'Amplified' Student Group Sings on the International Stage

University of Arizona a cappella student group Amplified took their skills to the international stage at the 2023 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella finals in New York City on April 29. Amplified took first place in the ICCA regional semifinals in Phoenix in March, making the group the first from Arizona to earn a spot in the finals. 

"I am thrilled at the excellence that Amplified has demonstrated this year," said faculty advisor and ECE Professor Kelly Simmons-Potter. "The students in the group are outstanding and I am so proud of each of them and of all that they have accomplished! Their performances placed them in the top nine international collegiate a cappella groups in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. It is an incredible achievement and a testament to their extraordinary hard work and talent!"

Amplified was founded in 2012. Its current team is made up of 15 students: three seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and five first-year students. Vocally, the group includes two sopranos, three mezzo-sopranos, four altos, two tenors, two baritones, one bass and one vocal percussionist. Among these singers is ECE freshman Samuel Bever.

"I chose to be their faculty advisor many years ago when a number of the members of the group were engineering students who were in my classes," Simmons-Potter said. "We continue to have student members from across all colleges at the UA, including engineering, and I continue to love having the opportunity to work with these amazing students!"