DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome to Varsity Vocals’ 30th season! After more than a quarter century of presenting the best student groups on the stage and in the studio, our enthusiasm for the art of a cappella is greater than ever.

Our tournaments have grown from a handful of events to the massive showcase they are today, currently featuring more than 730 groups and around 12,000 singers at over 85 events across North America and the United Kingdom.

Our original tournament inspired the hit movie, "Pitch Perfect," based on the nonfiction book documenting the true story of rival groups competing in our very own ICCA. The "Pitch Perfect" franchise remains the highest-grossing cinematic musical series of all time.

Despite the incredible growth and mainstream popularity we’ve enjoyed, our focus remains sharply on the promotion and development of the talent that crosses our stage. We believe competition fosters growth, as groups work together toward a specific goal and cultivate lifelong skills and relationships.

We provide insightful feedback from our highly qualified judges, but more importantly, our singers get to connect with a larger audience from across the country, learning from their peers and finding inspiration from other groups.  

We have seen a cappella make great strides from where it began on our stage 30 years ago and can’t wait to see how our 2026 competitors continue to push the envelope. Committed to promoting our singers and energized by the incredible music they create, we look forward to another memorable season. Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,

Amanda Newman
Executive Director

ICCA GREAT LAKES QUARTERFINAL

University of Michigan
Saturday, February 21st, 2026

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ABOUT VARSITY VOCALS

Since 1996, we have encouraged students worldwide to sing a cappella throughout their lives. Our programs include both the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), and the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). We also annually produce The Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) and The Best of High School A Cappella (BOHSA) compilation albums.

Our a cappella competitions give top-notch a cappella groups the opportunity to showcase their talents for an international audience and to take home valuable feedback from our qualified judges. This year, competing groups will appear in venues all around the world, offering their energetic musical performances for your enjoyment.

The college tournament, now in it's 30th year, takes place from January through April in nine regions across the country and around the world. Each region holds four or five Quarterfinals, and the top groups from each Quarterfinal advance to the Semifinal. The winning group at each Semifinal is named Regional Champion and advances to the ICCA Finals at The Town Hall in New York City on Saturday, April 25th.

The high school tournament is now in its 21st year. The winners of each of seven Semifinal rounds will advance to the ICHSA Finals at The Town Hall in New York City on Friday, April 24th.

 For a full tournament schedule, visit us at www.varsityvocals.com/events

ABOUT TONIGHT'S SHOW

The performance order was determined by random draw this afternoon and will be announced from stage.

Tonight’s performers will be evaluated on elements of their vocal and visual performance, which carry numerical weight. The highest and lowest score from the individual judges will be dropped for each group. Our judges may recognize exceptional performances with special awards as they see fit.

There will be a 15-minute intermission. After the final group has performed, a guest performer will entertain you while the scores are tabulated.

Because each group only has 10 minutes to perform, we ask you to keep your applause to an enthusiastic minimum between songs. Please feel welcome to applaud as much as you want after each group has finished its set.

Videotaping and non-flash photography for personal use is permitted during the concert, so long as you do not disrupt our performers or other patrons. Due to licensing regulations, we do not provide a video or audio recording of this performance.

TONIGHT'S COMPETITORS

Counterpoint is Loyola University Chicago's only competitive a cappella group. Founded in 2017, 2026 marks their sixth year competing in the ICCA. Known for their original arrangements and choreography, every member has arranged at least one song during their time in the group. When they're not belting at Katseye Karaoke or printing life-size cardboard cutouts of group members, you can find Counterpoint hanging out with their beloved group puppy, Evermore. Fun fact: about half the group is brand-new this year! Warm welcome to the counterbabies! 

Euphoria is a nationally recognized, award-winning competitive a cappella group from Grand Valley State University. This advanced mixed ensemble frequently performs at events across campus and throughout the Grand Rapids community. Founded in 2006, Euphoria is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has made its mark at competitions across the country, including ICCA, VoiceJam, SoJam, and Boston Sings (BOSS). Recent accomplishments include placing 1st at VoiceJam in Fayetteville, Ark., in 2023 and,advancing to their fourth ICCA Semifinal in 2024. Outside of rehearsals, Euphoria loves spending time together, playing games, going on adventures, and bringing the house down for Karaoke Tuesday at Main Street Pub. This group is tight-knit, fun-loving, and passionate about sharing their craft. When you listen to Euphoria perform, they hope you’ll experience Euphoria yourself! Check out their Instagram @euphoriagvsu to stay connected! 

