Squad Harmonix
All-kids a cappella training program for dedicated singers
What is Squad Harmonix?
Squad Harmonix is the first-ever year-round a cappella training program for dedicated singers and beatboxers aged 7 - 17. It was designed to give singers the highest quality education in singing and beatboxing and a true vocal team to belong to. Students learn harmonizing, blending, teamwork, accountability, and mic technique and perform multiple shows year-round. Students will get the chance to audition for multiple solos, record in a professional recording studio, and feature in official Squad Harmonix music videos on our YouTube (with over 1 million views).
There are four 'squads' that students can train in that range in difficulty and commitment requirements; Pop Squad, Junior Squad, Senior Squad, and Varsity Squad with the Varsity Squad being considered our professional-level group. Check out the official Squad Harmonix artist website here
What is
a cappella?
A cappella is the art of singing with no backing tracks. Different to choir, where there are normally 30+ students sharing a 4-part harmony song, in a cappella students are expected to be able to hold their harmony on their own, on an individual microphone, while dancing, blending, staying in pitch and ensuring they are listening to their team (squad) buddy who will be singing a completely different harmony. If you have never studied singing please take our word that this is EXTREMELY ADVANCED.
This technique is so advanced in fact that it is generally not taught to students until they reach their last years in high school or even college because teachers don't expect students to be able to handle it.
However! We have created a unique curriculum that has proven to work wonders in developing young voices and for those that are looking for that extra challenge the the results? Outstanding. So much so that our students who have gone through the entire program have won multiple state and national awards, been invited to feature at Carnegie Hall, have performed live on TV at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and continue to get booked for multiple shows throughout the year as a group with our top group, Varsity being paid to perform.
Take note. this isn't karaoke. This is for the die-hard singing or beatboxing student who is willing to commit to dedicated practice each week. Talent is not something we are born with, it is a result of hours and hours of dedicated practice and live performing.
HOW was SQUAD HARMONIX born?
Our director, Laura Saggers who started LJMA in 2014 was delighted that so many of her young voice students were achieving lead roles in all the school and local musical theater programs her students would audition for. However, finding that this wasn't very much of a challenge anymore she then started to look around for a more advanced program to suggest to them and found that there was nothing. Choir doesn't feature many soloists, nor is it particularly challenging to the advanced singer who wants to advance their solo voice. Considering that Los Angeles is the heart of the music biz and having spent the first 10 years of her music career as a performing musician and artist she was disappointed that there was absolutely nothing at an advanced level for kids who want to improve their voice and overall vocal ability.
With a huge passion for community and children's mental health, Laura wanted to create a sports team environment for singers where her students would have to train weekly with their team to ensure improvement. Where everyone is held accountable for learning their harmonies and can no longer get away with letting others do the work for them. Where solos are a privilege for those who have dedicated themselves to the group. Where students would get more live performances offered than any other program in Los Angeles and would guarantee advancement in ability if they dedicate themselves to the program. She wanted a vocal team where the students could feel valued and proud, where they could grow and perform at professional levels, learn to lovingly support each other, and all while managing to stay clear away from the toxic me me me mentality that runs rampant in the city of Los Angeles and music biz.
A cappella requires all of the above. Those who turn up with a strong solo voice but have never worked in a cappella before are floored at how hard the technique is but it works. For those who start at the beginning (Pop Squad), it is an incredible way to start learning to sing. As you go up the levels you will be required to take private lessons in order to advance your own personal voice (either with LJMA or privately)
How does it work?
Squad Harmonix is split up into 4 different training levels. Each Squad increases in difficulty as well as the performances they are eligible for.
As students progress through the levels, the work demand increases as do the performances and opportunities that are offered to them. To advance to different squads students must pass the required criteria for singing, beatboxing and music theory, and sight reading.
Pop Squad
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New to harmonizing.
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No audition is required but you are expected to be able to match pitch. If you can't match pitch please take private lessons until this skill has been achieved.
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Pop Squad 1- Ages 7 - 9
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Pop Squad 2 - Ages 10-17
Junior Squad
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Beginner a cappella / beatboxing
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Vocalists: 1 - 2 years of vocal training in choir OR private lessons.
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Beatboxers: 1 Full semester of private lessons or must have attended our Show Choir Voice Intensive Summer Camp where you are taught the basics of Beatboxing.
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Should be comfortable holding their own harmony alone in a three-part harmony song.
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Audition Required
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Ages 10 - 14
Senior Squad
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Intermediate a cappella level
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Suggested - 2 - 4 years of vocal training in choir AND private lessons
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Audition Required
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Ages 12 - 16
Varsity Squad
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Advanced a cappella level
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Suggested - 4 - 6 years of vocal training in choir AND private lessons
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Strong sight reading skills required
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Audition Required
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Ages 10 - 18
Officialy released Albums!
We release two professional albums (EPs) every year (Pop and Holiday) as part of our vocal training. Those in Junior, Senior and Varsity Squad will have the opportunity to record the songs they have been working on in the semester in a professional studio with Squad producer Greg Johnson. Our tracks are then mixed by Ed Boyer (Pentatonix mixer) and released on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, etc)
Music Videos
Check out our official Youtube page with over 10'000 subscribers and over 1 mil views!
Now we are fully restored back from Covid we are excited to announce we are now offering in - person music videos each semester for our Junior, Senior and Varsity Squad members. Squadlings LOVE the process of filming a music video which includes outfits, make up artist, camera crew and a professionally edited music video that is released on our YouTube channel alongside our upcoming EP. Excellent for those that want to build up professional looking portfolio but also great for learning how to act and perform in front of the camera! Music Videos are a firm favorite with our Squadlings.
