Registration for 2026 opens on December 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
BinG! proudly presents the second European Harmony Academy — August 3–10, 2026! Experience an inspiring week at the beautiful Blaubeuren Monastery, filled with intensive workshops, personalized coaching, and professional development opportunities.The Academy is inspired by the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Harmony University and brings together some of the world’s finest Barbershop coaches to work with you.
Who is it for? The European Harmony Academy offers advanced training in the core concepts of Barbershop singing, conducted entirely in English. We warmly welcome European quartets and individuals who want to take their musical and leadership skills to the next level. EuropeanBarbershop Quartets can spend the entire week in intensive coaching sessions to refine their sound, artistry, and ensemble work.
Join us for a week of learning, growth, and harmony!
„I’ve been singing barbershop for around 10 years now and I’ve attended events around the world, European Harmony Academy was up there as one of the best. An amazing faculty with an honest and giving community of barbershoppers from around the world, I can’t wait to attend next year.“ - Simon
In this video, we explain the European Harmony Academy to you:
Our Seminars
There are in-depth, week-long seminars on conducting, vocal pedagogy, arranging, and ensemble coaching, as well as an intensive program for quartets.
Conducting Seminar
Are you a section leader, already leading a choir or ready to finally step up as a director? Then the Conducting Seminar of the European Harmony Academy is just right for you! In three progressive course levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced), you’ll learn in a small group tailored to your experience. Together with internationally recognized Barbershop directors, you’ll spend several hours each day working intensively on your conducting technique—from gesture and rehearsal methods to body language, interpretation, and detailed work on arrangements. In the afternoons, you’ll deepen your knowledge through specialized workshops, allowing you to explore specific interests and take fresh inspiration back to your choir. Look forward to an inspiring week full of hands-on learning, exchange, and growth—whether you’re just getting started or want to take your conducting skills to the next level! “I feel like my directing is now much more structured and confident. I feel safer and more motivated, and at the same time I’ve realized how much more there is to learn if I want to keep improving.” - Karlina
Quartet Seminar
Experience an intensive week of coaching and workshops with your quartet! You’ll receive three daily coaching sessions with internationally renowned Barbershop coaches—each specializing in one of the three Barbershop judging categories: Singing, Musicality, and Performance. Each quartet is assigned a dedicated coach per category, allowing for personalized guidance, deep learning, and real progress. The program also includes quartet-focused workshops, opportunities to connect with other quartets, and the chance to perform on stage at both the opening and closing concerts. Whether you’re a seasoned quartet or newly formed, this track gives you everything you need to grow musically as an ensemble. “I especially loved that we got so much intensive and individual 4-on-1 coaching time. I’ve never experienced that level of intensity before.” - Jan
Coaching Seminar
The Coaching Seminar is designed for Barbershop singers who want to learn how to coach quartets effectively—whether you’re a beginner, have some experience, or aspire to become a certified judge. At the heart of the program is daily observation of three professional quartet coaching sessions. You’ll be paired with an experienced Barbershop coach, giving you the opportunity to learn directly from practice through focused observation, reflection, and discussion. During the final two days, you’ll take the lead: coach a quartet yourself, receive detailed feedback, and refine your skills in a real-world setting. This track gives you the tools to coach Barbershop ensembles confidently and effectively—your next step as a coach.
Arranging Seminar for advanced Arrangers
The Arranging Seminar is designed for experienced arrangers who want to further develop their skills in a focused way. Over the course of an intensive week, each participant creates a complete arrangement and receives daily individual feedback from fellow participants and a world-renowned instructor. Advanced arranging classes and the rich exchange of experience with other arrangers round out this inspiring learning opportunity—making the EHA Arranging Track a truly unique chance to take your arrangements to the next level.
Vocal Pedagogy Seminar
Would you like to help others develop their voices—whether in a choir, quartet, or individual lessons? Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, the Vocal Pedagogy Seminar offers you in-depth, practical, and Barbershop-specific tools for your growth as a vocal teacher. This track covers topics such as vocal physiology, breathing, posture, phonation, and resonance, with the goal of helping singers unlock their full vocal potential in a sustainable way. It also includes workshops on coaching techniques, communication, and the psychological aspects of teaching. If you want to do more than just hear great Barbershop voices—if you want to shape them—this track is for you.
“I thought it was fantastic – both in terms of structure, the amount of information, and the inspiring energy of the coaches. What stood out most to me was the incredible wealth of knowledge – I’ve never learned so much in a single week. I couldn’t have found a better preparation for my future work as a vocal coach.” - Benny
The Faculty
Blair Brown is a singer and performance coach based in Los Angeles. She earned her BA in Music from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, studying with Dr. Jim Henry, and became a certified Performance Judge for the Barbershop Harmony Society in 2023. As Lead of the two-time BinG! World Mixed Quartet Champion Double Date, she has performed and taught worldwide since 2012. The group has released two albums, with their CARA-winning song Didn’t We named “Best Barbershop Song” of 2018, and is now working on a third. In 2019, Blair became the first woman elected to the BHS International Board of Directors and served as a judge at Japan’s first Barbershop convention in 2024. She’s also an avid cook and certified yoga instructor.
Andrew Carolan has been deeply involved in the barbershop community for 20 years. He directed Toronto Northern Lights, the premiere lower-voiced (TTBB) barbershop chorus in Canada, leading the group in its adventures to Harmony University, BHS International, and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Wales. Andrew is a coach and arranger for top a cappella ensembles, a certified Musicality Judge, and was on faculty for Harmony University. He sang baritone (of course!) with Detour, 2022 Ontario District quartet champion and International representative. Andrew owes his success to the world-class education available through barbershop. He is passionate about helping musical leaders develop the tools to build and sustain their own creative communities.
