Pitchcraft is an event collective founded by two audio engineers with a shared passion for sound, community, and creative exploration.
Our work centers on immersive music retreats and workshops designed to bring artists, producers, and curious minds together in inspiring environments.
Whether you’re refining your craft or discovering it for the first time, we’re here to help you connect, experiment, and grow.
Angela Ugolini began her a cappella career at Florida State University, where she directed the award-winning all-female group, AcaBelles, and led the ladies to ICCA Finals at Lincoln Center in 2009 as the South Regional Champions. After graduating, Angela relocated to New York City and studied audio production at SAE Institute of Technology. There, she also sang with, The Red States, and co-founded the all-female group, Empire.
Angela currently lives in Boston MA, where she spends her time singing with Musae, playing with her dogs, and training for marathons. She is also the CEO of the a cappella production company, Aurum Productions. Her vocal production work has been nominated for over 400 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards and has earned compilation placements on SING, BOCA, BOHSA, and Voices Only. Her vocal editing work was also recently featured on the film “Downsizing” starring Matt Damon.
Angela Ugolini
Michael Brisentine is a full time vocal musician, director, and arranger from Baltimore, MD. Michael holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Kentucky. Michael served as Music Director and principal arranger of UMD a cappella group, Faux Paz from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, Michael established Evolve, the first a cappella group at Chesapeake HS in Pasadena, MD. In 2019, Evolve made it to the ICHSA Finals in NYC, finishing fourth. In 2021, Michael established Sol, the first a cappella group at Severna Park High School in MD. Michael has hosted, facilitated, and taught at numerous workshops, conferences, and festivals including SoJam, NACC, NE Voices, Next Level, and PMEA. In 2024, Michael founded Crystal Vocal Arts, a vocal school emphasizing a cappella music for high school and young adult singers, now with over 30 singers.
Mel Daneke is an award-winning, internationally recognized producer, performer, arranger, and educator based out of Austin, TX. As a producer through her company, Viridian Productions, she has produced hundreds of albums, with over 125 nominations and 30 Contemporary A Cappella Awards, including 15 A Cappella Video Awards. Her production and arrangements can be heard on compilations like Sing, BOHSA, BOCA, and Voices Only. She has been a voting member of The Recording Academy since 2022. With degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Technology, she specializes in vocal and electronic production and has served as a featured educator at nationally recognized a cappella festivals and ACDA conferences.
Mel performs with two internationally renowned and award-winning vocal bands. Musae (as a Beatboxer + Live Electronics/Playback) and Six Appeal (as a Vocalist). Mel has performed at Lincoln Center and the Strathmore. She’s traveled extensively, headlining and performing at festivals across Europe, Asia, and North America, at events such as the US Open and the Oscars, sharing the stage with Pentatonix, Jay Leno, Pink Martini, The Swingles, and New York Voices.
Mel Daneke
Michael Brisentine
A u s t i n, T X
July 16th - 19th
Lodging in a shared space for all attendees for the duration of the retreat
All attendees will have their own bed, but may share a room
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
Only dinner will be provided Thursday (after arrival)
Tuition for retreat
3.5 days of production education and collaboration
DAY 1 - Thursday, July 16th
4:00pm - Arrivals Begin — studios setup/bed assignments
7:00pm - Welcome dinner
9:00pm - Opening Ceremony: Intention Setting
10:00pm - Ice Breaker, Group Singing, Improv Singing
DAY 2 - Friday, July 17th
9:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - Workshop: Producer Role
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Workshop: Recording
3:30pm - Feedback Sessions: Share Your Work
5:30pm - Challenge#1: Team Collaboration, Field Recordings, Sample Creation
7:00pm - Dinner
9:00pm - Listening Party
10:00pm - End of Day (Hang, chill, relax)
DAY 3 - Saturday, July 18th
9:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - Workshop: Editing
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Workshop: Sound Design & Vocal Percussion Production
3:30pm - Feedback Sessions: Share Your Work
5:30pm - Challenge#2: Team Collaboration, Editing, Production
7:00pm - Dinner Out + Activity
10:00pm - End of Day (Hang, chill, relax)
DAY 4 - Sunday, July 19th
9:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - Workshop: Art of Mixing
12:00pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Workshop: Mixing
3:00pm - Session Demo (opening up mixes)
4:30pm - Challenge#3: Mixing
7:00pm - Dinner + Activity
10:00pm - End of Day (Hang, chill, relax)
DAY 5- Monday, July 20th
9:30am - Departure
Early Bird
$1,500
Pay in full
Start with $875 now, then pay the rest by June 1
Payment Plan Option
$1,700
Full Price
$1,700
Pay in full anytime before July 1
Upcoming Events
Pitchcraft Retreat:
Vocal & A Cappella Production
Join us in Austin for three and a half immersive, music-filled days dedicated to the art and craft of vocal production. This retreat is designed for producers who want to sharpen their technical skills, expand their creative instincts, and collaborate within an inspired community of peers. Hosted by award-winning producers Angela Ugolini and Mel Daneke, the Pitchcraft Collective Retreat blends focused instruction with hands-on experimentation. Think part masterclass, part sonic laboratory, and part creative summer camp — all grounded in practical tools you can immediately bring back to your own productions. Together, we’ll explore advanced recording techniques, nuanced mixing strategies, editing tips, and the subtle production details that transform a good track into something truly extraordinary.
Pitchcraft Virtual Workshop:
A Cappella Live Sound Panel
Pitchcraft Virtual Workshop: Basic Synthesis and Sound Design