5th Annual BroadwayCon Kicks Off January 24 With 3 Days of Broadway Fan Fever
From show panels featuring Beetlejuice and Moulin Rouge! to interviews with Donna McKechnie to autograph signings, and more, don’t miss the ultimate behind-the-scenes convention.
From a Sketch to an App to Change How We Sing
Andrew Goren at 20 has built Harmony Helper, a newly launched app, from his own experiences and observations in the live stage rehearsal and audition environment. He has built his undergraduate program around this work, and brought together a team of professionals to see it launched. Andrew shares some of that journey as well as his experiences in building and launching a product based on drawings from when he was 13.
Harmony Helper at BroadwayCon 2020
The Harmony Helper team at our BroadwayCon booth
Attended by over 5,000 theatre enthusiasts worldwide, BroadwayCon is among the most anticipated events of the year and Harmony Helper was honored to be at the center of the action for the fourth consecutive year.
Attendees stepping through the double doors of the New York Midtown Hilton convention hall were greeted by an unmistakable atmosphere and energy: Broadway fans of all ages promenading in their elaborate and carefully constructed costumes, writers and producers engaging in deliberate discussions on the Broadway production process, kids taking selfies with their Broadway idols — all unfolding to the tune of the Broadway classics being sung throughout the hall.
The Harmony Helper booth was bigger and louder than ever this year. We were thrilled to share our passion for musical theatre with everyone who stopped by and to have the opportunity to demonstrate hands-on how the Harmony Helper app can support singers in achieving their vocal goals.
Here’s a look at four of the fun and inspiring events Harmony Helper hosted at BroadwayCon 2020:
The Harmony Helper Rising Stars Singing Contest
Making its spectacular return this year was the Rising Stars Singing Contest. The contest was such a hit last year that we opened it up to everyone, allowing performers to both join from home via social media submission and in-person on the Harmony Helper BroadwayCon stage. The contest showcased over 140 talented up-and-coming performers, with three daily winners and one crowned the overall winner of BroadwayCon 2020.
Congratulations to our winners!
Sunday and Overall Winner: Nicholas Hambruch (@nickofmusic)
Song: “Evermore”
Saturday Winner: Jacob Atkins (@thejacobatkins_)
Song: “Santa Fe”
Friday: Bailey Mienik (@baileyonbway)
Song: “Watch What Happens”
The Harmony Helper stage was also graced by special guest performances from the cast of Unmasked!, a new play from Paper Mill Playhouse inspired by stories and songs from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s remarkable life. Angel Lozada, Mauricio Martinez, and Kara Haller each performed beautiful renditions of songs from the play. But the guest performances didn’t stop there — America’s Got Talent “Golden Buzzer” winner Luke Islam took the stage for a surprise performance, receiving a standing ovation from onlookers.
https://youtu.be/DZQsCcujv-Q
A surprise performance from Luke Islam received a standing ovation.
Broadway Trivia Walk
The fun wasn’t limited to the Harmony Helper booth: we brought our Broadway buzz to attendees all over the convention center. Equipped with some fun Broadway questions and a bag full of prizes, we embarked on a Broadway Trivia Walk, putting Broadway fanatics to the test with brain teasers like,”What are the differences between a Broadway and Off-Broadway show?” and “What was the first musical written by an all-women team?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1NeaYs7VjY&feature=youtu.be
Harmony Helper quizzed attendees during a Broadway Trivia Walk.
Self-Care For Singers Panel Discussion
When you’re grinding non-stop to break into Broadway or keep up with a demanding performance schedule, it can be difficult to make your personal well-being a priority. To shed light on this important topic, Harmony Helper CEO Andrew Goren led a panel discussion on self-care for singers featuring Broadway stars Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock) and Nikki M. James (Once On This Island, Les Misérables), vocal specialists Amanda Flynn and Robert Edwin, and Celine Dion’s personal medical professional Dr. Gwen Korovin.
The discussion highlighted overall self-care, how to prevent injury as a singer, and advice on singing technique. One key takeaway from Amanda Flynn captured the panel sentiment perfectly: “The best way to take care of the show is to take care of the actor.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWVI-kB7uqI
Harmony Helper CEO Andrew Goren led a panel discussion on self-care for singers.
Autograph Signing
One of BroadwayCon’s main attractions is the chance to meet and speak with some of Broadway’s most celebrated stars. Connecting Broadway icons with their biggest fans, Harmony Helper partnered with Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls), Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud, The Lion King), Rob McClure (Beetlejuice, Mrs. Doubtfire), and Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock), to host an autograph signing and meet and greet.
The excitement was palpable as long queues formed for every guest star and fans waited for their chance to meet their Broadway heroes. And that excitement wasn’t one-sided! Rob McClure was so enthusiastic to meet fans that he stayed after hours to keep signing autographs and taking pictures.
Harmony Helper gave fans a chance to connect with their Broadway idols.
Until Next Time!
With jaw-dropping vocal performances, an insightful panel, and a magical atmosphere, BroadwayCon 2020 was one for the books.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth and chatted with us, shared their incredible singing talent, and attended our Broadway star meet and greet. It was you and your participation that made this year particularly special.
Harmony Helper is already counting down the days until BroadwayCon 2021 — we’ll see you there!
Do you have fun photos to share from BroadwayCon? Post them to social media with the hashtag #HarmonyHelper for a chance to be featured on our feed!
