BUCK THAT!
Forged in the sun-scorched mountains of … Columbus, Ohio, this collegiate group has taken the Midwest by storm. Clad in their trademark red Chuck Taylors, these singers combine earth-shattering bass with soloists “smoother-than-butter-sliding-down-a-hot-fluffy-stack-of-aca-pancakes”. They’ve performed with The Sing-Off National Tour, Camp A Cappella, and all across the East Coast and Midwest. They’ve won multiple awards in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio AND…they were SingStrong Chicago's ACA-IDOL CHAMPIONS for the last two years! [Performing SAT 9:30 PM]
Forged in the sun-scorched mountains of … Columbus, Ohio, this collegiate group has taken the Midwest by storm. Clad in their trademark red Chuck Taylors, these singers combine earth-shattering bass with soloists “smoother-than-butter-sliding-down-a-hot-fluffy-stack-of-aca-pancakes”. They’ve performed with The Sing-Off National Tour, Camp A Cappella, and all across the East Coast and Midwest. They’ve won multiple awards in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio AND…they were SingStrong Chicago's ACA-IDOL CHAMPIONS for the last two years! [Performing SAT 9:30 PM]
Kaila Mullady
Kaila Mullady is the current World Beatbox Champion, current American Vice Beatbox Champion, current Loop station champion, and current and 3-time Beatrhyme Champion. Beatrhyming is the art of performing a lead with lyrics, vocal percussion, and other backing accompaniment, all simultaneously, without the assistance of technology. Often incorporating vocal "trumpet" and improvisation to her unique sound, Kaila has performed across the East Coast at hip hop events, schools and even the world famous Blue Note Jazz Club. She recently lent her talents to hip-hop group, Ja'Shayla for their a cappella video of Lorde's "Royals". Beatbox fans will recognize her from her appearance on WBGO radio, and from her impressive showing in both the World and American Beatboxing Championships. [Performing SAT 9:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM]
Kaila Mullady is the current World Beatbox Champion, current American Vice Beatbox Champion, current Loop station champion, and current and 3-time Beatrhyme Champion. Beatrhyming is the art of performing a lead with lyrics, vocal percussion, and other backing accompaniment, all simultaneously, without the assistance of technology. Often incorporating vocal "trumpet" and improvisation to her unique sound, Kaila has performed across the East Coast at hip hop events, schools and even the world famous Blue Note Jazz Club. She recently lent her talents to hip-hop group, Ja'Shayla for their a cappella video of Lorde's "Royals". Beatbox fans will recognize her from her appearance on WBGO radio, and from her impressive showing in both the World and American Beatboxing Championships. [Performing SAT 9:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM]
Ensamble Fenix
Ensamble Fenix hails from Venezuela where they have become national icons after hundreds of performances and their 2012 hit release, "Guayoyo". From the World Festival of Choirs in Puebla, Mexico to International Culture Week in Colombia, to concert tours of Madrid and Barcelona with the Venezuelan Embassy, this jazzy sextet has amazed audiences with their rhythmically intricate, harmonically romantic, latin style. They are thrilled to make their SingStrong Chicago debut! Don't miss this rare US performance!
[ATTENTION: Ensamble Fenix was originally scheduled to perform ON Sat 7:00PM and Sun at 2PM, HOWEVER, as of March 31st, the government of Venezuela has altered its position on allowing the members of the group to travel freely. We will do everything in our power to assist our friends in Ensamble Fenix, but the wheels of governments everywhere turn slowly, and we are unsure whether they will be permitted to join us here in the United States. If they can make it, we will welcome them. If not, our hearts are with them.]
Ensamble Fenix hails from Venezuela where they have become national icons after hundreds of performances and their 2012 hit release, "Guayoyo". From the World Festival of Choirs in Puebla, Mexico to International Culture Week in Colombia, to concert tours of Madrid and Barcelona with the Venezuelan Embassy, this jazzy sextet has amazed audiences with their rhythmically intricate, harmonically romantic, latin style. They are thrilled to make their SingStrong Chicago debut! Don't miss this rare US performance!
[ATTENTION: Ensamble Fenix was originally scheduled to perform ON Sat 7:00PM and Sun at 2PM, HOWEVER, as of March 31st, the government of Venezuela has altered its position on allowing the members of the group to travel freely. We will do everything in our power to assist our friends in Ensamble Fenix, but the wheels of governments everywhere turn slowly, and we are unsure whether they will be permitted to join us here in the United States. If they can make it, we will welcome them. If not, our hearts are with them.]