(G)imble is an all-gender a cappella group from the University of Michigan. The group is composed of passionate people with diverse interests who share a common love for singing and dedication to the group. They are known for their eclectic musical interests and repertoire, original arrangements performed with soul and spunk, and harmonious balance of working hard and having fun! They are known to frequent places around Ann Arbor like the Value World thrift store, the Huron river cabin, Spiedo, the Duderstadt library and recording studios, Planet Rock, Argus Farm Stop, and Nichols Arboretum. In addition to rehearsing, performing, and hanging out, Gimble also records some of their arrangements every year and they’re available on Spotify and Apple Music! Please welcome (g)imble A Cappella!

Gold Vibrations is an a cappella group from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. specializes in groovy tunes and good vibes! They sing the likes of Sammy Rae & The Friends, Harry Styles, Beyonce, and anything else they can make their own. When they’re not rehearsing, you can find them at their local Applebees, enjoying some of their favorite half-off apps! Gold Vibrations is composed of 17 members and they perform at gigs and events around campus and put on their own concerts throughout the year! 

Maize Mirchi is the University of Michigan’s premier fusion a cappella group. Performing locally on and off campus and touring all across the nation, they operate by the motto "South Asian-inspired, but never required." They incorporate elements of South Asian and Western music to create a unique a cappella sound and aspire to build a beautiful, musically inclined family, full of love and mutual respect. Outside of singing, they love to spend time remixing arrangements into rap songs and making 3 a.m. Taco Bell runs. Check out Maize Mirchi on Instagram, YouTube, and all streaming services! 

Melodytroit is Wayne State University’s only a cappella group on campus, right in the heart of Detroit. This is their third year performing at ICCA and they are so excited to be back. Throughout the school year, they sing in different places on campus and in the city, relishing every performance opportunity. The group has experienced massive growth in the past year, hosting around 40 auditions, reaching 34 singers (combining competitive and non-competitive members), and creating a new aca-family. This means that they are sometimes gifted with a singular siren during warmups from their new, large sound. The group represents diverse backgrounds and majors, but they share a love for singing and performing onstage. At Melodytroit rehearsals, they can drop the spreadsheets, equations, and reports from their brains and indulge in laughter, music, and community. Melodytroit is grateful and honored to be representing Wayne State University and the city of Detroit in the ICCA.They hope you enjoy their set! 

On The Rox (est. 2003) is Central Michigan University's only all-treble a cappella group. Made up of 18 undergrad singers, they love to bond as a group and enjoy performing at Central and throughout the community. OTR is excited to be competing at ICCA again this year and is ecstatic to share the culmination of their work. 

The Sopranos is a fun-loving, tight-knit treble a cappella group at the University of Michigan. The group members come from all over campus, but are united by shared goals of musical excellence and creating long-lasting friendships. Founded in 2001, The Sopranos compete annually in the ICCA and won an Outstanding Arrangement award in 2017 for their entire set. 

State of Fifths is an award-winning co-ed a cappella group, founded in fall 2008 at Michigan State University. The group consists of undergraduate students from all different majors who come together to make innovative heartfelt music and incredible memories. They arrange and perform a wide variety of music and work hard to sound their best for every gig, concert, and competition. 

Hailing from Northwestern University, The Treblemakers is the university’s premier East Asian-interest a cappella group, dedicated to sharing the power of music across cultures and languages. Founded in 2004, The Treblemakers strive to perform a wide range of genres, from pop to R&B to indie, and to musically represent a diverse array of East Asian languages, including Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, and more. Beyond Northwestern’s campus, The Treblemakers have taken their music across the globe, most recently touring in Singapore last year. The group most recently competed in the 2024 ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals and took 3rd place. The Treblemakers are thrilled to be back for the 2026 ICCA season!

GUEST PERFORMER

The G-Men, or Gentlemen for long, is an all-male a cappella group at the University of Michigan. Founded in 1995, The G-Men have performed for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, sang the national anthem for the Detroit Pistons and Tigers, competed in four ICCA Finals, and entertained audiences throughout the Ann Arbor community, the state of Michigan and around the country. They are all extraordinarily humble, work out a lot, and are super charismatic. When not performing, you can catch The G-Men having sauna nights, comparing triceps, or taking board games way too seriously.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Lyndsay Burke is a passionate musician, educator, and arts advocate. In her college years, she served as music director and arranger for The University of Michigan DJs, who regularly competed in the ICCA. She holds a Bachelor of Music in voice performance and music education and began her career as a music educator in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. She later earned her M.B.A. and M.Ed from the University of Virginia and currently works as a strategy and transactions consultant. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Seven Mile Music, supporting access to music, art, and coding education for public school students in Detroit. She continues to teach music and perform throughout Michigan and remains dedicated to empowering young musicians through a cappella!

