Find Your Next Level.

Expert mentorship to transform your a cappella music making

Find Your Next Level.

Expert Mentorship To Transform Your A Cappella Music Making

Your Own A Cappella Guru

Work With And Learn From The Best

Rehearsal Techniques

There is a reason that hundreds of directors around the world use our 5 step a cappella rehearsal process- it works! Save time, maximize efficiency, and cultivate a rewarding rehearsal environment.

Vocal Percussion

Vocal Percussion may not be your thing, but we can show you to teach it to your musicians. We also provide the best materials from top pros for your musicians to learn and practice VP technique.

Live Sound

You want your group to sound just as good, if not better, on microphones on stage than they do off. We have the expertise and strategies to set them up for success with mics, monitors, in ears, and more.

Culture

The best a cappella groups in the world have a strong culture rooted in open communication, mutual respect, and kindness. We can help you cultivate your group's vision, goals, and values.

Song Choice

Learn how to chose the right songs for your group. From initial ideas to solo selection to thematic connection, we can teach you how to find the songs that are going to make your group sound incredible.

Arranging

Whether you are arranging for your group, buying stock arrangements online, or hiring a professional, our team of award-winning arrangers will work with you to make your group's charts shine.

Tell us if any of this resonates with you...

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You know that your a cappella group could be better, but you aren't sure exactly what to do.

Our team will meet you where you are, learn about your program, and develop a personalized plan to get you where you know you can be. We'll also be there alongside you to support and encourage you as you build your dream.

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You want to start an a cappella group from scratch, but aren't sure where to start.

We have helped dozens of clients develop, plan, audition, and launch highly successful contemporary vocal ensembles. Our expertise and experience will ensure that your singers are set up for success.

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You have good training in traditional vocal music, but a few aspects of a cappella hold you back.

Maybe it's vocal percussion. Perhaps it's getting on microphones. These intricacies of contemporary a cappella don't need to be a mystery anymore. We will empower you will the knowledge and skills you need to complement your traditional choral training.

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You see the success that other directors are having with their groups and you think "I know I can do that"!

Our hands-on, individualized mentorship approach will help you identify key areas of growth for you and your program. Then, we will guide you step by step as you implement time-tested best practices and find massive success.

If you said “yes” to any of the above, then you’re in the right place!

We've been there and done that

Our team has directed groups at all skills and of all ages. We have competed at the highest levels, performed around the world, and coached hundreds of a cappella ensembles.

Now Is Our Time To Help YOU.

We've been there and done that.

Our team has directed groups at all skills and of all ages. We have competed at the highest levels, performed around the world, and coached hundreds of a cappella ensembles.

Now Is Our Time To Help YOU.

What Our Program Does

What you get as a Next Level Mentorship Client

Curriculum

Our cutting edge curriculum brings best practices from the best groups around the world to your fingertips through in-depth learning modules.

Video Calls

During our office hours, video chat live with our mentorship community, get advice from our team of experts, and be supported by colleagues.

Community

Our supportive community will connect you with like-minded, growth-centered directors just like you who want to bring their craft to the next level.

Personalized Advice

Through our specialized members-only communications platform, you can ask us questions and receive expert advice based on real experience.

TESTIMONIALS

Our Client Reviews

"Run, don't walk, to work with J.D. You can see that his work is world-class, but I'll tell you what you don't know yet-- You aren't just gaining a mentor, you're gaining a friend for life."

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Brody McDonald

HS & College Director, Ohio

"Next Level has had a monumental influence on my education in a cappella. My nationally renown high school group owes much of its success to their guidance and expertise."

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Ryan Perrotte

High School Director, Pennsylvania

"Run, don't walk, to work with J.D. You can see that his work is world-class, but I'll tell you what you don't know yet-- You aren't just gaining a mentor, you're gaining a friend for life."

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Brody McDonald

HS & College Director, Ohio

"Next Level has had a monumental influence on my education in a cappella. My nationally renown high school group owes much of its success to their guidance and expertise."

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Ryan Perrotte

High School Director, Pennsylvania

"Jon and J.D. are not only fun to work with, but are a wealth of knowledge on everything a cappella. I have learned more about directing a successful a cappella group from them than I could have from any book or event."