Ac•Rock
Ac•Rock stands for a cappella rock 'n roll. This Chicago-based vocal quartet performs classic rock and doo-wop hits of the 1950s through 1980s with one simple rule: no instruments allowed. For over two decades, Ac•Rock's combination of vocal harmony and freewheeling humor has thrilled audiences of all ages in the Chicago area and around the country. Their specially tailored school show has been hailed “brilliantly entertaining and educational” and "the perfect school assembly” by countless teachers and administrators. In 2010, original members Paul Iams (tenor), Chris Brown (baritone) and Mark MacLean (bass) welcomed veteran tenor David Wilner (Blind Man’s Bluff, Fiveplay) into the group. In 2012, Ac•Rock celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of “Framed!”, the group's seventh studio album. Keep an eye out for Ac•Rock’s eighth album in early 2015. [Performing Sat 9:30PM]
Ac•Rock stands for a cappella rock 'n roll. This Chicago-based vocal quartet performs classic rock and doo-wop hits of the 1950s through 1980s with one simple rule: no instruments allowed. For over two decades, Ac•Rock's combination of vocal harmony and freewheeling humor has thrilled audiences of all ages in the Chicago area and around the country. Their specially tailored school show has been hailed “brilliantly entertaining and educational” and "the perfect school assembly” by countless teachers and administrators. In 2010, original members Paul Iams (tenor), Chris Brown (baritone) and Mark MacLean (bass) welcomed veteran tenor David Wilner (Blind Man’s Bluff, Fiveplay) into the group. In 2012, Ac•Rock celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of “Framed!”, the group's seventh studio album. Keep an eye out for Ac•Rock’s eighth album in early 2015. [Performing Sat 9:30PM]
Grace McLean
Huff Post calls this NYC-based live-looper, "Electrifying!" Manhattan User's Guide writes, "This pop and jazz singer writes seriously infectious melodies with seriously antic lyrics. Her voice can raise the roof, or she can slide off a note and break your heart." Sometimes compared to artists like Kimbra and Julia Easterlin, once McLean begins, you won't be able to take your eyes off her for a moment. She loops layer upon layer of live harmony over her live leads, all the while putting the audience's focus on her incredible singing and songwriting. It's only after, that one marvels at her mastery of the technology. McLean made her mark in theatre and indie rock. SingStrong marks McLean's a cappella festival debut. [Performing Sat 7PM and Sun 2PM]
Huff Post calls this NYC-based live-looper, "Electrifying!" Manhattan User's Guide writes, "This pop and jazz singer writes seriously infectious melodies with seriously antic lyrics. Her voice can raise the roof, or she can slide off a note and break your heart." Sometimes compared to artists like Kimbra and Julia Easterlin, once McLean begins, you won't be able to take your eyes off her for a moment. She loops layer upon layer of live harmony over her live leads, all the while putting the audience's focus on her incredible singing and songwriting. It's only after, that one marvels at her mastery of the technology. McLean made her mark in theatre and indie rock. SingStrong marks McLean's a cappella festival debut. [Performing Sat 7PM and Sun 2PM]
Blake Lewis
Millions of viewers know singer/songwriter/beatboxer Blake Colin Lewis as the runner-up to Jordin Sparks on the sixth season of Fox's American Idol. Staying true to his roots in a cappella, Blake broke new ground by incorporating beatboxing into his vocal deliveries. His performance of “You Give Love A Bad Name” currently has nearly 3 million YouTube views, and is considered one of the most popular performances in American Idol’s history. His 2007 release, "Audio Day Dream," sold more than 350,000 copies and “Heartbreak on Vinyl” hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay Chart and Billboard’s Dance/Club Play Chart, making Blake the first Idol contestant ever to do so. Blake continues to tour extensively, and is also a DJ, voiceover artist, and blogger. His latest release, "Your Touch" was featured in a commercial for Internet Explorer. Blake is excited to return to his a cappella roots with this, his SingStrong Chicago debut! [Performing Sat 7PM.]
Millions of viewers know singer/songwriter/beatboxer Blake Colin Lewis as the runner-up to Jordin Sparks on the sixth season of Fox's American Idol. Staying true to his roots in a cappella, Blake broke new ground by incorporating beatboxing into his vocal deliveries. His performance of “You Give Love A Bad Name” currently has nearly 3 million YouTube views, and is considered one of the most popular performances in American Idol’s history. His 2007 release, "Audio Day Dream," sold more than 350,000 copies and “Heartbreak on Vinyl” hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay Chart and Billboard’s Dance/Club Play Chart, making Blake the first Idol contestant ever to do so. Blake continues to tour extensively, and is also a DJ, voiceover artist, and blogger. His latest release, "Your Touch" was featured in a commercial for Internet Explorer. Blake is excited to return to his a cappella roots with this, his SingStrong Chicago debut! [Performing Sat 7PM.]
Ten
Featured competitors on NBC's The Sing-Off, Ten offers an explosive, soulful sound. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, these singers have leaped from back-up to spotlight in the blink of an eye. Wowing the judges with a deep groove and riff-tastic solos on "Tell Me Something Good" and "Hot in Herre", the group has already become fan favorites in the a cappella community. Combining influences of gospel, soul and funk, this mixed ensemble just might go all the way! Whether they do or not, they're thrilled to be making their debut a cappella festival performance at SingStrong! [Performing Sat 9:30PM and Sun 2PM]
Featured competitors on NBC's The Sing-Off, Ten offers an explosive, soulful sound. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, these singers have leaped from back-up to spotlight in the blink of an eye. Wowing the judges with a deep groove and riff-tastic solos on "Tell Me Something Good" and "Hot in Herre", the group has already become fan favorites in the a cappella community. Combining influences of gospel, soul and funk, this mixed ensemble just might go all the way! Whether they do or not, they're thrilled to be making their debut a cappella festival performance at SingStrong! [Performing Sat 9:30PM and Sun 2PM]
