2026 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal @ New York Society for Ethical Culture

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 NORTHEAST QUARTERFINAL

New York Society for Ethical Culture
Saturday, March 7th, 2026

WE'RE SOCIAL

We're talking about this event, and all of our events around the world!

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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

The Columbia Clefhangers is Columbia University’s all-gender a cappella ensemble, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. Founded in 1988, The Clefhangers began as one of the first co-ed a cappella groups on campus, united by a shared passion for harmony. This year marks their third consecutive ICCA, and they embrace every opportunity to share their student-arranged sets, blending pop, jazz, rock, and R&B. Over the years, The Clefs have made their mark in competition, including a Runner-Up title at their 2008 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal, along with special awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Vocal Percussion. Onstage and off, The Clefs are a vibrant part of Columbia and New York’s cultural fabric. Beyond performance, this group values inclusion, storytelling, and the belief that music can bridge communities. They have sung at Columbia Class Days, Commencements, university galas, and across the city at events like the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting and the NYC Marathon. This year, they are honored to share their music with the 2026 ICCA audience.

The Cleftomaniacs is New York University’s premier all-treble a cappella group, founded on a strong love for music and an irreplaceable chosen family. The Cleftos, as they call themselves, have been stealing hearts and stirring up treble since 1997, with a diverse group of members ranging from pre-med students to drama majors. Their repertoire ranges from contemporary pop and R&B to classics everyone loves, featuring a signature Cleftos flair that makes every piece completely their own. They placed 2nd at their 2024 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal, earning a spot at Northeast Semifinals for the first time in Cleftos history, in addition to their second consecutive award for Outstanding Choreography. The Cleftomaniacs are ecstatic and grateful to compete in their seventh ICCA this year! Make sure to follow them on Instagram @nyucleftos to stay up to date on upcoming music releases (EP coming soon!) and shows!

Frequency is Pace University’s premier a cappella group. In fall 2017, Frequency was founded to provide a creative outlet for Pace students to nurture their musical gifts. The group offers a welcoming space for students from all different cultures and backgrounds to express their love for music. Frequency earned the Champion title at their 2025 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal Champion and went on to place 4th overall in the 2025 ICCA Northeast Semifinals. Their latest EP, Christmas album, and single are available now on all streaming platforms.

The Hofbeats is an award-winning, mixed-voice collegiate a cappella group from Hofstra University. They pride themselves on being a tight-knit family with a shared love for making music. The group loves performing at on-campus events, invitationals hosted by other groups, and, of course, their own semesterly concerts! Hofbeats members span a variety of majors, from music and education to public relations and economics. While music brings them all together, they also love supporting their fellow Hofbeats in other campus activities, such as recitals, choir concerts, Greek life, and sporting events! Their most recent achievement was having their song, “Will Call,” featured on BOCA 2025. In 2024, The Hofbeats placed 2nd at their ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal and received a special award for Outstanding Soloist. In 2023, they placed 1st at Quarterfinals and earned awards for Outstanding Soloist, Outstanding Choreography, and Outstanding Vocal Percussion. Follow The Hofbeats on all social media platforms @TheHofbeats and stream their EP, Letters, on all streaming platforms! They would like to thank Varsity Vocals for having them and they’re so excited to perform tonight!

Makin’ Treble is Hofstra University’s only all-treble a cappella group, established in 2008. Makin’ Treble is a group of 21 talented, kind, and supportive people who love to sing, have fun, and share in a musical community. This group has competed in the ICCA since 2016, notably placing 3rd at their 2021 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal and 2nd at their 2025 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal last year, advancing to Semifinals for the first time in group history. Makin’ Treble’s repertoire includes a variety of music, all arranged by current members or alumni. They release their music on all streaming platforms, including their most recent EP, Unshaken, which features some of their most popular arrangements. They perform at various events, including concerts, invitationals, and open houses. Makin’ Treble is a seasoned group in front of live audiences and a valued member of Hofstra’s tight-knit a cappella community. They are incredibly excited to continue their ICCA and eager to showcase their talent and passion for singing!

