A Cappella Pops was founded in 2000, when Jan Muck and Tom Hailey got the inspired idea to start a local cappella chorus. With Jan as principal director, Pops recruited accomplished singers from around the Tri-state area, building a top-rate show chorus specializing in popular music favorites.

Over the years, Pops gained a reputation for fusing intricate eight-part harmonies with a lively stage style. The group continued to expand its repertoire to include a range of genres –– from oldies to jazz to contemporary hits, as well as novelty, old-time and patriotic tunes –– and to widen its performance horizons, adding to its original concert offering a variety of formats that include flash mobs, weddings, corporate functions, and church and community events.

Pops has sung at Carnegie Hall, The White House and World Cafe Live, among other venues. In 2009 the group conducted a four-city concert tour of New Zealand.

Upon Jan’s retirement in 2012, Pops hired Pasquale (Pat) Montenegro as music director. A versatile and talented musician, Pat helped the group further polish its presentation and sound. His sudden death in 2017 found Pops once again searching for a director. Six months later, the group hired interim director Miku Shiota to take over as full-time director. In mid-2018, Pops began a search for a new Director, and after a very thorough search process, Pops engaged Jonathon D. Flowers to lead us. Following Jonathan’s departure in 2023, Pops recruited Dr. Andaya Hart as our permanent director.