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Christmas has come and gone, and just like that, another year passes by with Ball in the House! I can’t believe it…when 2025 hits, it’ll mark 5.5 years of traveling, performing all types of shows, and making music with the greatest: Jon Ryan, David Guisti, Montario Hill, Wallace Thomas, Tyler Nordin, JourneyDay Rhorer, and Oscar Hall - my brothers in every sense 💙 From my first tour in 2019 with 74 shows across the Midwest, to navigating the challenges of a pandemic with virtual performances, to releasing new original music in 2021 after a 12-year hiatus, this journey has been nothing short of incredible. The release of “Ordinary Day” sparked the itch to keep creating, and paved the path to begin an all new original album for the band! This past year brought new milestones, like being on the first round GRAMMY® ballot for “Knock, Knock!” in multiple categories and diving into songwriting for the first time -- a breakthrough that’s completely changed how I approach music. I connected with some incredible artists and producers during this time and received tremendous support. What a community, a huge thank you to The Recording Academy/GRAMMYs® for all that you do for music creators! By far the biggest challenge this year was traversing and balancing parenthood with my music life! There's no more "I'll just get to it when I can", being a parent is a 24/7 job in itself, period! Yes, there were times of struggle with navigating the big change in my work and creative flow; I definitely felt a rut in my music making. I had to make a complete pivot on what I was doing, and hit the refresh button...so, I began to record more voice memos when ideas came, so I wouldn't forget. I started to block off specific periods of time where I could just be creative and free. I soon found a better groove with finishing work when on the road with BitH! Of course, this all could change again (🤣), with my 2nd son, Luca Miguel, making his debut in late March 2025 🎉 🙌🏼 ❤️ Let me tell you, especially to my creative friends, for those who are new to parenthood or going through big shifts in their entire process: it gets better! ✨ ✨ Hold yourself accountable, be patient, take it one day at a time, and never give up! ✨ ✨ With all that said, none of this would be possible without the love and support of our families, fans, and especially my wonderful wife, Alex Cincotta-Guest, whose encouragement keeps me going. I’m forever grateful for you ❤️ Here’s to 2025 -- our best is yet to come! Let’s get it going! 🔥 *In the video at the bottom, we had the rockstar Craig Simonetti sub for us for a few shows back in June, and we found an incredible spot to record acoustic! Enjoy! #fallingslowly #acappella #pitchperfect #music #songwriting #musicproducer #vocals #vocalsonly #acapella
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 This is BIG NEWS and a BIG moment for me... I'm so happy to announce that I have joined countless creators and professionals who serve, celebrate, and advocate in the name of music year-round. It’s an honor, and an absolute privilege, to be inducted as a member of the 2023 Recording Academy/GRAMMYs® class as an official voting member! What does this mean? Let me tell you! So I now have the privilege of participating in and voting in THE GRAMMY® nominations and selection process here in the United States! Along with voting privileges, I have more opportunities to advocate for music education, rights, and community everywhere! What a dream come true!! A huge thank you to Bill Hare (Bill Hare Productions) and Rob Dietz for recommending me, and for your mentorship and support over all these years! You continue to inspire me everyday with your own beautiful work! A huge thank you to Ball in the House, for allowing me to continue my dream of a music/a cappella career. I'm blessed everyday to make great music with you all. A huge thank you to all of my music teachers who helped me get to this point in my music career. I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for you. I cherish your musical wisdom and inspiration everyday I step on stage or work with a group. Among many others, ranging from elementary school to Ithaca College, thank you Paul Tomashefsky, Sue Cooper, Karen Forrest, Joseph Stillitano, Matt Lefebvre, David Jost, Frank Gabriel Campos, Dr. Mark Fonder, Mike Titlebaum, Drew Benoît, Dr. Jennifer Sengin, and Dr. Janet Galván. A huge thank you to my family and friends for all of the love and support since I picked up the trumpet in 5th grade. Look how far I've come! To my wife and son, Alex and Mateo, I am thankful for all of your unending cheering, support, and inspiration to be the best version of myself every single day, both inside and outside of my music world. I feel your love every time I'm immersed in my passion, and I am forever grateful. I love you forever +1+2+3 💙❤️ #IAmTheAcademy  Hello everyone! I hope everyone's music creating is strong and flowing! To all students finishing out the school year or semester right now, best of luck with finals! Summer is right around the corner! To those who have finished school, starting their next chapters, and/or graduated, congratulations! The #acappella world has been thriving, and it's great to see so many recordings being released, and festivals going strong! Haven't seen and felt this excitement since before the pandemic! We've truly come out of the dark and the light is shining bright for all musicians! Still plenty of work to do, but we're right where we need to be! I've been MIA for a bit because at the end of March, my wife gave birth to our baby boy, Mateo Anthony Cincotta-Guest! He's now almost 7 weeks old (!!), and life has never been the same since he came into our world! It's been a whirlwind, but what a joy it is to step into the role of fatherhood! I can't wait, and I'm beyond excited, to share my music and a cappella life with my son!
