Vital Signs - COVID, Design, Video

Vital Signs A Cappella was the first organization I joined during my freshman year at Elon University. Over the past four years, I have not only developed strong friendships within the a cappella group but have also grown as a professional. In my sophomore year, I applied for the role of PR Chair, where I managed the group’s social media accounts and oversaw event production. Unfortunately, I was only able to fully experience this role for a semester before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives. Throughout this challenging period, the group consistently faced the question of how to share our passion for performing in a virtual world. With quick thinking, adaptability, and meticulous planning, we discovered innovative ways to express our love for the stage safely. As I transitioned out of my executive board position in my senior year, I continued to support the future leaders of the group as they navigated this new normal.

Spring/Fall 2020 - The COVID-19 Pandemic

During the pandemic, Vital Signs worked diligently to establish a sense of normalcy while adhering to CDC and Elon safety precautions. As we prepared for our Spring concert in early 2020, we opted to transition to a virtual format by recording individual performances from home and compiling them into a master Facebook Live event. This initiative was highly successful and opened up new opportunities for the group to engage in virtual projects during the fall semester.

As students returned to campus in the fall of 2020, we brainstormed various ways to continue performing while maintaining safety protocols. I proposed a series of music videos titled "The Black and Yellow Music Video Series," which would premiere at the end of the semester and serve as a mini-fall concert. Despite the logistical challenges, we embraced this project as the perfect creative endeavor for the semester.

To adhere to COVID precautions, each group member recorded their parts individually in a private studio. After all the recordings were completed, we combined the tracks for video production. Each production day began with temperature checks and wellness assessments as members arrived on set. I served as the sole production crew, coordinating shifts to minimize exposure risks. The final videos turned out to be among my favorite works to date, and I cherished the opportunity to bring our group closer together during such a challenging time.

Find the full four-part Black & Yellow Music Video Series here.

Weak & Vagabond - Cover Art Design

One of my most rewarding design projects was creating the cover art for "Weak," a single EP by Vital Signs. The design process spanned several weeks, culminating on the day we recorded the song. "Weak" held special significance for me as it featured my first lead solo as the vocalist. The song is now available on Spotify and Apple Music under Vital Signs A Cappella, and my cover art is prominently displayed on both platforms. Additionally, I had the pleasure of designing cover art for many other Vital Signs albums and EPs, but none resonated with me quite like "Weak."