MORE ABOUT US
Backtrack Vocals is a vocal band from New York City. They have extensive touring history across the United States, as well as performances in Vietnam and Kazakhstan. They infuse heart and humor into their shows, and their versatile repertoire, spanning Top 40 hits, Motown, classical, show tunes, and original music, has something for everyone!
Outreach programs for young aspiring artists are an important part of Backtrack's mission. They have conducted educational programs at over 250 schools worldwide, from elementary assemblies to college workshops and a cappella camps in the US and abroad. Their offerings include school assemblies, choir workshops, and clinics on beatboxing, group vocal improv, pop vocal techniques, and more. Through these programs, Backtrack helps students discover and nurture their unique voices, fosters inclusivity, and teaches about a cappella music in an engaging, interactive setting.
Starting on YouTube in 2013, Backtrack has gained over 113,000 subscribers and 13 million views on their channel. They have appeared on NBC, FOX, PBS, Steve Harvey's daytime show "STEVE!", Broadway's "Kinky Boots," and HBO's "PAUSE with Sam Jay." They made their movie debut in “A Ring for Christmas” in December 2020, and their international presence was highlighted by a performance and interview on Kazakhstan's national morning show "ОЯН!" in June 2023.
Awards & Accolades:
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2024 A Cappella Video Awards; Outstanding Collaborative Video
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2019 New York's Got Talent Season 6 Winners
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2018 Voices Only (vol. 2) Featured Track
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2017 Steve Harvey's Sing Off; Winner
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2017 International Championship of A Cappella OPEN (Final); Best Beatbox
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2017 International Championship of A Cappella OPEN (Northeast Semi-final); First Place; Best Arrangement
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2017 Aca-Challenge; First Place; Audience Favorite
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2016 YouTube Next Up competition; Winner
Introducing our New Lineup!
Left to right: Max Addae, Melissa Jordano, Mike Hinkle, Chrissy Aloisio, Michael Crisol
Melissa Jordano
Melissa is a singer, songwriter, and Co-President of Backtrack Vocals. She grew up in Basking Ridge, NJ and earned her B.A. in Film & Media Studies from Johns Hopkins University in 2014, with minors in Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Entrepreneurship & Management. A pivotal part of Melissa’s college experience was her involvement in a cappella as a member of the school’s competitive group, Octopodes. It was during her senior year with Octopodes that Melissa's passion for songwriting ignited, as the group embarked on creating an album of all-original music. Her track "Kill the Lights" gained notable recognition, earning a spot on the "Sing 11: One Louder" compilation. Melissa continues to write music, and in 2021, she released her debut EP as a solo artist, “Lullabye.” Melissa joined Backtrack in 2015 and has played an integral role in its transition from an online hobby to a professional performing ensemble.
Mike Hinkle
Mike is an actor, singer, and Co-President of Backtrack Vocals. Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, he attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts for musical theatre, drama and vocal performance. He went on to receive a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in Drama, studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Lee Strasberg Film and Theatre Institute. During his collegiate years, he was a member of NYU’s original co-ed a cappella group, APC Rhythm. After college, Mike performed in multiple NYC theatre festivals and original musical productions. Since joining Backtrack in 2017, he has honed his video editing skills, leaving his mark on a number of the group’s music videos. He has loved learning the ins and outs of running a small business in the entertainment industry, and enjoys spending time with family.
Chrissy Aloisio
Chrissy is a singer, dancer, actress, and teacher based in New York City. She got her start singing in church choir at the age of 9, and went on to receive her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware. In college, she studied classical music and sang with award-winning a cappella group, Vocal Point. As Assistant Music Director and featured soloist of the group, Vocal Point placed 3rd in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Finals and was featured on numerous compilation albums such as BOCA and Voices Only. Prior to joining Backtrack, Chrissy performed professionally in the musical theatre industry throughout the US and abroad, directed shows for kids, and taught dance, musical theatre, private voice, and acting to children ages 3-18 at Gateway to the Arts, a performing arts studio in Denville, NJ. Chrissy joined Backtrack in 2021 and is the group’s Choreographer and Social Media Manager.
Max Addae
Max is a vocalist, music technologist, and award-winning vocal arranger based in Brooklyn, NY. He developed his love for singing in the church around the age of 6, and continued to foster his love for music in high school and college through advanced choral ensembles, musical theatre, and contemporary a cappella. While pursuing his graduate studies at MIT, he served as Music Director of Upper Structure, a pop/R&B a cappella group based at the Berklee College of Music, who went on to receive first place at the 2023 Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF) Scholastic Competition under his leadership. His vocal arranging work has been performed by several scholastic and professional contemporary a cappella and choral groups across the country, and has received several awards from the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). Outside of a cappella, Max is also a member of a pop-rock & hip-hop band called The Blackberry Poets, for which he serves as a lead vocalist, vocal arranger, and producer.
Michael Crisol
Michael Crisol, aka Doctor Brick, is a professional beatboxer, born and raised in the Bronx. As of 2022, Doctor Brick is ranked as the 16th best beatboxer in the US. He has been competitively beatboxing since 2016 in cities all over North America, including Boston, Atlanta, New York, and Toronto. Some of these battles include the American Beatbox Championships, East Coast Beatbox Battle, and the Great North Beatbox Battle. He tackles the tag team division of beatbox battles with his partner, Alex P, as the duo known as Snakes and Ladders. Outside of the competitive scene, Brick performs with New York's premiere hip hop improv group, North Coast, blending hip hop with improv comedy as their resident beatboxer. In addition to performing, Doctor Brick uses beatboxing in a teaching capacity under the Academy of Noise, providing beatbox workshops to schools all across the tristate area. For the last two years, Brick has utilized beatboxing in conjunction with the music program at the Lavelle School for the Blind in the Bronx.