To all a cappella groups, if you are looking for any new arrangements, recording projects, or master classes, I'm here for you, whether it's for the end of this semester, the summer, or the next academic year and beyond! Let's make some great music together!
Wow! It's great to see so many #acappella producer, arranger, engineers, and educator friends get nominated for this year's Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA)!! Always inspiring, and always learning so much from listening to the best of the best in the a cappella community!
Huge shout out and special congrats to: Mel Daneke (Viridian Productions), J.D. Frizzell (OneVoice), Angela Marie Ugolini (Aurum Productions), Rob Dietz, Harry Nichols, The Funx, Eric Scholz (Eric Scholz Productions), Jill Clark (Jill Clark Productions), Pablo Vega (The Workshop), Liquid 5th Productions, Erik Bosio, Rebel Bit, James Gammon, Ed Boyer, Bill Hare (Bill Hare Productions), Dave Sperandio (Vocal Mastering), Shannon McNulty, Hannah Tobias, Johnny DelToro, Archana Gopal, Jonny Stewart, Christopher Given Harrison, Six Appeal, Alexander Koutzoukis & Alex Green (Plaid Productions), Justin Crichfield, Eric Tarlin, Ardú, ONAIR, Isaiah Carter, Nomadic, N'Namdi Bryant (of Naturally 7), Katherine Bodor, Pitch, Please, Treble on Huntington, Backtrack Vocals, The Swingles, Nathan Harms (Elevate Vocal Band), Tim Bongiovanni (Northgate Studio), Kevin DeLisa (Philly Accents)! Check out the full list of 2023 CARA nominees HERE! Congratulations everyone! Wow...and just like that, 2023 is right around the corner! What a year it's been! I am beyond grateful for all of the performing and music making that was accomplished this past year! I had many wonderful performance opportunities with my brothers in Ball in the House this past year:
We were plenty busy, and blessed, with all of this work! Be on the look out for updates with our new music and album come the new year!
Speaking of the new year...by far the biggest and greatest news of all... my wife and I are expecting a baby boy this coming April!! We are absolutely over the moon! We're a little over half way there -- 23 weeks now! -- and we are resting, reading up, learning plenty of Dad jokes, and getting ready for his big arrival! Some words from your parents for you, our sweet boy: May you see a world with wide eyes and an open heart, May you find and follow your passions, wherever you go. We are always here for you, through thick and thin. We believe in you now, and are excited to see who you will become. Be kind. Trust yourself. Do good. Never give up. "We'll love you forever, we'll like you for always, As long as we're living, our baby you'll be." I paraphrased a little with that last part from our favorite book by Robert Munsch. We can't wait to read that book to you 😊 We can't wait to welcome you to the world, Baby CG!
Happy Holidays to all! Excited for the new year, as I already have some exciting master classes and work booked in 2023! With the new ICCA/ICHSA season upon us, I am happy to come in and work with your #acappella group, in any capacity!
Reach out any time, and let's chat! May you all have a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year! |
AuthorProfessional contemporary #acappella producer, arranger, engineer, and educator from North Grafton, MA, U.S.A. Archives
December 2024
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