WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY A CAPPELLA?
Contemporary A Cappella, A Movement
Contemporary a cappella gained international recognition in the early 2000's through the TV competition, The Sing-Off, which launched the career of Pentatonix, before the Pitch Perfect movie franchise brought contemporary a cappella into mainstream culture and inspired a new generation of singers.
Team Mentality
Unlike a choir, every singer performs an independent harmony, yet no voice is more important than another. Soloists understand they can only shine because of the ensemble behind them, teaching collaboration, trust, leadership, and humility while developing exceptional musicianship.
Advanced Musicianship
High schools with advanced performing arts programs often offer contemporary a cappella as the highest level of their choir pathway, reserving it for a select group of students who have demonstrated exceptional skill, commitment, and musical growth.
WHY WE CREATED
SQUAD HARMONIX
Contemporary a cappella is considered one of the most advanced skills in singing. The skills required go beyond what most young singers encounter in choir, musical theatre, or standard private lessons, and in many cases are not fully developed even through high school unless a student is enrolled in a highly advanced, performance-focused arts program. Additionally, the success of a cappella relies so heavily on collaboration that its impact on performers’ confidence, mental well-being, vocal development, and sense of belonging is transformative.
With this in mind, we created Squad Harmonix to provide a structured, tiered training pathway for young singers to develop advanced vocal ability while training in a team environment.
Beginning as young as 8 years old, students develop advanced vocal technique, ear training, harmony singing, musicianship, and performance skills as they progress through the program, ultimately reaching Varsity Squad (typically ages 16–18), a level of training comparable to professional industry singers.
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Squad Harmonix has been invited as featured artists to renowned stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The group has also performed live on television for PBS and the Hallmark Channel, and presented four sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland
Venues WE have PEFORMED At
THE SQUAD HARMONIX PATHWAY
CORE ENSEMBLES
PERFORMANCE TEAMS
Every student is required to train in one of our Core Ensembles, which form the foundation of our contemporary a cappella program.
In addition to their Core Ensemble commitment, students may audition for our Performance Teams, where they receive advanced training through a structured pathway of assessments, increasingly challenging repertoire, and expanded performance opportunities.
INCLUDED IN EACH SQUAD EXPERIENCE
POP SQUAD
PREMIER SQUAD
JUNIOR SQUAD
SENIOR SQUAD
VARSITY SQUAD
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90 mins/week rehearsals
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Fall Semester Showcase
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Spring Semester Showcase
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2 hours / week rehearsals
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Fall Semester Showcase
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Spring Semester Showcase
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3.5 hours/week reahearsals
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30 mins Music Theory Class
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Weekly Voice Lessons
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Fall Semester Showcase
Spring Semester Showcase
Resturant Performances
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Music Video - Box
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Album
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2 Week Summer Training Camp
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4 hours/week reahearsals
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30 mins Music Theory Class
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Weekly Voice Lessons
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Fall Semester Showcase
Spring Semester Showcase
Resturant Performances
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Music Video - In Person
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Album
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Competition Training
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2 hours/week (first 6 weeks in fall and all of spring)
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Competitions
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30 Mins Music Theory Class
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Weekly Voice Lessons
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Spring Semester Showcase
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Competitons
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Album
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Music Video - In Person
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Guarenteed Featured Solos
REWARD FOR HARD WORK
Once students reach Varsity Squad, they are no longer required to participate in Pop Squad or Premier Squad training. At this level, most students are in high school and balancing college applications and other commitments.
Varsity members focus on competition rehearsals and the final Spring Showcase. As recognition of reaching the highest level of the program, they are also guaranteed featured solos in upcoming albums, music videos, and competitions, while maintaining a reduced time commitment that allows them to stay involved in the program’s top performance experiences.
Many Varsity students also step into leadership roles as camp counselors for Pop Squad or Premier Squad, developing skills in communication, leadership, and rehearsal direction. This experience can lead to our Teacher-in-Training program and future paid teaching opportunities at Laura Jean Music Academy during summer camps or Saturday rehearsals.
Albums and Music Videos
Students gain hands-on experience in professional studio recording and music video production, learning what it takes to work as a recording artist.
In the studio, they develop vocal control, microphone technique, and the ability to deliver consistent, polished performances under direction.
