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, exceptional singers and beatboxers aged 7 - 18. It was designed to give dedicated contemporary singers the highest quality education in singing and beatboxing and a true vocal team to train and develop with over several years. The higher up the squads you go, the more difficult the training, the more advanced the songs, and the more exposure, live performance opportunities, and recording experiences you are entitled to. This program requires dedication and serious commitment not only from our students but also from our parents.
Student commitment:
Students are expected to
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be self-starters
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hold themselves accountable for their own progress and success
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be on top of their homework
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know what is expected of them after every class
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arrive to every rehearsal fully prepared
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read all communication sent to them
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be diligent in finding out information they have missed
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be a team player
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prioritize the team
Parent commitment (to be successful at this level requires parent commitment as well as student)
Parents must agree to:
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allowing time in their child's schedule to practice at home 3-5 times a week (depending on the level of Squad they are in)
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prioritize rehearsals and performances
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stay on top of all communication and respond when required
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be organized and stick to the schedule
Students who have completed the program have received full-ride scholarships to music colleges and have been accepted into impressive academic college programs (see our recent alumni here). Further to this, students have been booked for multiple professional vocal and acting industry jobs as we can guarantee professionalism, dedication, and a high level of skill. They are ultimately a dream to work with and learn to perfect a performance quickly and efficiently.
The program is so intense and rigorous that students graduate not only with a guaranteed ability in vocal performance and sight reading, but with a profound sense of confidence, work ethic, and accountability—not to mention—the skills necessary to handle and entertain a crowd. Our constant devotion to improving stage presence and team mentality translates incredibly well to the workforce and forms excellent character traits that help in all aspects of life.
WHAT ARE 'SQUADS?'
There are four 'squads' are the different levels that students can train in that range in difficulty and commitment requirements: Pop Squad, Junior Squad, Senior Squad, Varsity In Training and Varsity Squad. Varsity Squad is our professional-level group that is featured and promoted on our Squad Harmonix artist website as well as our YouTube page (over 1 million views). Although it may seem that groups are divided by ages, it is solely based on ability and maturity. If a student can handle the workload, behavior and ability expectations, we do not hold them back. We expect all Squadlings to respect eachother no matter what their age. Those wanting to be in Varsity Squad need to be fully commit to the training schedule and demand or they will fall behind dramatically.
Students are vigorously trained in harmony, blending, teamwork, accountability, mic technique, and dance choreography. They perform over 20 shows throughout the year and get the chance to participate in incredible performance trips to both Scotland and New York.
Each Squad has its own respective curriculum created by our Director that requires each student to pass before being moved up. The curriculum includes music theory, stage performance, vocal technique, harmony ability, sight reading, and character assessment.
If you LOVE to sing (or beatbox) and want a true team to belong to where egos are left at the door to prioritize personal development and accountability, then you have come to the right place.
VARSITY
SQUAD
SENIOR
SQUAD
JUNIOR
SQUAD
What is
a cappella?
A cappella is the art of singing with no backing tracks. Differing a choir in which there are normally 30+ students sharing a 4-6-part harmony song, 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) who will be singing a completely different harmony. If you do not know your harmony perfectly, then the blend of the entire song is compromised and the rest of the team is let down. If you have never studied singing, please take our word that it is an extremely advanced singing style and program.
A cappella 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 . 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.
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.
POP
SQUAD
HOW was SQUAD HARMONIX born?
Our director Laura Saggers was delighted that many of her young voice students were achieving lead roles in all the school and local musical theater programs they would audition for. She then started brainstorming ways to challenge them as they continued on their vocal training journey and began searching for a more advanced program to suggest to them. She found that there was nothing. A traditional choir doesn't feature many soloists, nor is it particularly challenging to the advanced singer wanting to strengthen their solo voice. Considering Los Angeles is the heart of the music industry and having spent the first 10 years of her music career as a performing musician and artist, Laura 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. An environment in which 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, and learn to lovingly support each other. All while managing to stay clear of the toxic 'me me me' mentality that runs rampant in the city of Los Angeles and the music industry.
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)
WHAT's INCLUDED - SPRING SEMESTER
Our program offers four levels to train at differentiating in skill, commitment requirements, and difficulty. All squads require in-person auditions prior to acceptance.
Squad Harmonix is the Laura Jean Music Academy's advanced audition-required voice and beatboxing training program. Please only fill in this form if you have received an acceptance letter following your audition.
