If you are interested in becoming an adult mentor and chaperone for the 2023 Lakeside A cappella Camp, please contact Camp Director, Sky Harris at lakesideacappella@gmail.com for more information. 

here’s our 2023 Faculty & Staff:

GQ

GQ is an a cappella and barbershop quartet from Baltimore, MD. Amanda Sandroni, Ali Hauger, Katie Gillis, and Katie Macdonald are four great friends, singing a variety of styles together, with a passion for creating a truly unique sound.

GQ formed in the Summer of 2011 as an a cappella project at Towson University. Since then, they have competed in various a cappella competitions across the United States – winning the 2013 SingStrong Championship and placing 2nd in the 2013 National Harmony Sweepstakes. On the barbershop scene, they are proud members of Sweet Adelines International – representing as Region 19 Champions, 2013 Rising Star Champions and most recently as 2020 International 3rd Place Bronze Medalists and making history as the first female quartet to medal placing 4th at the 2022 BHS international competition in Charlotte, North Carolina.

GQ has performed all over the United States and Canada, as well as headlining conventions in Germany, Spain, England and The Netherlands. They have served as guest teaching quartet and clinicians for many Youth Harmony Camps, and are proud to each be involved in arts and education in some capacity for their “day” jobs! GQ arranges many of their own a cappella songs and loves to collaborate with other artists.

While enjoying success in the a cappella barbershop world, they have also made a name for themselves in social media – making the front page of Reddit with a video that now has over 6.7 million hits! They have also been featured on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion twice in 2015.

Stay up to date with the quartet on their website girlsquartet.com, or LIKE them on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GQquartet.

Amanda Sandroni (tenor) spent much of her childhood on a farm, and in 4H showing cows, goats and pigs, her imitations of farm animals are pretty spot-on. In addition to her penchant for carrying around bales of hay, she was also actively involved in chorus and musical theater growing up. Amanda is a recent graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. One of Amanda’s greatest strengths is how she cares about other people, so naturally, her role in GQ tends to be directed towards what we can give back to the community and to others. She also is the most perfect barbershop tenor in the world, who never gets any notes from coaches…. (but we’re not bitter…nope). Amanda is the vocal music teacher at Chapel Hill Elementary in Baltimore, MD.                                          

Katie Gillis (lead) is a graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Vocal Jazz Performance. Throughout high school, Katie was an avid singer, participating in All-County and All-State Choirs as well as local community theater. She was also an accomplished athlete in lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey. While pursuing her degree at Towson, she handpicked Ali, Amanda and Katie Mac to be in a vocal quartet for her Honors capstone project and GQ was born! Katie arranges and composes music for GQ and holds a beautiful artistic vision for the group. Katie works as a professional singer in the Baltimore/DC area, as well as an organic farmer, and pottery thrower.                      

Ali Hauger (lead) graduated from Towson with an Early Childhood Education degree. As our resident barbershopper, Ali has an impressive rap sheet. She sang with The Dundalk Chorus of SAI Region 19 since 2005, with a total of 16 years as a Sweet Adeline. In 2008 her quartet Whole ‘Lotta Harmony was named Rising Star Champions. They also went on to win the Region 19 competition in 2011. She lived in Orlando and sang with Toast of Tampa for three years, medaling twice with them at SAI International and also performed at Walt Disney world with the Voices of Liberty in the Candlelight Processional. Ali is currently a kindergarten teacher at Colgate Elementary in Baltimore, Md.

Katie Macdonald (bass) grew up listening to the Beatles and to this day swears they were the ones who taught her how to harmonize. Katie has been participating in musicals since middle school and lights up when she is on stage. In late high school and early college, she expanded her musical knowledge in jazz choir, where she met both Katie G. and Amanda! Katie is the administrative member in GQ; she deals with the CD sales and scheduling. Katie is a graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Music with a minor in Business. Katie works in fundraising for the Barbershop Harmony Society.

MIDTOWN

Based out of Manhattan NY, Midtown is a dynamic, international award winning vocal quartet that provides an entertainment experience capable of catering to multiple venues, audiences, and ages.  Well versed in a variety of styles; their high-energy show takes the audience on a ride that will leave them wanting more!  Visit their website - https://www.midtownquartet.com/- or find them on social media!

Nick Gordon (tenor) - Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. He is currently a New York based actor/singer with a Bachelors degree in vocal performance from Bowling Green State University and a Masters degree in Vocal Pedagogy from New York University. He has been singing barbershop music for over 14 years and hates karaoke.

Anthony Fortino (lead) - A native of Overland Park, KS and holds degrees in Theatre, Accounting, and a Master’s of Accounting from Texas Christian University (TCU). He lives and works in New York City, having recently returned from the Broadway National Tour of the Tony Award winning musical “Fun Home.” Besides working as a professional actor, Anthony owns his own accounting company, Fortino Tax. He is also the Finance Director for The Classic Theatre Project, based in Dallas, TX. Anthony joined the Barbershop Harmony Society at age 7 with the Heart of America Chorus in Kansas City and has been “barbershopping” ever since. He is still undecided about karaoke.

KJ McAleesejergins (baritone) - A well known vocalist, vocal instructor, and ensemble coach throughout the United States and Europe. He served for 16 years in the United States Army; 4 years in as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, and is currently on is 12th year as an Army Vocalist for the Army National Guard. KJ is also known as a multi-instrumentalist and performs in several ensembles while running a recording/production studio in NY called "Live Loud Studios". KJ and his wife have been married for 13 years and are enjoying their first baby girl, Stella! He also hates karaoke.

Christian Diaz (bass) - Born and raised in Miami, FL where he attended New World School of the Arts for voice. He later received a Bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from Western Michigan University. Currently, Christian is based out of Orlando, FL, where he performs at Walt Disney World with the world-renowned Voices of Liberty and Dapper Dans. He loves karaoke.