What is Hyannis Sound?

 

Who We Are:

Named after the body of water, Hyannis Sound is a professional a cappella group based out Cape Cod, MA.

To this day, the group carries a one-of-a-kind tradition that started in 1994: 10 college-aged singers from across the country come together to spend their summer making incredible music and unforgettable memories.

 

HS in a nutshell:

Hyannis Sound strives to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young men who fill its ranks each summer. The guys garner valuable skills in performance, business management, and musical direction all while growing as individuals.

Since we hold yearly auditions, Hyannis Sound showcases a different cast of characters every summer. Each guy has a specific role to play in the group which is led by the Music Director and the Business Manager.

There’s nothing quite like Hyannis Sound.

 

Hyannis Sound History 101

 

Hyannis Sound 2021

 

it all started in 1994 when…

A young man named Townsend Belisle decided to put together an a cappella group that would perform up and down the historic Cape Cod peninsula all summer long. He began auditioning singers at nearby colleges, and thanks to his vision and the unwavering ambition of the 10 young men he selected, Hyannis Sound was born.

Live All-Natural A Cappella

The inaugural members worked day jobs to support themselves and learned music at night- they say by candlelight, but we're not so sure.

They’d perform just about anywhere they could, and eventually earned themselves regular slots at popular Cape Cod vacation destinations like Richard’s Gallery and the late Thompson’s Clam Bar where they were often paid in plates of Chicken Fingers.

The group’s reputation began to grow with each summer. In the early 2000’s, the group ditched their day jobs and transitioned to performing full time and recording studio albums every two years. They would later land a sponsorship with Vineyard Vines, giving them their signature pastel-clad look.

25 Years of Hyannis SOund

Today, Hyannis Sound is a staple of the community and a must-see experience for Cape Cod locals and summer visitors alike. 

We recently celebrated the group’s 25th anniversary (our silver summer, if you will) with a special concert put on by HS2019 to honor each iteration of Hyannis Sound that came before them.

Hyannis Sound 25th Anniversary

Hyannis Sound 2020

Not even a pandemic could stop the Sound, with the guys finally finding their long-awaited viral moment. It happened on a fresh new app called Tik Tok that, according to legend, only Jimmy, the youngest member of the group, knew of the many esoteric secrets hidden within.

The pandemic year presented unforeseeable challenges for the current group. They’ve successfully adapted to these unprecedented times and, with great balance, shifted the group in ways that not only kept it alive but allowed it to flourish.

Hyannis Sound Today

Not even a global pandemic could stop these 10 guys. As the world adapts to the challenges brought about by COVID-19, the Hyannis Sound is returning to in-person performances and concerts. Find their summer schedule here.

Interested in booking the group for an event for Summer 2024? Reach out to the group’s business manager, Rory, here.

Keep up with Hyannis Sound

Find us on Youtube, Tik Tok, Instagram & Facebook.

Follow us wherever you purchase or stream your favorite music. (We LOVE when you add us to your favorite playlists and show our music to your friends!)

 
 
 

Our Mission

What exactly are we here to do?

 

#1) Entertain & Delight Our Audience

The Sound gathers each year around Memorial Day, and spends the summer performing at private and public functions across the Cape and the greater Northeast of the U.S. Whether performing at a graduation party, one of their weekly shows, or street singing, the Hyannis Sound aims to provide a unique and interactive entertainment experience that keeps their audiences coming back for more.

 

#2) Provide The ultimate Coming Of Age Experience

Founded in 1994, the Hyannis Sound organization strives to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young men who fill its ranks each summer. Through their experiences with the group, these men garner valuable skills in performance, business management, and musical direction. While growing as individuals, they also form countless friendships and become members of a brotherhood that last a lifetime.

 

#3) Enrich the Local Community

While the experience is unforgettable for the 10 young men in the group each summer, being active members of the Cape Cod community remains a primary goal. As a part of that community, the Sound looks to contribute to the wealth of musical culture that the Cape has to offer. The group continually pushes itself to provide a positive example for young musicians across the region and beyond.