In music videos, they learn how to perform for the camera, including expression, movement, and storytelling on screen.
HOW TO AUDITION
Students can either submit an audition video or attend Week 3 or Week 4 of our Voice, Harmony, & Dance Summer Camp
Video must be received by August 1st
VIDEO AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
These requirements apply to students auditioning for Pop Squad, Premier Squad, and Junior Squad. We do not accept new students into the Senior or Varsity Squad. All new students are required to complete a minimum of one semester in the Junior Squad level before being eligible for advancement. Students auditioning for Junior Squad must include a Harmony Assessment (see requirements below).
1. Download Audition Materials
2. Learn Materials And Film Your Audition
Your audition video must include the following sections (see Audition Video Guidelines for help with each section):
Voice Audition
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Slate & Personal Statement
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Voice Solo
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Pitch, Range, Rhythm Assessment
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Harmony Assessment (When auditioning for Junior Squad)
Beatboxing Audition
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Slate & Personal Statement
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Beatboxing Solo
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Pitch, Range, Rhythm Assessment
These sections do not need to be filmed all at once; they can be edited together as individual sections.
3. Upload To YouTube and Email The Video Link
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Make sure the video is listed as either 'public' or 'unlisted,' not 'private'
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Please submit your audition video link to auditions@ljma.com with the subject line '[YOUR NAME] [AGE] - Squad Harmonix Audition 2026 by August 1st, 2026
AUDITION VIDEO GUIDELINES
1. SLATE AND PERSONAL STATEMENT
Say hi! State your name, age, and vocal part ( Soprano, Mezzo, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Beatboxing) and why you want to join Squad Harmonix
2. SOLO
VOICE
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Sing a verse and chorus (or any section of a song up to 60 seconds)
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The song must be from the pop/contemporary genre - no classical or musical theater songs please
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Song must be sung a cappella (no backing tracks or accompaniment)
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Make sure to stand up when you are singing
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Choose a section that showcases your vocal ability.
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We are looking for accuracy in pitch, tone, timing, vocal control, and emotional intention. Good song suggestions are:
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Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys
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Roar - Katy Perry
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The Climb - Miley Cyrus
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Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
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Wings - Little Mix
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Golden - Harry Styles
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I'm Still Standing - Elton John
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Beautiful Things - Benson Boone
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Die With A Smile - Bruno Mars/Lady GaGa
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Believer - Imagine Dragons
BEATBOXING
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Beatbox along to the Beatboxing Solo Track - provided in your downloaded material.
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Keep the groove simple and consistent throughout
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Make sure we can hear both the track in the video as well as your beatboxing.
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We are looking for a clear articulation of sounds and the ability to keep the beat consistently
3. PITCH, RANGE, RHYTHM
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Download the Range, Pitch, and Rhythm Track
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Film yourself singing along to the track, making sure we can hear both you and the track clearly in the video.
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If the exercises go out of your range (too high or too low), do not worry. Just do your best, as it allows us to see which notes you can comfortably reach in order to place you in the right harmony section.
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Make sure to stand up when you are singing
4. HARMONY ASSESSMENT
(Required for those auditioning for Junior Squad for Voice)
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Locate the Harmony Assessment Folder
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Choose the harmony part that best suits your range (sopranos, please learn the alto section)
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The sheet music is provided for you, as well as a PRACTICE TRACK to help you learn the harmony
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When ready, please film yourself singing to the PERFORMANCE track (this track has your harmony removed)
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Please make sure we can hear your voice as well as the performance track in the background, with your voice ideally louder than the track.
SAMPLE AUDITION VIDEOS
COMING SOON
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
PREMIER SQUAD
Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
POP SQUAD
Saturdays, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
JUNIOR SQUAD
Saturdays, 12:30 PM -2:00 PM
(Plus Premier or Pop Squad rehearsals)
SENIOR SQUAD
Saturdays, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
(Plus Premier or Pop Squad rehearsals)
VARSITY SQUAD
Saturdays, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Live performance dates, recording, and music video commitments are confirmed after sign-up.
PRICING
Pricing Coming Soon – Financial Aid Available
Full-ride scholarships are available for qualified baritone and bass singers.
Please enquire for additional audition requirements if interested.