A Cappella Pops | Our Story

WHO WE ARE

A Cappella Pops is a dynamic, high-energy mixed-voice a cappella group of over 20 talented singers, offering an eclectic mix of jazz, gospel, show tunes, and contemporary hits. With intricate four-to-eight-part harmonies, their fast-paced performances are infused with engaging dialogue and movement, creating a seamless and unforgettable experience that keeps audiences hooked. Based in the Delaware Valley and founded in 2000, A Cappella Pops is directed by the talented Mitos Andaya Hart

OUR MEMBERS

All Pops members are experienced singers and musicians. Each must audition to enter the group, then re-audition annually to ensure the quality and integrity of the Pops sound. Many of our members sing in other groups as well, including choruses, quartets, and bands.

OUR COMMUNITY

Our members come from all walks of life and are active in other organizations as well, including churches and charitable organizations. We are called upon to support these groups with fundraisers and concerts. In addition Pops has begun to offer music workshops for schools and colleges when in conjunction with a performance.

This is A Cappella Pops!

Check out A Cappella Pops in performance and hear from both group members and audience members about their experiences. Our YouTube channel also hosts more performance videos; you can subscribe by visiting A Cappella Pops on YouTube.

OUR HISTORY

A Cappella Pops was founded in 2000, when Jan Muck and Tom Hailey got the inspired idea to start a local cappella chorus. With Jan as principal director, Pops recruited accomplished singers from around the Tri-state area, building a top-rate show chorus specializing in popular music favorites.

Over the years, Pops gained a reputation for fusing intricate eight-part harmonies with a lively stage style. The group continued to expand its repertoire to include a range of genres –– from oldies to jazz to contemporary hits, as well as novelty, old-time and patriotic tunes –– and to widen its performance horizons, adding to its original concert offering a variety of formats that include flash mobs, weddings, corporate functions, and church and community events.

Pops has sung at Carnegie Hall, The White House and World Cafe Live, among other venues. In 2009 the group conducted a four-city concert tour of New Zealand.

Upon Jan’s retirement in 2012, Pops hired Pasquale (Pat) Montenegro as music director. A versatile and talented musician, Pat helped the group further polish its presentation and sound. His sudden death in 2017 found Pops once again searching for a director. Six months later, the group hired interim director Miku Shiota to take over as full-time director. In mid-2018, Pops began a search for a new Director, and after a very thorough search process, Pops engaged Jonathon D. Flowers to lead us. Following Jonathan’s departure in 2023, Pops recruited Dr. Andaya Hart as our permanent director.