 
HS-DETOUR-Disc-Art-1000x1000.jpg

Hyannis Sound Alumni

 
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We like to say we’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Founded in 1994 by 10 courageous leaders, Hyannis Sound has grown into a connected family. Lifelong friendships and connections are made between these inspirational men that came before us, and they serve as beacons of respect for the examples they are for this group. Below you'll find a list of all of the members of Hyannis Sound that have carried the torch of this one-of-a-kind tradition.

Hyannis Sound’s alumni network is comprised of individuals with occupations all over the map. Doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, Broadway entertainers, Tik Tok sensations, America’s Got Talent finalists, Grammy-winning group members, music industry professionals, fathers, military veterans, teachers, and of course professional a cappella singers have filled the group’s ranks, leaving their unique marks on the group’s unique history.

 

Townsend Belisle

Founder

  • A Vermont native in New York City, I am a lucky husband to Shoshana and a proud father of Tess, Devi and Milo. I make a living producing events, digital and print media alongside many, many talented artists. I enjoy music, running, design, photography, wine, travel and surrounding myself with passionate people - many of whom were once in the Hyannis Sound.

  • Every reunion. See? Sayin'. Nice.

 

Rob Stewart

HS ‘94-’95

  • As of this writing in May of 2019, I reside in Northampton, Massachusetts with my wife of 19 years, Damia, and our two children, Ellis - 14, and Misha - 12. Damia and I operate a creative services firm called Transit Authority Figures focused on graphic design and brand identity.

  • We started the summer of 1994 with no venue and no audience. By mid-June we established a weekly Tuesday-night engagement at Richard's Galleries on Main Street in Hyannis. Our first concert was for a handful of friends and family, maybe 10 people, but we worked at growing it. By the beginning of August we were packing audiences of 120-130 with into that small room. The feeling of walking into that first sold-out house is emblazoned on my memory.

  • Click here to check out his creative services firm.


Mike Roufa


Mike Barnicle

HS ‘94-’96

  • Music Director at Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett. Got married a few years ago, and now have two young sons, Johan and Vincent. I no longer have time for anything else.

  • Hearing our recordings of the Christmas Tree Shops jingle played on the radio and television. That's when I knew we had "made it"!!


Sasha Chanoff


Aarron Pina


Alex Bartlett


Darren Coyle

HS ‘94-’96

  • Living and working in Los Angeles as a filmmaker.

  • My 21st birthday

  • Click here to check out his Chasing Sunshine film


Dave Hannah

HS ‘94-’95

  • I continue to try to keep up with three growing and really active kids and the financial planning practice which I launched in 2004. Recent highlights include experiencing the thrill (and nerves) of watching my kids at ages 15, 11, and 8 STOMP OUT the high alpine bowls of Breckenridge and Vail ski resorts in April, 2019, celebrating 12 years of marriage to my amazing wife Sara, and franchising my business in 2016.

  • Don and Bonnie Woodland were among our most influential and loyal fans over the age of 25 back in 1994 when it all began. I remember their support and the relationship that began between a bunch of well-meaning knuckleheads and the kindest and sweetest family you will ever meet as one of the most special and lasting memories from the earliest years.


Dave Goryl

HS ‘94-’95

  • Celebrating 5 year wedding anniversary at the end of August. Lead roles in two feature films coming out this year - Puppies for Xmas, a sweet holiday movie and a paranormal thriller called The Dawn.

  • Opening for the Mamas and the Papas at Barnstable County Fair in front of 5000 people.

  • Click here to check out his IMDB profile.


Judd Tomaselli

HS ‘94-’95

  • I've recently taken on a new career path, I'm training to be a plumber. If you know me, this is quite the change. I'm learning a lot and trying to remember what I learn. I'm still singing a cappella with Five O'Clock Shadow based in Boston. I have 1 son, Griffin, who is 17 months and a daughter on the way at the end of August. It's been crazy trying to get the house ready for the new baby. Still married, coming up on 7 years. Hope to see some familiar faces on the Cape.

