It would seem that 2011 is the year of the Aca-Woman. With two all-female groups headlining this year’s SoJam (The Boxettes and Musae) and women in key leadership roles at CASA (President, Julia Hoffman and Vice President, Amanda Aldag), females are finding themselves with more aca-tunities than ever before. Add this to the paradigm shift occurring in the understanding, arranging, performing and recording of women’s a cappella, and one finds that now is an exciting time to be a lady in the craft. (If you’ve listened to The Boxette’s first EP, released this past weekend, YOU KNOW WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT.)
A gal’s gotta start somewhere, however, and the dedicated women that comprise a large part of the SoJam 2011 Production Team are no different. Meet our girls:
When was your first SoJam experience and what was special about it?
Sojam 2009! Eclipse and House Jacks headlined (be still my heart). I did a very last minute favor for Dio concerning the classrooms at Duke and as a thank-you (and likely to secure my lifetime of loyalty…which worked), he generously gave me two weekend passes. I took a member of my group at the time, Second Shift, and when the weekend was over, I’d never had so many different emotions at once. Anger and frustration that I’d never been before, amazement for having learned an incredible amount in such a short time span, sadness that the next one was a whole year away, and pure joy and happiness that I’d found my home.
When and how did you become a part of the SoJam Production Team?
Well after that first year, it was a snowball. I can’t remember if I forced myself in or I was asked to help with general festival logistics. In either case, I was thankful that my job at Duke served as a gateway to SoJam.
What is the best thing about being a member of the team?
It’s like being part of a giant family that you actually look forward to talking to once a week. The build up from all the conference calls with the team, who are all over the country, makes the moment when we see each other in person in November (the ‘family reunion’, if you will), so sweet. To step back and see what we’ve accomplished…no words describe it.
How do you feed your aca-appetite outside of your work with CASA and SoJam?
I currently sing with two different groups in DC, Vox Pop and Snowday. There is such a large a cappella community in the DC area, that a few friends and I organize an Aca-Happy Hour once every couple of months to bring everyone together. I also currently work at Strathmore, a performing arts center, and we present a number of a cappella acts every year. I’ll have the pleasure to see Cadence, Rockapella, and Naturally 7 (yes, SoJam’s headliner!) in our hall all within 10 months! I’m extremely lucky.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
Performances everywhere! Honestly, they’ll be non-stop all weekend, and I can’t wait to hear groups I’ve never heard before blow my mind. Also (because I can’t just have one thing, sorry), the after-parties are going to rock your little aca-socks off. I can’t wait to buy The Boxettes a drink. For reals.
When was your first SoJam experience and what was special about it?
SoJam 2005. My now husband had been in 2004 and pretty much made all the a cappella groups from our school (Georgia Tech) attend in 2005. He also took over as interim music director of his group, Sympathetic Vibrations, just before the event and coached his group to a win at the collegiate competition. In a single semester my group, Nothin’ but Treble, went from being in our own little bubble to being exposed to this world of big ideas, great music and great community. That’s really what the original vision of SoJam was, and it changed how we approached the art form altogether.
When and how did you become a part of the SoJam Production Team?
I’ve attended every year since 2005, and one year (2008, I think?) volunteered to be a runner. The team asked me if I had any ideas for the next year, and then they discovered I could help keep the information current on the website. The rest is sorta history.
What is the best thing about being a member of the team?
Everyone has a voice. The team really wants everyone’s feedback because they truly want each year to be the best it can be, which means better than the last. This year’s team is especially on top of things and it’s been a breeze. They’re also great about making you feel awesome at your job, which just makes you want to take everything a step further than you thought you could.
How do you feed your aca-appetite outside of your work with CASA and SoJam?
I sang in a group after college for a while and may do so again. I work with CASA and of course get to do a cappella related stuff all the time, but I also judge for ICCAs and arrange and coach for groups when I get the chance. I do other music things, too, but since they involve instruments I don’t think they count. :-)
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
That’s a tough one. I’m definitely looking forward to all the professional group performances, especially Naturally 7. I’m also looking forward to seeing all my colleagues in person, some of whom I see only once or twice a year, and some of whom I haven’t even met yet!
When was your first SoJam experience and what was special about it?
Believe it or not, SoJam 2010 was my first one! (I feel that I really missed out on a lot of cool stuff with my groups in college.) So, after missing all four years of college not being a participant in SoJam, finally actualizing the experience for myself and it being all and more than I had ever dreamed of was the most special part. Also, the Mad Libs.
