Begin the holidays and start your Thanksgiving celebrations with Broadway quality entertainment from the award winning and internationally travelled vocal band, Backtrack Vocals on Sunday, November 23 at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall in historic and charming Foxburg village.
Infusing heart, humor and choreographic pizazz into their show that spans generations and has something for everyone, they are back by popular demand after thrilling Lincoln Hall’s “standing-o” audience and A-C Valley School students and teachers who hailed them as THE BEST EVER!!
Be cheered and entertained by their versatile repertoire that spans generations – as you laugh and sing along to the purity of their close vocal harmony, rocking boom-boxing, festive choreography, contagious joy and audience engagement. You will understand why this NYC-based a cappella group has more than 14 million YouTube views and over 115,000 subscribers. One day you’ll say, “I heard them when…”
With extensive touring across the United States, BACKTRACK Vocals have performed internationally in Vietnam, The Seychelles and Mauritius in Africa and Kazakhstan.
They have appeared on NBC, FOX, PBS, Steve Harvey’s daytime show “STEVE!”, Broadway’s “Kinky Boots,” and HBO’s “PAUSE with Sam Jay.” They made their movie debut in “A Ring for Christmas” in December 2020, and their international presence was highlighted by a performance and interview on Kazakhstan’s national morning show “ОЯН!” in June 2023.
Winners of New York’s Got Talent Season 6, in 2024 BACKTRACK Vocals won the A Cappella Video Awards for Outstanding Collaborative Video.
Get into the spirit for the Red Brick Gallery’s Holiday Art Exhibit opening wine and cheese reception after the concert, as BACKTRACK Vocals performs their own arrangements of holiday favorites from their Christmas album and popular YouTube videos – plus arrangements that have brought them acclaim and celebrity ranging from the Great American Song Book, Motown, Broadway, Top-40 hits, classical and original music – including their recent YouTube video nodding to the newly released WICKED movie – “The Wizard and I”.
You’ll also be amazed by their delightful arrangements of classical music favorites, like their Beethoven Mash Up in this short,
If you have loved close vocal harmony no matter the era – Pentatonix, TAKE 6 or traditional barber shop quartet – this concert is for YOU. AND – be amazed by their award winning beat boxer Michael Crisol – “Dr Beat” – who wowed the Lincoln Hall audience AND students in the A-C Valley Schools in ARCA’s ArtReach program last season.
Whether seasoned fans of a cappella singing or tiny tots being introduced to vocal music for the first time, this is the way to begin your holiday celebrations with family and friends – and experience what uplifted the Lincoln Hall audience last year in O Holy Night.
Tickets: $25 Adults, $20 ARCA Members / Students FREE, Accompanying Adults get Member discount
CALL to Reserve: 724-659-3153 to pay by cash or check at the door. BUY ONLINE here.
Walk-ins welcome!
RBG Holiday Art Exhibit Opening Reception
After the BACKTRACK Vocals concert, Meet the Artists at the wine and cheese opening reception from 4 to 6 PM for the Red Brick Gallery’s Cooperative Artist Annual Holiday Art Show & Exhibit.
Filled to the brim with unique, artisan quality hand-made gifts for those special people on your list – created by Red Brick Gallery Cooperative Member Artists – in a variety of media: Sterling silver, gemstone, and costume jewelry; hand woven scarves, rugs and placemats; hand-turned bowls and vases, as well as rustic cutting boards and wooden tables; pottery; wearable art and handknit children’s dresses; hand-made baskets; oil and watercolor paintings, pencil drawings, fine art photography, and greeting cards.
There will be something for everyone and maybe even a few items for yourself!
ARCA-Backtrack Vocals Educational ArtReach
Outreach programs for students, music students and young aspiring artists are an important part of Backtrack’s mission. They have conducted educational programs at over 250 schools worldwide, from elementary assemblies to college workshops and a cappella camps in the US and abroad.