The Mixtapes is a competitive co-ed a cappella group from New York University, and is entirely student-led, student-organized, and student-arranged. Featuring music from artists such as Yebba, Sabrina Carpenter, Silk Sonic, Elton John, and Lizzie McAlpine, The Mixtapes work with singers across various styles and backgrounds to develop a truly unique group sound. They have collaborated with SONY on multiple occasions to sing with touring artists, and have been invited to perform at venues across the Northeast. To follow what they’re up to, check out their performances, trips, collabs, and music on Instagram, Spotify, and Youtube @themixtapesnyu. Without further ado, please welcome The Mixtapes!

The N’Harmonics is a distinguished and versatile all-gender a cappella group at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Their eclectic repertoire spans everything, from current hits to legacy arrangements dating back to the group’s founding in 1997. Coming from various New York creative scenes, The Harmz utilize multidisciplinary storytelling in their performances. Countless Harmz alumni have gone on to have successful careers in the performing arts, including multiple Tony winners and Grammy nominees. Former Harmz have performed in Broadway and touring productions of “Hamilton,” “Cabaret,” “Suffs,” “Wicked,” “Spring Awakening,” “The Great Comet,” “Beetlejuice,” “Sister Act,” and more. Alumni can also be spotted in TV shows, including “Glee,” “The Other Two,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Many alums are also active recording artists, songwriters, and producers. The N’Harmz have an impressive ICCA legacy, including 3rd place in the 2024 Northeast Semifinals, 1st place and Outstanding Soloist at the 2024 New York Quarterfinals, and the title of 2019 ICCA Champion. The group has performed at prestigious venues, including Radio City Music Hall, Yankee Stadium, Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Lincoln Center, The Playstation Theatre, The Beacon Theatre, Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and many colleges in the Northeast.

Sigma'cappella is Hofstra's oldest mixed-voice a cappella group, as well as the greatest group of friends there ever was. Sigma performs a diverse selection of songs from all kinds of artists, all arranged by current group members, giving each piece an authentic connection to the group and its sound. The close friendships within the group are truly the best part of Sigma’cappella. When they’re not busy perfecting their music, Sigma members can be found smiling and laughing together at all hours of the day.

Pace University's Tonal Recall is a co-ed a cappella group based in New York City. The group has competed in the ICCA for several years and continues to grow with each season. This year, Tonal Recall has performed at more campus events than ever before, strengthening their sound, presence, and connection with the Pace and a cappella communities. Known for their dynamic performances and close-knit spirit, Tonal Recall prides itself on creating music that brings people together. The group loves to explore new musical styles and performance opportunities, always striving to deliver heartfelt and engaging shows. Be sure to follow @pace.tonal.recall on Instagram to keep up with performances, events, and future projects.

Vocollision is a competitive co-ed a cappella group at NYU, focused on pushing the boundaries of modern a cappella. They have performed nationwide and released singles, an EP, and music videos. Most recently, they released The Space Set, which is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms. Over the past four years, Vocollision advanced to ICCA Northeast Semifinals, earned 1st place at their 2024 Quarterfinal, and won numerous special awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Outstanding Vocal Percussion, and Outstanding Choreography. Voco is a family that loves to chill and have fun together, but is ready to kick ass when the time comes! Please check out their Instagram @vocollision!