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Leia Browning

High School Director, Texas

"J.D. is not only the most innovative a-cappella guru in the country, he is also a master teacher who knows how to inspire others. He is a problem-solver, a motivator, and mentor to myself and so many others across the country."

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Adam Paltrowitz

High School Director, New York

"J.D. is not only the most innovative a-cappella guru in the country, he is also a master teacher who knows how to inspire others. He is a problem-solver, a motivator, and mentor to myself and so many others across the country."

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Adam Paltrowitz

High School Director, New York

"Jon and J.D. are not only fun to work with, but are a wealth of knowledge on everything a cappella. I can honestly say I have learned more about directing a successful a cappella group from them than I could have from any book or event."

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Leia Browning

High School Director, Texas

"J.D. and Jon's extensive a cappella knowledge and attention to detail is unmatched. They are very personable and makes the learning process engaging and rewarding for all involved."

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Kinsey Healy

High School Director, Tennessee

"J.D. was instrumental in helping me start my a cappella program, which is already winning awards in its second year. I have also worked with Jon and absolutely love his approach to arranging."

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Daniel Gutierrez

High School Director, Missouri

J.D. and Jon's frameworks for directing and teaching have been the backbone of my approach since I learned them at Next Level in 2019. I've learned so much particularly from his perspectives beyond the music - his philosophies towards keeping singers happy, intrinsically motivated, and fulfilled have been particularly impactful.

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Robert Lee

Adult Director, California

"Next Level mentorship allowed me to not only develop a premiere a cappella program for my school but to bring scholastic contemporary a cappella to the entire state of Arkansas. It allowed me to quickly succeed in ICHSA, NACC, Voice Jam, and other premiere a cappella industry performance opportunities. with my group."

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Chris Cross

High School Director, Arkansas

"J.D. and Jon's extensive a cappella knowledge and attention to detail is unmatched. They are very personable and makes the learning process engaging and rewarding for all involved."

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Kinsey Healy

High School Director, Tennessee

"J.D. was instrumental in helping me start my a cappella program, which is already winning awards in its second year. I have also worked with Jon and absolutely love his approach to arranging."

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Daniel Gutierrez

High School Director, Missouri

J.D. and Jon's frameworks for directing and teaching have been the backbone of my approach since I learned them at Next Level in 2019. I've learned so much particularly from his perspectives beyond the music - his philosophies towards keeping singers happy, intrinsically motivated, and fulfilled have been particularly impactful.

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Robert Lee

Adult Director, California

"Next Level mentorship allowed me to not only develop a premiere a cappella program for my school but to bring scholastic contemporary a cappella to the entire state of Arkansas. It allowed me to quickly succeed in ICHSA, NACC, Voice Jam, and other premiere a cappella industry performance opportunities. with my group."

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Chris Cross

High School Director, Arkansas

WHO WE ARE

Your Mentorship Team

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Jon Smith

is a vocalist, arranger, director, vocal coach, and recording engineer from Long Island, New York. He was a Tenor in the five-time Grammy winning vocal group, The Swingles for 8 years. He is also a university lecturer in Voice at BIMM Bristol. Before joining The Swingles, Jon was the Music Director of Hyannis Sound, Cape Cod’s all-male professional vocal group. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Delaware where he also studied Music Education. While on tour with The Swingles, Jon has had the chance to sing alongside world-renowned artists such as Gareth Malone, Kurt Elling, New York Voices, and The Real Group. Jon specializes as a coach and masterclass clinician for high school, collegiate, and professional singing groups all across the world, many of whom have gone on to receive high placements and special awards at competitions for their performances.

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J.D. Frizzell

is a teacher, arranger, composer, and author from Memphis, Tennessee. He founded and directs OneVoice, a high school a cappella group, who competed on America's Got Talent, performed at The EMMYs, collaborated with artists like The Swingles, New York Voices, and Foreigner, and produced award-winning music that has been downloaded and streamed over 120 million times. He is the co-author of two a cappella books and has dozens of published arrangements and compositions. J.D. co-founded The A Cappella Education Association, founded The National A Cappella Convention, and developed a 5-step rehearsal method used by hundreds of groups. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from The University of Kentucky. In 2024, J.D. was a GRAMMY Music Educator Finalist.

Office: London, UK / Tennessee, USA

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