On the Monday following their Lincoln Hall performance last year, ARCA’s Educational ArtReach program brought Backtrack Vocals into the Allegheny-Clarion Valley Schools conducting elementary workshops, performing two assemblies for students in grades K to 12 and leading an after school masterclass for junior and senior high school chorus members.
Elementary Principal Lori Marron Sherman said, ” We are grateful to ARCA for bringing us programs that not only are entertaining, but also providing “outside the box” interactive music education experiences that consistently inspire our students to pursue musical interests. Of these, Backtrack Vocals was the best! Their energy was contagious, and the students were enthralled by their performances and Dr. Brick’s beatboxing at the elementary school and the high school.”
Choral director and general music teacher Jennifer Powell Lowrey said, “Students were inspired by their beautiful voices, lush harmonies and the fun beat boxing, and the high school chorus students loved working with them in the afterschool workshop.”
About the Singers
Melissa Jordano, alto, is a singer, songwriter, and Co-President of Backtrack Vocals. She grew up in Basking Ridge, NJ and earned her B.A. in Film & Media Studies from Johns Hopkins University in 2014, with minors in Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Entrepreneurship & Management. A pivotal part of Melissa’s college experience was her involvement in a cappella as a member of the school’s competitive group, Octopodes. It was during her senior year with Octopodes that Melissa’s passion for songwriting ignited, as the group embarked on creating an album of all-original music. Her track “Kill the Lights” gained notable recognition, earning a spot on the “Sing 11: One Louder” compilation. Melissa continues to write music, and in 2021, she released her debut EP as a solo artist, “Lullabye.” Melissa joined Backtrack in 2015 and has played an integral role in its transition from an online hobby to a professional performing ensemble.
Mike Hinkle, tenor, is an actor, singer, and Co-President of Backtrack Vocals. Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, he attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts for musical theatre, drama and vocal performance. He went on to receive a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in Drama, studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Lee Strasberg Film and Theatre Institute. During his collegiate years, he was a member of NYU’s original co-ed a cappella group, APC Rhythm. After college, Mike performed in multiple NYC theatre festivals and original musical productions. Since joining Backtrack in 2017, he has honed his video editing skills, leaving his mark on a number of the group’s music videos. He has loved learning the ins and outs of running a small business in the entertainment industry, and enjoys spending time with family.
Chrissy Aloisio, soprano, is a singer, dancer, actress, and teacher based in New York City. She got her start singing in church choir at the age of 9,and went on to receive her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware. In college, she studied classical music and sang with award-winning a cappella group, Vocal Point. As Assistant Music Director and featured soloist of the group, Vocal Point placed 3rd in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Finals and was featured on numerous compilation albums such as BOCA and Voices Only. Prior to joining Backtrack, Chrissy performed professionally in the musical theatre industry throughout the US and abroad, directed shows for kids, and taught dance, musical theatre, private voice, and acting to children ages 3-18 at Gateway to the Arts, a performing arts studio in Denville, NJ. Chrissy joined Backtrack in 2021 and is the group’s Choreographer and Social Media Manager.
Max Addae, bass, is a vocalist, music technologist, and award-winning vocal arranger based in Brooklyn, NY. He developed his love for singing in the church around the age of 6, and continued to foster his love for music in high school and college through advanced choral ensembles, musical theatre, and contemporary a cappella. While pursuing his graduate studies at MIT, he served as Music Director of Upper Structure, a pop/R&B a cappella group based at the Berklee College of Music, who went on to receive first place at the 2023 Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF) Scholastic Competition under his leadership. His vocal arranging work has been performed by several scholastic and professional contemporary a cappella and choral groups across the country, and has received several awards from the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). Outside of a cappella, Max is also a member of a pop-rock & hip-hop band called The Blackberry Poets, for which he serves as a lead vocalist, vocal arranger, and producer.