When and how did you become a part of the SoJam Production Team?
I volunteered on Christopher’s team last year at the Collegiate Competition and I guess I made a good impression. :) So, I am a baby on the SoJam team but hope to grow into a SoJam Grandma one day.
What is the best thing about being a member of the team?
Working with such dedicated, talented, smart, capable, and HILARIOUS people. I feel that it pushes me to be more of these things (or at least pretend to be). Can we have conference calls even after SoJam is done please?
How do you feed your aca-appetite outside of your work with CASA and SoJam?
Not enough! I am currently in the process of trying to get a group started in Asheville but life and work tends to get in the way a lot. Hopefully something good will happen soon to keep the momentum going and if you are reading this and know a good aca-female in the Asheville area, please send them my way! I also stay active with Varisty Vocals, by attending, judging, and producing ICCA events and even helping out this year with BOCA/BOHSA production.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
Obviously the professional showcase is going to blow people’s minds and make them go INSANE, so that’ll be pretty cool. I am also looking forward to seeing old friends and hopefully making some new ones as our aca-bonds in our aca-community continue to grow bigger and stronger until we take over the world!
When was your first SoJam experience and what was special about it?
My first SoJam was in 2010, and it was mind-blowing. Though I’d been singing with my college group for years, I had no idea that such a vibrant a cappella culture existed outside the Syracuse University campus. Meg Alexander (a CASA PM) and David Longo (my boyfriend, owner of Sled Dog Studios) talked me into making the 10-hour trek to NC and promised it would be worth it. And they were right! The people, the performers, and just the overall passion — it was all so inspiring. I left feeling like I could take over the world, and that all the amazing people I met would be right there with me.
When and how did you become a part of the SoJam Production Team?
In April of 2011 — still reeling from our experience at SoJam — Meg, Dave, myself, and a handful of other aca-enthusiasts hosted SMACC on the Syracuse University campus. While I’ll admit that half of my M.O. for being involved was just to get Lo Barreiro — a member of Musae and the next author in this blog series — to work with my group, something else magical happened: I met Benjamin Stevens. We shared some late night sliders alongside Mark and Dio, and the rest… is history.
What is the best thing about being a member of the team?
Working with and learning from all of these amazing individuals! I mean, do you see who I’m being listed alongside right now? Total BAMFs. Seriously, though — I am so privileged to work with these incredibly driven and intelligent people.
How do you feed your aca-appetite outside of your work with CASA and SoJam?
I co-direct a semi-pro group called Cut Off in the Rochester, NY area. I also try to contribute in any way I can to Sled Dog Studios projects.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
Not to be immodest, but I’m pretty excited about the curriculum that Ben and I have put together. I wish that I could attend every workshop! I’m also looking forward to seeing you — yes, YOU — perform as part of our “AcaBombs” initiative, that’ll bring a cappella to the Duke campus in the most guerilla way.
When was your first SoJam experience and what was special about it?
I shock even myself when I admit that last year (2010) was my first SoJam event and…what WASN’T special about it?!? In particular, seeing SONOS live for the first time was absolutely mind-blowing. I recall sitting in my seat with my mouth gaping, rendered immobile for a few seconds after their last song.
When and how did you become a part of the SoJam Production Team?
I vaguely recall lunch with Dio at Azrita in July and him offering me some Kool-Aid…
What is the best thing about being a member of the team?
Do I have to pick just one??? The individual team members are all kinds of amazing and the knowledge and expertise that they each bring to the table is astonishing. The fact that they are all incredibly humble and ridiculously friendly makes me want to spend more than just a weekend with them. It also kind of feels like I am at a super aca-internship, learning new things every day!
How do you feed your aca-appetite outside of your work with CASA and SoJam?
Real life has been kicking my behind lately, but being the NC Ambassador has allowed me to stay connected with the local aca-community. I’ve also been writing articles for CASA.org, teaching music classes at my daughter’s pre-school and still sing at church from time to time. My aca-appetite still isn’t completely satisfied, though – anyone interested in starting a new mixed vocal band in Raleigh, NC?
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
After hearing their new EP, I must say it is seeing The Boxettes live, hands down. I’m also very excited to see all the other performances and looking forward to finally meeting people I’ve been working with for the past few months!
This could be YOU next year! Contact virginia@casa.org to find out how!
I love my Aca Ladies!
You ladies are incredible. I’ve slowly been getting involved in the aca-community, and must say that you ladies (including one Ms. Amy Malkoff) are an inspiration. Keep up the amazing work!