POP SQUAD:
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18 weeks of 2.5 hours of PJSVIT rehearsals
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2 x performances (see below)
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2 x parent tickets to Squad Showcase
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Squad uniform T-shirt
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Squad Binder (for new Squadlings)
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All practice materials (printed sheet music, practice recordings)
JUNIOR / SENIOR:
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18 weeks of 2.5 hours of PJSVIT rehearsals
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18 weeks of 1 hour J/S/VIT rehearsals
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7 x performances (see below)
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1 x Box Music Video
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Featured on 2-4 songs on the official Squad Harmonix Album
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18 weeks of 30-minute private Music Theory classes
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2 x parent tickets to Squad Showcase
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Squad uniform T-shirt
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Squad Binder for new (Squadlings)
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All practice materials (printed sheet music, practice recordings)
VARSITY-IN-TRAINING SQUAD:
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18 weeks of 2.5 hours of PJSVIT rehearsals
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18 weeks of 1 hour J/S/VIT rehearsals
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18 weeks of 3 hour Varsity/VIT rehearsals
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Lincoln Center Feature performance
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7 x performances (see below)
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3 x Masterclasses
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1 x Box Music Video
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1 x Full Crew, Professional Music Video
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Featured on ALL songs on the official Squad Harmonix Album
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18 weeks of 30 min private Music Theory classes
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2 x parent tickets to Squad Showcase
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Squad uniform T-shirt
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All practice materials (printed sheet music, practice recordings)
VARSITY SQUAD SEMESTER INFO:
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18 weeks of 3 hour Varsity/VIT rehearsals
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Lincoln Center Featured performance
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2 x performances (see below)
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3 x Masterclasses
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1 x Full Crew, Professional Music Video
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Guarenteed Solos and Featured on 4 songs on official Squad Harmonix Album
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18 weeks of 30 min private Music Theory classes
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2 x parent tickets to Squad Showcase
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All practice materials (printed sheet music, practice recordings)
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!
We offer two professionally produced music videos each year for Junior, Senior, and Varsity Squad members. Squadlings LOVE the process of filming a music video, which includes outfits, a make-up artist, a camera crew, and a professionally edited music video that is released on our YouTube channel. This is great for those wanting to learn how to act and perform in front of the camera and an excellent addition to professional portfolios. Music video shoots are a favorite among our Squadlings and are fantastic for content building on social media for aspiring artists as well as learning how to work the camera.
Fringe Festival, Scotland, August 2024
Carnegie Hall, New York, April 2024
Carnegie Hall, New York, April 2023
SPRING Schedule, 2025
SEMESTER DATES:
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Saturdays, Jan 11th - June 1st
NO REHEARSAL (ALL):
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April 12th, April 19th, 2025 (Spring Break)
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May 24th, 2025 (Memorial Weekend)
POP SQUAD INFO:
Saturday Rehearsals:
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12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Required Rehearsal:
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May 31st (all-day commitment)
Shows:
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Farmers Market: May 18th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Squad Showcase: June 1st, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
JUNIOR / SENIOR INFO:
Saturday Rehearsals:
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10:45 AM - 11:45 AM,
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12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Required Rehearsal:
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May 31st (all day commitment)
Shows:
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Farmers Market: February 16th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Student Spotlight: February 16th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Student Spotlight: March 16th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Farmers Market: March 23rd, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Farmers Market: May 18th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Student Spotlight: May 18th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Squad Showcase: June 1st, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Album Recording Dates:
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April 20th
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April 27th
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May 4th
Music Video Dates:
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May 11th
REQUIREMENTS:
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Must take private voice lessons (Seniors are required to take private voice with LJMA)
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Must take private music theory lessons with LJMA (included with Squad Sign-Up)
VARSITY-IN-TRAINING SQUAD INFO:
Saturday Rehearsals:
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10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
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12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Required Rehearsal:
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May 31st (all day commitment)
Shows:
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Farmers Market: February 16th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Student Spotlight: February 16th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Student Spotlight: March 16th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Farmers Market: March 23rd, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Farmers Market: May 18th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Student Spotlight: May 18th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Squad Showcase: June 1st, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Album Recording Dates:
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April 20th
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April 27th
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May 4th
Music Video Dates:
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May 11th
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May 17 / 18th weekend (film date to be confirmed) Block out FULL WEEKEND until date is confirmed please.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Must take private voice lessons with LJMA
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Must take private music theory lessons with LJMA (included with Squad sign-up)
VARSITY SQUAD SEMESTER INFO:
Rehearsals:
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3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Required Rehearsal:
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May 31st (all day commitment)
Shows:
-
Farmers Market: May 18th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
-
Squad Showcase: June 1st, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
REQUIREMENTS:
-
Must take private voice lessons with LJMA
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Must take private music theory lessons with LJMA (until Varsity level theory is completed, included with Squad sign-up)
AUDITION FOR SQUAD
For information regarding auditioning for Squad Harmonix, please visit our AUDITION PAGE