Michael Crisol, beatbox, aka Doctor Brick, is a professional beatboxer, born and raised in the Bronx. As of 2022, Doctor Brick is ranked as the 16th best beatboxer in the US. He has been competitively beatboxing since 2016 in cities all over North America, including Boston, Atlanta, New York, and Toronto. Some of these battles include the American Beatbox Championships, East Coast Beatbox Battle, and the Great North Beatbox Battle. He tackles the tag team division of beatbox battles with his partner, Alex P, as the duo known as Snakes and Ladders. Outside of the competitive scene, Brick performs with New York’s premiere hip hop improv group, North Coast, blending hip hop with improv comedy as their resident beatboxer. In addition to performing, Doctor Brick uses beatboxing in a teaching capacity under the Academy of Noise, providing beatbox workshops to schools all across the tristate area. For the last two years, Brick has utilized beatboxing in conjunction with the music program at the Lavelle School for the Blind in the Bronx.
ARRIVE EARLY & Shop at the RBG!
Plan to Make a Day of it in beautiful Foxburg and get some early Christmas Shopping done before the concert at the Red Brick Gallery’s Cooperative Artist Annual Holiday Art Show & Exhibit – AND enjoy the exhibit’s opening wine and cheese reception from 4 to 6 PM after the BACKTRACK Vocals concert on Sunday, November 23.
The Red Brick Gallery & Gift Shop’s Annual Holiday Art Show & Exhibit spans six weekends from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, December 22, featuring one-of -a-kind, high quality, original artisan-made gifts created by Red Brick Gallery Cooperative Member Artists: Karin Arnds, Taylor Banner, Chris Bauer, Joanne Crosbie, Kurt Crosbie, Mark DeWalt, Mel Dunlap, Donna Edmonds, Ann Harting, Kathy Hogg, Dennis Keyes, Jason Floyd Lewis, Karen Mortland, Charlie Platt, Nissa Rappoport, Cathy & Jack Trzeciak, and Heidi Wirtner.
Open weekends at 17 Main Street, Foxburg – April through December. Autumn Weekend hours are Friday 1 to 6 PM, Saturday 10 to 6 PM, Sunday noon to 5 PM – and advance appointments outside regular hours available by reservation: Call 724-659-3153
Enjoy the Day in Foxburg
ALLEGHENY GRILLE
MAKE IT LUNCH or DINNER AND A CONCERT: During the holiday season before or after one of ARCA’s Christmas concerts, enjoy the fine dining menu at the Allegheny Grille – at a table in front of the fireplace – cozy and warm – or at a table overlooking the Allegheny River, beautiful in any season!
Enjoy their seasonal cocktails, weekend specials and enticing desserts.
Be sure to make a reservation to ensure that you have a seat – and plan to arrive early enough before a concert to be served in their main dining room with plenty of time to get to Lincoln Hall!
FOXBURG PIZZA
Or for more casual fare, dine at Foxburg Pizza with delicious salads, a huge variety of sandwiches and pizzas of the month – and every combination you can think of!
FOXBURG WINE CELLARS
Be sure to save time to enjoy a wine tasting in the newly renovated Foxburg Wine Cellars or enjoy a bottle of wine on the beautiful patio insulated for winter enjoyment.
Or do some Christmas shopping for stocking stuffers – and bottles of Foxburg specialty wines and after-dinner dessert wines as hostess gifts for holiday parties and for your holiday celebrations, as well as unique wine-related stocking stuffers for those wine lovers on your list.
Not to mention something for yourself, like their deliciously robust River Queen, guaranteed to warm you on cold winter nights.
FOXBURG INN
Plan to enjoy a pre-thanksgiving weekend – before all the food preparation – enjoying the peace of the valley and the concert of the Backtrack Vocals – extending your stay on Saturday or Sunday night at the newly renovated, romantic Foxburg Inn, where every room has a view of the river!
If you reserve early, you can get the room with the fireplace!