Dr. Joshua S. Duchan, Ph.D., is an ethnomusicologist specializing in American popular music. An ICCA adjudicator for over 20 years, he is the author of “Powerful Voices: The Musical and Social World of Collegiate A Cappella,” the first book-length scholarly study of a cappella’s music and culture, as well as numerous other articles about a cappella. His other research focuses on the music of Billy Joel, including multiple interviews with the iconic singer-songwriter that have resulted in two books, “Billy Joel: America’s Piano Man” and “‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’: Billy Joel and Popular Music Studies.” In college, Josh sang with The University of Pennsylvania Counterparts. While pursuing his doctorate, he joined and directed Amazin’ Blue, the University of Michigan’s oldest co-ed a cappella group, and two of his arrangements for the group were featured on BOCA compilations. He is now Professor of Music and Associate Chair of the Department of Music at Wayne State University (Detroit, Mich.), where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music history, world music, American music, and popular music.

Conductor, composer, and bass-baritone Dusty Francis enjoys an active career as a performer, clinician, and educator across the United States and the United Kingdom. He currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor and Artistic Director of Out Loud Chorus. Past roles have included musical leadership of the New York City Master Chorale, London's The Fourth Choir, and the Brooklyn-based Park Slope Singers, and teaching positions with the American School in London and Collegiate School. Recent seasons have included performances at esteemed venues including Shakespeare’s Globe, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. When he isn't on the conducting podium, Dusty has sung with some of America’s finest professional choral ensembles, including True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and the Manhattan Chorale. Recent solo engagements have spanned styles and periods ranging from Bach to Puccini and Schubert to Sondheim. Dusty holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Xavier University in Cincinnati. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the International Conductors Guild, and the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries. 

Michell Lazarow has over a decade of experience in a cappella music, including serving as music director for The Ohio State of Mind and No Comment. He reached the ICCA Finals with both groups, earning a 4th place finish in 2024. Along the way, he’s received accolades including four Outstanding Arrangement awards, an Outstanding Vocal Percussion award, and nominations for both the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) and A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs). Mitchell currently serves on the Production and Events and Education teams at Cut Off Studios, and helps groups across the country prepare for competitions.

Sarah Maskill fell in love with a cappella two weeks after joining her college group at her first big performance: the ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal! She is a former bass and business manager of Michigan State University's Ladies First. During her time with Ladies First she produced two EPs, was nominated for a CARA, and was fortunate enough to advance to ICCA Great Lakes Semifinals three times. She has since workshopped with many groups in the Midwest region, performed at The Open with her group, Revel, and currently runs the Artist in Residence program at A Cappella University. You may have also seen her behind a camera at Varsity Vocals events and Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) festivals.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank the University of Michigan, Lisa Burm, Jaykob Archer, Frank Mendes, The Michigan G-Men, and Joseph Aquino; our judges, hosts, competitors, volunteers, partners, and producers; and you, the audience, for supporting Varsity Vocals programming.

Amanda Newman
 Executive Director

Elise Hackl-Blumstein
ICHSA Director
PA/MA Program Coordinator

Dave Rabizadeh
 ICCA Director

Emily Sucher
 Director of Publications

Lucy Jacobs
 Senior Producer, ICCA & ICHSA West

Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
 Senior Producer, ICCA South

Arvin Zabalerio
Senior Producer, ICCA Central

Gemma Witham
Producer, ICCA United Kingdom

Rebecca Williamson
Producer, ICCA Northeast

Adam McNeil
Producer, ICHSA Great Lakes

Valentyna Simon
Producer, ICHSA West

Ben Garza
Producer, ICHSA Southwest

Bryce McCracken
 Associate Producer, ICCA Central

Angelina Corbin
 Associate Producer
ICCA & ICHSA South

Sara Yood
Senior Producer, ICCA & ICHSA Finals

Emily Flanders
Director of Adjudication
 Senior Producer, ICCA Great Lakes

Andrew Poole
 Director of Digital Media

Charlotte Taylor
Marketing & Social Strategy

Holli Kitching
Senior Producer, ICCA Mid-Atlantic

Leah Alrutz
 Senior Producer, ICCA Midwest

Alaina Wegner
Producer, ICCA Southwest

Christopher Witham
 Producer, ICCA United Kingdom

Jillian Kimberlin
 Senior Producer, ICHSA Mid-Atlantic

Christopher Hoffman
 Producer, ICHSA Northeast

Jake Yoakum
Producer, ICHSA West

Nicole Palmetto
Associate Producer, ICCA Northeast

Tyandria Jaaber
Associate Producer, ICCA Mid-Atlantic

McKinley Thoreson
 Associate Producer
ICHSA Great Lakes

OUR TEAM

We have an amazing team of people who work tirelessly to make our programs so valuable for our singers and audiences alike — and they all do it while holding down full-time day jobs, too!

The top two placing groups at this event will advance to the 2026 ICCA Great Lakes Semifinal. 

BRING THE HARMONY HOME

Find your favorite groups on The Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) and The Best of High School A Cappella (BOHSA), available for purchase on Apple Music and Amazon Music!

#ICCA