A new harmony is emerging in Villanova’s performing arts scene with the introduction of the Villanova Belles, a new all-women treble a cappella group founded by sophomores Katie Koslow and Maya Harner.
Officially recognized this November, the Belles aim to create not just another ensemble, but also a creative space rooted in sisterhood, collaboration and musical opportunity at a time when interest in a cappella is skyrocketing across campus. Auditions and callbacks were held this past weekend in the Mullen Center, where the founders were met with an overwhelming number of students who showed up to be part of the group’s debut season.
For Koslow, who has been involved in music for as long as she can remember, witnessing such enthusiasm affirmed the purpose behind forming the Belles. She grew up singing in choir, performing in theatre and dance, so continuing this creative chapter at Villanova felt essential.
“A huge reason I came here was because of how extensive the arts program is,” Koslow said. “I love the fun that a cappella groups have, as well, you are both the instruments and the voices.”
Harner shared a similar experience. With a background in band and choir, she knew she wanted to remain deeply involved during college. Although she had experimented with a cappella in smaller ways during high school, the idea of creating a new group excited her. In fact, Koslow and Harner met through their involvement in Villanova Student Musical Theatre and the Villanova Voices, where they quickly discovered their aligned goals for the future of the campus’ performing arts community. Both recognized how many talented students were looking for opportunities that simply did not yet exist.
As the two began discussing the logistics of starting a group, they realized how limited much of Villanova’s a cappella landscape was. Many existing ensembles only contain around 15 members, and with there previously only being eight groups, hundreds of auditioners were competing for a very small number of openings each year. Acceptance rates were extremely low, leaving accomplished singers without a place to perform despite their dedication.
“With the student body increasing by around 1,000, we knew there had to be more room for people who want to pursue music,” Harner said.
She went on to explain that this had been on their minds as early as last semester after trying to audition again for any open spots in the pre-existing a cappella groups.
“We officially sought out our choral advisor, Christine Nass, who helped us figure out the entire process,” Harner said.
This was a turning point, and it transformed their concept from a hopeful conversation into a concrete plan.
“It was a scary thing at first to see if the Performing Arts Board would approve it, but they agreed and thought it would be a beneficial addition,” Koslow said.
Soon after, they started designing posters, creating an Instagram and spreading the word with mutual friends who they thought would be interested in auditioning. They had far more engagement than they had anticipated.
“People who we had just run into in the hallways were signing up,” Koslow said. “It showed us just how many students were eager for another opportunity to sing.”
They explained that though the Belles do not have a defined niche yet, they are excited to explore a blend of pop and alternative-rock influences while allowing the group’s original sound to evolve naturally.
“We want this to be a space where our members can express themselves freely and all contribute to what we represent as a whole,” Harner said, summing up the group’s mission statement.
Naturally, a project of this significance comes with challenges. They had no pre-existing arrangements, no performance history and no blend group to work from.
“Since we didn’t have a sound yet, we had to trust our instincts and imagine how voices would fit together,” Koslow said.
Also, due to their late establishment, they now face the task of choosing and arranging repertoire for Villanova’s famous annual A Cappella Palooza in the spring. Most ensembles have had several songs selected by this point in the year, but the Belles must build from scratch. It is intimidating but only continues to motivate Koslow and Harner.
Despite these hurdles, the hard work has deepened their commitment to the group and solidified their vision. As they look toward their first semester together, both founders are energized by the potential they see in their new group. They hope that the Belles will not only expand Villanova’s a cappella community but also offer a welcoming environment where students can grow musically and personally. With passion and a full roster of new voices, the Villanova Belles are stitching together a sound that didn’t exist until now.