  • I think my favorite was singing in the aisles of a local grocery store back in '94. We were part of a promotional stunt along with a guy in a chicken suit who would wander around and pop up unexpectedly.

  • Click here to check out his a cappella group Five O’Clock Shadow.


Brian Sowell


Brendan Largay


Nate Altimari

HS ‘96, ‘98


Nick Niles

HS ‘96-’97

  • I live in Zürich, Switzerland with my wife and son (born 2011), and work as a freelance web designer.

  • One night, a few of us slept over on Nantucket. We went night swimming and that was the first I saw bioluminescence in the water. That was cool.

  • Click here to check out his web design agency.


Mike LeBlanc


Warren Bloom

HS ‘96-’97

  • I’ve been teaching various flavors of music in the NYC DOE for 15 years or so, the last ten in elementary-school general music and concert band. In 2019 I’ll be teaching musical theater for my 17th summer at the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts on L.I. Samantha and I welcomed Amelia into the world in 2012, and Jacob in 2015. I do the occasional voiceover gig, and play piano at services at my synagogue.

  • In the middle of the summer of ‘97, when I was musical director, I went away for three days for a wedding, and when I returned the group had learned Samrat’s amazing arrangement of “Dancing Nancies” entirely from verbal cues written on a paper plate. It was then that I realized this group was going to go next-level, and every show I’ve attended as an alum since has been an exercise in wondering how I ever qualified to be in this group.

  • Click here to check out Warren’s teacher profile.


Tim Harrison


Matt Knowland


Jason Brown


Samrat Chakrabarti


Billy Caleo


James Caran


Jeff Tolonen


Matt Henderson

HS ‘98-’02

  • Raising my 3 kids and playing in two new bands.

  • Outer beach lobster bakes.

  • Click here to check out his new band.


Matt Wrobel


Nick Asselin


Dave Cary


Dave Petrelli

HS ‘98-’99

  • Finished filming as touring piano player for Rayna James character (played by Connie Britton) on ABC/CMT "Nashville". Adopted 2 little girls. Now a music teacher at a local elementary school here in East Nashville.

  • So many amazing memories, and it's funny how the favorite ones that immediately come to mind have nothing to do with performances or singing. Instead, they are all random, fun events that happened during the craziness of 10 guys living in a house together trying to sing for a living. Jason Taylor and I getting into a silent eating contest at Captain Parker's after noticing we happened to have ordered the same meal...trying to scare Wrobel by "falling" on his car hood in the theatre parking lot after watching "Blair Witch Project" - only to look up and realize I fell on the wrong car as some stranger stared at me from the driver's seat...beach runs with LeBlanc and JT...so, so many more.


Mark Hannah


Darrell Belch


Dylan McDonald


Jason Taylor

HS ‘99-’01

  • I live in Zimbabwe where I direct humanitarian assistance programs. I'm here with my wife and two daughters. On the side I'm in a little band with some friends that is sure to rise to a level of fame that will blow your mind...or maybe just get us a second gig. Either way...

  • Dusk, right before a show. Any show. That feeling of anticipation, of knowing something special was about to happen.


Eric Fosbury

HS ‘00-’04

  • My wife (Sharon) and I have a daughter as of February 7th, 2019. Her name is Eva, and she is going to be a superstar at something. :)

  • One of my favorite memories is a show that we performed in Orleans (I think?) in 2004 where we were without the infamous Micah Christian. Despite that, we opened the 2nd set that night with "September" by EW&F, and in Micah's place, we decided to place a white oscillating fan on stage where he would sing the solo. We sang the song, playing off of the fan, and even let it talk after the song was over. I'm sure that there were plenty of folks who didn't understand what they were seeing or hearing, but of course, it didn't matter.


Roopak Ahuja


James Harrington

HS ‘01-’04

  • I spent the last year on the road singing all over the US, and finished my MM at Florida State. In summer 2019 I’ll be teaching at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival before moving with my wife, Marah, to Madison, Wisconsin, where I start my doctorate in the fall at the University of Wisconsin. I’m also in the process of finishing my first book, which will be released in 2020 on Routledge.

