On Sunday night, UCLA a cappella groups will share the stage with students they mentor, filling De Neve auditorium with music.
A Cappelloozais the only show of the year in which 13 of the on-campus a cappella groups will all be performing. In addition, a variety of on-campus service organizations will present on their missions.
YOUTHphonics, an a cappella and mentoring group, is putting on the event for the second year in a row.
James Luby, a UCLA and YOUTHphonics alumnus, came up with the idea for “A Cappellooza” last year. Luby said his goal was to help incorporate YOUTHphonics into the UCLA community as well as to bring other a cappella and service-oriented groups that aren’t as well-known to the forefront.
“Last year and this year we invited all a cappella groups, and this year we have an even better turnout, so it’s really great to see it growing,” said Kailyn Dunkelman, performance director of YOUTHphonics and a third-year theater student.
This year’s performances at “A Cappellooza” will include AweChords, Bruin Harmony, Cadenza, Deviant Voices, JEWkbox, Medleys, Naya Zamaana, Random Voices, Resonance, Road to Damascus, ScatterTones, Signature and YOUTHphonics, along with students from Fairfax Senior High School. YOUTHphonics and the high school students will be performing “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars.
The board members of YOUTHphonics said they are passionate about the work they do and can see how important it is to the kids they work with.
“I came from Santa Monica High School, which had a great music program, and I don’t know what I would have done if that wasn’t there,” said David Mun, a fourth-year environmental science student and board member of YOUTHphonics. “L.A. schools have had their budget for arts and music cut, so when I found out about YOUTHphonics, I had to join. I’ve seen it doesn’t only help the students musically, but helps them grow in confidence.”
Dunkelman said YOUTHphonics is excited about the wide variety of music that will be performed at the show, which will include music from cultural groups such as Jewish group JEWkbox and South Asian group Naya Zamaana.
“I am excited for the gathering of the ‘a ca-people,'” said Olivia Davis, a second-year psychology student, a member of Deviant Voices and a Daily Bruin contributor. “It’s always great to pick up tips and techniques from other groups.“
Returning groups, such as Random Voices, who performed at last year’s “A Cappellooza,” say they are excited to be coming back and support the work YOUTHphonics does.
“I remember last year it was incredible for us and the students (of Fairfax High School). They got to see that singing and a cappella can be a big part of the college experience,” said Emily Zetterberg, a second-year theater student and member of Random Voices.
Before the show, there will be a 30-minute mini activities fair where L.A. Stop the Traffik, Bruin Belles Service Association, Hunger Project, BruinLIGHTS, Global Brigades, Happy Feet Clinic and UniCamp will share their missions. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out how to get involved.
Christal Chung, a third-year economics and history student and founder of L.A. Stop the Traffik, said her group will be presenting on raising awareness about human trafficking.
“I am really excited and appreciative of the opportunity to get our message out there. When YOUTHphonics contacted me about presenting at ‘A Cappellooza,’ I said, ‘Of course,’” said Chung.
Chung said she often tries to co-program with other groups to effectively get her message out to more students, which is exactly what YOUTHphonics designed “A Cappellooza” to do.
“With this concert, we are hoping we can give lesser-known, smaller community service groups a chance to share their mission with the UCLA community and encourage more students to be a part of these groups,” Dunkelman said. “And of course to entertain them with song as well.”