GUEST PERFORMER

VICE A Cappella is an all-woman, pop-centered project of NYC-based a cappella professionals. Originally established as a five-member vocal band in 2019, VICE has been rooted in four pillars throughout its evolution: Versatility. Innovation. Collaboration. Education. VICE serves as a creative home for vocal music veterans who perform in cohorts of five singers, including bass, vocal percussion, and an upper trio. With this model, you never know who you might see onstage. Every show is a new adventure, with each member bringing her own flair to VICE's eclectic repertoire. The ensemble frequently performs at venues large and small in New York and beyond, committed to its cornerstone mission of showcasing the power of vocal music and gender parity in the arts. VICE is a featured ensemble with music education nonprofit Midori & Friends, bringing vocal music accessibly to New York City public schools. They are a multi-time Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) nominee, and current runner-up at the Canadian National A Cappella Championship Finals. For more, check out www.viceacappella.com and follow @viceacappella.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Harrison Acosta is composer, sound designer, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator based in Boston. Harrison originally studied film score and vocal pedagogy at the UCF School of Performing Arts. Two years later, he founded and directed UCF’s Voicebox. Under his direction, they attended the 2016 ICCA Finals and were crowned the 2016 SoJam and 2018 Boston Sings (BOSS) Champions. Harrison has earned 10 Outstanding Arrangement awards (including ICCA Finals, BOSS, and SoJam) and four CARAs. After completing his capstone thesis, "Capturing Moments in Music feat. the Human Voice," he studied at the Contemporary Writing and Production program at Berklee College of Music. Since graduating, he has been working as music director and orchestrator for “Once Upon A Carnival” at the New Works Festival in Boston. He also can be spotted on AcaVille TV’s aca-competition talk show, “The Winning Edge!”

Steven Alexander is a graduate of the University of Miami's Frost School of Music with a degree in music education. While there, he led the award-winning a cappella group BisCaydence to a 2nd place finish at the 2019 ICCA Finals. He served as an associate conductor with the Miami Children's Chorus and at the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. His passion for a cappella and vocal continues to this day, and he actively serves as a clinician for groups around the country. Steven recently completed a dual M.A./M.B.A. at the Eastman School of Music/Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.

Yang Chen (he/him) is a Chinese-Canadian musical theatre producer, music director, arranger, and vocal coach based in New York City. He loves bringing people together to make joyful, ambitious vocal music. At the University of Waterloo (Systems Design Engineering and Music), Yang founded, directed, arranged for, choreographed, and performed with the award-winning a cappella groups, The Committee and In Full Color, advancing both to ICCA Central Semifinals and earning a Semifinal Runner-Up finish. He also co-founded the Canadian A Cappella Conference (CANACC), which brought together hundreds of collegiate singers for the first time. In New York, he co-produced and co-directed the award-winning show, “In Harmony,” which sold out at the 2024 NYC Fringe Festival before running Off-Broadway at Playhouse 46. Favorite performance credits include Princeton in “Avenue Q” and Peter in “bare: A Pop Opera." Yang is happiest when collaborating with fellow artists and is currently co-writing an original musical. He also loves the spontaneity of improvised a cappella and sang with Gaia Music Collective and as Flow Labs’ spring 2025 cohort. @yanginginthere

Candice Helfand-Rogers, a longtime Varsity Vocals judge, has been active in the a cappella community for decades. At Rutgers University, she sang with and music-directed Deep Treble, then went on to help found and direct ShockWave, leading the latter group to ICCA Finals in its first year. After graduating, she co-founded semi-professional a cappella group Restated (formerly known as The Red States) and served as its musical director for several years. She garnered multiple awards for her onstage and studio contributions to these groups as a soloist, arranger, and choreographer. In addition, Candice is a session singer whose voice can be heard in Universal Studios' hit a cappella movies, "Pitch Perfect" and "Pitch Perfect 2,” as well as in numerous ad campaigns. Candice now sings with several New York City ensembles, including Broadway Inspirational Voices and Ghostlight Chorus, as well as the choir at First Unitarian in Brooklyn, where she is a section leader. She has also been a featured performer at venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Minskoff and New Victory Theaters. Outside of her musical endeavors, Candice is a journalist and an extremely proud mom.

Kelsey Stanker is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and jazz studies. As a member of the co-ed a cappella group No Comment, she served as arranger, choreographer, and music director, leading the group to their first-ever ICCA Semifinals and Finals appearances and earning Outstanding Soloist honors along the way. Since graduating, Kelsey performed professionally worldwide, including as a featured vocalist on the Pentatonix self-titled album, before transitioning to the business side of the music industry as a record label executive. She has since expanded into screenwriting, developing original projects for TV and film, and is thrilled to be back at ICCA as a judge.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank 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 Northeast 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!

VIEW ALBUMS

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