  • All these years later, it’s still reunion shows and watching the sunrise on the beach in Sandwich after the final show at the end of my first summer (2001).

  • Click here to check out his professional website.


Gregory Binstock

HS ‘02-’03


Mark Manley


Victor Sandman


Aithan Shapira


Collins Ward


Ed Boyer


Micah Christian


Andy Delong


Arjun Jaikumar


Cooper Cerulo


Doug Fraser

HS ‘05-’06

  • We just welcomed our 4th kid to our family this past January. As for work, I've been at Facebook for almost a decade, most recently working on sales operations for some of our businesses.


Joey Akl


Matt Labak

HS ‘05-’06

  • Living in Hudson Massachusetts with my beautiful wife Lauren and my 19-month-old son Zachary. I’m working as an orthopedics/trauma/biological sales associate in Worcester county supporting surgeons in and out of the OR.

  • It was my first summer out of the sound. I was working at my desk in Natick, knowing I made the worst decision of my life only singing for two summers. Out of the blue I get a call from Andy Delong. He asked me what I was doing that day and I asked him “Why? Are you calling me to rub it in on what magical gig you got locked in? He said “Kinda. Want to sing the national anthem with us at Fenway today?” My lifelong dream. I started welling up in disbelief. My parents, high school friends and my future wife dusted off my old vineyard vines gear and I changed at Fenway park, meeting the guys for soundcheck. It was in a sellout crowd and at the last line of the anthem, couldn’t hear yourself the crowd was so loud. That day, I stepped onto the field my hero’s played on. Ted Williams, Yaz, Mo Vaughan, Nomar Garciaparra, David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez...to name a few. My family and friends were there to see me do it. But the best part was I got to do it alongside my brothers.


Dave Snell


Patrick Lundquist


Paul Toms


Rob Powers


Tim Bongiovanni


Tyler Trepp


Phil Landry


Nate Tao


Seth Ohrn


Brian O'Shaughnessy


Alfredo Austin

HS ‘08-’10

  • I am currently working with the US State Department as a Cultural Ambassador through American Music Abroad and Arts Envoy programming. This past year I’ve created and produced a holiday show for the second largest theme park in Europe and am in the middle of creating another show. I am still performing and collaborating with incredible musicians around the world but really focusing on the youth and creating opportunities for them to share their art.

  • I have too many for just one... Spring tours, the WASP, fire department pancake day, chocolate milk, being the first “current” group to beat the alums in ultimate frisbee, Beachcomber, catching the sunrises, Miller BBQs, but most of all the families that made us feel at home away from home!


Jeff Eames


Joe Whitney


Brendan Mason


Mike Hilliker


Jim Hogan

HS ‘11

  • I've been touring the US in Broadway musicals! Both Sara Bareilles' WAITRESS and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

  • How much time do you have? There are too many memories to count, but I think my favorite moment was looking around during HS11 final show and truly seeing what that summer meant. It was about so much more than music, it was realizing I had made lifelong bonds with each and every one of those guys. It's something I'll never forget.


Colin Egan


Mike Hubbard


Marc Whittington


Daniel Spector

HS ‘12-’13

  • A few big changes recently! First, I got engaged last July to my girlfriend, Gwen, who is in medical school at Dartmouth. We're getting married in Chittenden, VT, in January 2020. I also recently moved to NYC to start a new role managing business & operations at Google on a team called Experience Studio; we design and build venues to host high-value clients and showcase Google's latest products and technology.

  • One of my favorite memories is wrapping up an amazing bbq day at the beach with Norm and Raschel Gray by taking an outdoor shower under the stars.


Brandon Borror-Chapell


Liam Fennecken


Noah Berg


Jared Suresky

HS ‘12-’13

  • Engaged to my fiancé Emily and moved to Brooklyn! Now I work at Bloomberg as a consultant to our clients.

  • Gray’s beach day.