Harmony Helper Unveils First App to Give Singers a 24/7 Digital Rehearsal Room that Delivers Better Performances
New Singer Learning Tool includes the First and Only Customizable Sheet Music Scanner
Mount Laurel, New Jersey | October 29, 2019
Harmony Helper®, the premier app that provides singers the convenience and control of a 24/7 digital rehearsal room anytime, anywhere - today announced the full launch of the first and only product that adds customizable sheet music scanning to simplify practicing and help singers deliver their best performance. The Harmony Helper app allows singers that cannot afford a vocal coach or rehearsal space to develop the skill levels they need to make the most of their time in the spotlight. It levels the playing field for amateurs and pros alike.
Based on patented technology, the app is the first comprehensive, easy-to-use learning tool that features accurate real-time feedback, vocal part customization, pitch tracking, record/playback, and vocal part volume control.
“As a musical theatre actor myself, I know that old school rehearsals can leave you feeling frustrated and unprepared,” said Andrew Goren, founder and CEO of Harmony Helper. “With Harmony Helper, everyone has access to the professional-caliber tools they need, whether they’re singing at home for friends or rehearsing for a Broadway audition. With great rehearsals come great confidence. Now every singer can deliver the performance of their lives.”
Harmony Helper’s new customizable sheet music scanning feature is the first and only of its kind. Users simply upload or take a photo of their sheet music. Harmony Helper then uses Optical Music Recognition (OMR) technology to auto-generate vocal parts. The user then creates their own custom vocal part by answering a few questions about the song. The song is then translated into an easy-to-read piano roll format with accompaniment and flexible part volume controls, giving singers the ability to isolate specific vocal parts and sound while practicing. This unique feature makes all music available to practice the moment a singer is ready to begin learning. For singers who are just learning or struggle with reading sheet music, this patented technology eliminates the friction to allow the aspiring singer to practice. Performers no longer need to be dependent on scheduling time with accompanists to play and record music, and the real-time feedback feature takes away the stress of scheduling with a coach to quickly prepare for an audition or performance.
“Harmony Helper is an indispensable educational resource that will change how every individual and music group approaches learning music,” said Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director, Paper Mill Playhouse. “Harmony Helper solves a myriad of logistical issues facing performers and beginners while giving students the confidence they need to master their music. I consider this app a true game-changer for the arts industry.”
“Learning to sing requires only one really big commitment: practice. Harmony Helper allows you to practice singing anytime, while simultaneously training both your brain and ear,” said Rob McClure, Tony-nominated actor and artistic advisor at Harmony Helper. “Unlike other apps on the market, Harmony Helper makes it possible for singers to practice any song they want with no song library limit. The sheet music scanner feature puts control back into the singer’s hands, without having to impose on your Musical Director or accompanist to record their individual parts. As a Broadway performer, this is incredibly valuable and a first for the industry.”
Harmony Helper’s transformative features include:
- Sheet Music scanning/conversion: Allows singers to simply take a photo of any sheet music or upload directly into the app. Using OMR technology, written music is converted to MusicXML and MIDI so it can be viewed in a piano roll format, heard, and rehearsed.
- Vocal part customization: Singers create their custom vocal part for a more personalized experience.
- Real-time feedback: Patented pitch tracker accurately visualizes the singer’s pitch and timing in real-time, calibrated to their abilities and level of expertise.
- Vocal Part Volume Controls: Hear the song in a multitude of different ways using volume controls for vocal parts, metronome, and accompaniment.
- Guided Approach to Learning: Patented 5-Step Approach to Learning and Holding Harmonies equips singers with the necessary tools to tackle even the most complex songs, so they can walk into every live performance or rehearsal confidently prepared.
- Easy Record and Playback: Listen to a song anytime and anywhere, then step into a quiet room to record/practice. Then listen to the recording take alone or with other vocal parts.
In the coming months, Harmony Helper will be announcing the general release of its group sharing features. The patented technology will enable music directors, coaches, and teachers to seamlessly share songbooks and instructions with performers and group members. Performers will receive their music via the app and can easily isolate their part so they can practice on their own time, not just when the director or accompanist is available.
Pricing:
- Free 7-day trial (unlimited songs)
- Monthly subscription (unlimited songs): $4.99
- Annual subscription (unlimited songs): $49.99
Availability:
Harmony Helper is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
About Harmony Helper:
Harmony Helper is a singer’s best friend and the only app that utilizes patented technologies to provide singers with the convenience and control of a 24/7 digital rehearsal room anytime, anywhere, regardless of skill level. Harmony Helper improves singing accuracy and builds confidence, helping singers and performance groups deliver their best performances. The innovative learning tool is easy-to-use and complete with the most comprehensive list of features, including part customization, sheet music scanning, real-time feedback, vocal part volume control and a novel 5-step approach to mastering a song. Founded in 2017 by CEO and founder Andrew Goren, Harmony Helper is comprised of a passionate team of expert technologists, seasoned entrepreneurs, and well-respected Broadway performers and performance experts. For more information, visit https://harmonyhelper.com.
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Harmony Helper and the Harmony Helper logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Harmony Helper. All other product and company names and marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification.
22 Entrepreneurs Explain What Being A CEO Means To Them
In a round-up article from CEO Blog Nation, Andrew explains the thrilling and humbling experience of being the CEO of Harmony Helper, and his desire to chart the path for other young entrepreneurs.
6 Reasons Why Startups Should Hire Employees With a Background in Performing Arts
With a worldwide skills shortage, startups face tough challenges when it comes to screening and hiring top talent. Andrew Goren, Founder, and CEO of Harmony Helper explores the top six reasons why startups should consider hiring employees with a background in performing arts.