazz standards, pop hits, and originals.
JOYFUL 6
India
Joyful 6 is a talented group of six siblings from India known for its cappella performances and covers of popular songs. The group consists of Jessica, Jeziah, Jesse, Joshua, Joanna, and Johan, the children of Shegin and Smitha. The a cappella proclaims the gospel and the value of life. Joyful 6 gained popularity through their heartfelt renditions of Christmas carols and other songs. Their notable covers include “Mary Did You Know” and "Carol of the Bells."
MAYTREE
South Korea
Maytree is a South Korean a cappella group known for their unique vocal performances and creative sound effect covers. The group was formed in 2000 by members of a university, a cappella club called “Gigahitz.” The members of Maytree are Jang Sang-in (S.I.) - Vocal percussion, Kang Soo-kyung (Soo) - Alto, Kwon Young-hoon (Hoony) - Tenor, Kim Won-jong - Bass, and Lim Su-yeon (Er!ka) - Soprano
Maytree gained significant popularity in 2021 with their sound effect a cappella videos on YouTube and TikTok, including a medley from the show "Squid Game". Their performances include concerts, TV and radio shows, and an appearance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2022.
THE NISKAS
Minnesota
The Niskas are a musical group known for their modern country and pop vocal harmonies. The group consists of Lorie Carpenter-Niska, Kurt Niska, and Terry Niska. They cover a wide range of songs from various artists, blending their unique style into each performance.
Some of their popular covers include “Leader Of The Band” by Dan Fogelberg and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.
Their music often features tight harmonies and heartfelt arrangements, making their performances memorable and touching.
SAMBARANDA
Brazil
Sambaranda is a Brazilian a cappella group that skillfully blends MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) and jazz. Current members include Nani Valente, Ana Barreto, Rafel Everton, Fredson Torres, Rafael Carneiro, Paulo Santos, and Diego de Jesus. Rafael Carneiro often crafts the group's arrangements.
The group performs songs in Portuguese and English, drawing inspiration from acclaimed ensembles like Take 6 and The Singers Unlimited.
VoicePlay
Florida
VoicePlay is an award-winning a cappella quintet based in Orlando, Florida. The group has dazzled audiences for over a decade with its signature sound, gaining global recognition. The music industry has also praised the group’s unique blend of vocal harmonies and tight choreograpy.
The lineup includes Geoff Castellucci, Cesar De La Rosa, Eliezer “Eli” Jacobson, and Layne Stein. They’ve been featured on national TV and radio throughout the US and have toured extensively for their millions of fans. Most recently, VoicePlay was a finalist in The 2019 Shorty Awards for Best Internet Musician.
Rosana Eckert
Rosana Eckert is a multifaceted vocalist who effortlessly blends tradition and originality. She has recorded alongside Christian McBride, Bobby McFerrin, Marvin Stamm, and the New York Voices. She was one of the vocalists on the Grammy Award-winning composition “Eberhard,” released posthumously by jazz pianist Lyle Mays.
Additionally, Rosana is an educator and the Principal Lecturer of jazz voice at the University of North Texas. Her teaching encompasses jazz lessons, performance techniques, and innovative courses in songwriting and vocal pedagogy.
Alvin Chea
Alvin Chea, also known as “Vinnie,” is the bass vocalist for the renowned a cappella group Take 6. Alvin joined the group five years after its formation and became an integral part of their unique sound.
Over its illustrious career, Take 6 has sold millions of recordings and garnered numerous awards, including ten Grammy Awards.
Their blend of jazz, spiritual, and inspirational lyrics has captivated audiences worldwide. Alvin’s rich bass voice contributes significantly to the group’s exceptional vocal genius.