Karen Alava | Staff Writer
The sound of music begins before practice even starts. Walking into Heartbeats A Cappella rehearsal, voices echoing around the room, students humming, warming up, or simply passing the time until rehearsal begins.
Soon, as it starts, members split into sections: sopranos, mezzos, altos, tenors, and basses. Each practice scales and runs in its own range until finally, they join together, their voices locking into harmony.
This is the rhythm of Heartbeats, FIU’s a cappella group, where students balance schoolwork with long rehearsals in preparation for events like the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA).
“Attitude is really important,” said David Villalobos, recalling last year’s ICCA performance. “It’s something the judges look for, along with the music and the visuals.” In the weeks leading up to the competition, they had seven four-hour rehearsals to submit the video audition to ICCA. “Even though we didn’t win, we still felt accomplished. We know we put all of our hard work there.”
Heartbeats is entirely student-run, which means rehearsals, choreography, and even publicity are handled within the group. For Valerie Ingaroca, who manages public relations, being a member of Heartbeats for three years now is meaningful.
FIU’s Heartbeats members | Karen Alava
Many of the members have been connected to music for years, though not always through the same path. Some come from the theater, others from choirs or solo performances. Natalie Macadar, an FIU student with music already streaming on Spotify, explained that joining Heartbeats gives her another outlet for creativity.
Others, like Arco Williams, brought a previous a cappella experience from high school. For her, joining Heartbeats meant continuing a tradition she already loved, while adjusting to the college-level dynamic. Unlike many high school groups that are directed by teachers, collegiate a cappella groups depend almost entirely on students themselves. That independence brings challenges, but also a sense of ownership.
Heartbeats members at rehearsal | Karen Alava
Heartbeats also prides itself on being a space where different personalities and styles come together.
While competitions like ICCA drive much of their energy, members emphasized that the group’s core is about connection. Even in warm-ups, it’s evident that they have a variety of voices, and the moment they come together, it’s something special.
Heartbeats A Cappella director Alyssa Ferro-Lloret with members of the group | Karen Alava
For FIU students balancing academics, jobs, and personal lives, rehearsal is more than just practice; it’s a weekly reminder that collective effort creates something greater than its parts. And as their voices fill the room, it’s clear that Heartbeats’ sound goes beyond a competition stage.
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