Jackson Thea


Andy Degan

HS ‘11-’14

  • Since moving to LA in 2017, I've been singing in Vocal Jazz/Pop pro A Cappella group M-Pact singing at festivals and Performing Arts Centers across the nation. Whenever I'm not on tour I've been teaching private voice lessons and singing.

  • In 2011 and 2012 we had a performance at a unique venue called No Place Special. The hosts, Sue and Ricci, ran this concert series in their home as a way of healing through the loss of their two daughters. In 2011 it was either my first performance or one of the first performances I had ever done with the Sound. Not knowing what to expect, it ended up being an amazing experience in a loving environment with incredible people (not so unlike many of my experiences with the group over the next four summers). This particular performance taught me a lot about the kindness of people and the power of healing through music.


Devon Barley


Chris Puchi


Nick Cafero


Sean Switzer


Mike Leona


Jon Smith


Alex Spears


Avi Montañez


Nick Oberlies


Nick Cipriano

HS ‘14-’16

  • Since the end of 2016, I have been working on Long Island at Northwell Health- New York's largest healthcare provider. There, I work in the Foundation office at Corporate raising money for our various hospitals, medical divisions, research centers, and academic initiatives. Outside of the office, I'm usually traveling to see friends, working out, or catching up on my books and Netflix.

  • One of my favorite memories is when, in 2016, we had our fans choose what color I should dye my beard, and then having the entire group spend a Wednesday night helping me change my beard from dark brown, to bleach blond, to "lizard green". Sadly, the beard lasted only a day, but the memory has remained.


Mark Farnum


Grayson Kilgo


Anthony Rodriguez


Jason Berk

HS ‘15-’16

  • Following my final summer in Hyannis Sound, I moved to Boston and began working as a BDR for the sales team here. I was promoted to Sales Manager and now lead a team of 12 people - got some good training for this during my time with the Sound. Still get to see the Hyannis a Sound guys a fair amount due to close proximity during the summer, and have enjoyed getting closer with the other alumni here in Beantown! Life is good, but I could definitely use a dose of good ol’ a cappella in my life. Looking forward to reunion!

  • So many it’s hard to choose. I’ll always default to singing Dogstar on the Grays porch under the stars after a long day on the beach reminiscing about a summer well spent. Friendship and music are cool, yay!


Jared Graveley

HS ‘15-’18

  • I've been living and working in NYC as a professional choral musician - arranging, singing with professional ensembles, you name it. I'm also singing with a vocal jazz quintet I founded back in 2017 called Highline, with Mark Farnum (who I sang with on Cape 2016-2017!). I'm currently living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with them and Peter Carboni (HS ‘17-’19), living my post-Hyannis Sound dream.

    Actually, being a young artist is scary and hard but friends and art make it worth it and fun. haha come visit and subscribe to Highline on Youtube!

  • The ping pong tournaments between the 2015 new guys on Tuesdays after our Chatham shows

  • Click here to check out his vocal jazz group.


Ryan LaForest


Beckett Azevedo


Peter Carboni

HS ‘17-’19

  • Thanks to the help and encouragement of HS alumni (Andy DeLong, Nate Tao, & Cooper Cerulo) I now work as a singer on Carnival Cruise lines. I sing with the rock band on board. it took me a while to get used to performing with instruments. Let me tell you, as impressive as Anthony’s a cappella guitar solos are, there’s nothing quite like the real thing.

    I also do some freelance writing and web design when I’m not singing.

  • Too many to count. This one time at an outdoor gig someone in the crowd yelled out “WE CAN’T HEAR YOU!” and I said (not knowing what they said and assuming it was some form of praise) “Thank you!” and moved right along. Other than that: recording trios, bringing the guys to my hometown of Wareham, kayaking, karaoke, and above all, the unconditional love and support from the many families on Cape who go well out of their way to make Cape Cod feel like a second home for all of us.


Matt Goldstein


Nolan Roche


Brendan Jacob Smith


Ben Vance


Will Wolz


Cahleb Derry