Peter Cunningham is Chair of the Music & Dance Department and Director of Choirs and Voice at Kilgore College. A Barbershop Harmony Society member since 2008, he is a certified Singing Judge, serves on the Singing Category Board of Review, and has taught at Harmony University since 2017. He sang Lead in The Academy (2014 Collegiate Champions) and with Southern Stride (U.S. representatives at the 2018 World Mixed Quartet Contest). Currently, he sings Lead with Opus IV(2024 District Champions, 21st at 2025 Internationals). A sought-after clinician and coach, Peter works with youth, choruses, quartets, and singers worldwide. He lives with his wife Sarah, daughters Annalise and Claire, and their dog Hazel.
Darin Drown taught high school vocal music for 32 years in Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado, retiring from Grandview High School (Aurora, CO) in 2024. His choirs frequently performed at the Colorado Music Educators’ Convention and consistently earned Superior ratings. He was named “Teacher of the Year” twice and once honored as District Teacher of the Year. For 15 years, Darin directed the Sound of the Rockies chorus, earning seven international medals, including a 3rd-place finish, and led the Velvet Hills Chorus to two international contests. He coaches barbershop quartets and choruses worldwide, sings baritone with Storm Front (2010 BHS Champion), and is a certified Estill Voice Proficiency (EFP) trainer.
Kohl Kitzmiller is a long-standing member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, having dedicated over 20 years of his life to the hobby. His passion for barbershop harmony has been a major driving force throughout his life, inspiring him to remain an active and committed member of the community. Kohl is humbled to be the baritone for the 2015 International Champion Quartet, Instant Classic. Additionally, he launched his own music business, Kohl Kitzmiller Music in 2015 which provides a range of services including vocal arrangements, learning tracks, and coaching for any level ensemble.
Alexander Koller is a BinG! Certified Coach and has been a Musicality Judge in the American Barbershop Harmony Society since 2023. He has been an enthusiastic barbershopper for fifteen years, when he sang in the Big Apple Chorus during a one-year stay in New York. Since then he has sung in several German quartets and was the founder of the European Harmony Brigade. Alexander has taught and coached at several events in Germany, the USA and the Netherlands, including the Virtual Harmony University and the European Quartet School. His coaching sessions are mostly about how to get music moving and how to get the musical details out of an arrangement. He is looking forward to working with you and to many tags at Afterglow!
Andrew Rembecki is a dedicated music educator, vocal instructor, choir director, and coach with extensive experience in choral education and performance. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, he has been residing in Munich, Germany, for the past six years. Currently, he serves as the Director of Herrenbesuch, a prominent men’s barbershop chorus in Munich. Andrew holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University. He has spent six years teaching choir in the public school system, fostering a passion for music among his students. Previously, he was the Associate Director of Central Standard, where he contributed to the chorus's achievement of the 2016 Barbershop Harmony Society Silver Medal. With over 20 years of experience in barbershop singing, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work in music education and performance.
Stefanie Schmidt has been active in barbershop for 15 years as a quartet singer and director. She is co-organiser and graduate of the BinG! Coaching Certification Program, in which barbershop coaches are trained for the BinG! ensembles and is herself a popular coach for German and international ensembles. Since 2023 Stefanie is the first person in Europe to be a certified judge of the Barbershop Harmony Society in the performance category. Stefanie's great passion is all aspects of human communication. As a coach, she focuses particularly on helping ensembles to perform individually and authentically and to harness the natural expressiveness of singing.
The lyrical tenor Fabian Strotmann is among the most versatile concert and ensemble singers of his generation. A sought-after soloist, he performs with renowned orchestras, vocal ensembles, and radio choirs in Germany and abroad. He graduated with distinction from the Folkwang University of the Arts, and his repertoire spans from medieval to contemporary music, with a focus on oratorio and concert performance. For ten years, he has been a member of the award-winning Barbershop quartet “Barberpapas.” In addition, he is active in youth work with BinG!, leads workshops (including at chor.com and the German National Congress for Music Education), and is a respected coach and instructor at events such as the Harmony College and the European Quartet School.
Dr. Timothy Workman is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, where he teaches conducting and voice and leads three choirs. A Harmony University faculty member for eight years, he teaches conducting, pedagogy, and ensemble leadership and is a frequent clinician at U.S. conferences and festivals. He earned his DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at Austin and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University. A 2001 Next Generation Gold Medalist with the quartet Reprise, he toured nationally and recorded three albums. Dr. Workman and his wife sing with their four children as The Workman Family Singers, known for their tight harmony and joyful sound. They’ll return as featured performers at Harmony University 2025 for the fourth year in a row.
The Location
We’ll be spending a week at the beautiful Seminar Blaubeuren. The monastery offers ideal conditions for the Harmony Academy: modern conference facilities in a historic setting, an inspiring atmosphere, and excellent access to public transportation.
It is a 1 hour train ride from Stuttgart airport (STR), or 2-3 hours train ride from Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) airport. From Blaubeuren train station, it's a nice, 10 minutes walk to the location. There are parking spaces in the direct area around the monastery for approx 20€ per week (to be purchased at tourist information Blaubeuren). Please do not park in the inner yard of the monastery.
Address: Klosterhof 2, 89143 Blaubeuren, Germany.
Participation Costs
- for young people (up to and including 26 years) €479, - for BinG! members and members of European partner associations €739 - for individuals without membership in BinG! or a European partner association €839
Costs include full board and accommodation in a shared room up to 4 persons. You can upgrade to a double or single room. All rooms are with shared bathroom.