I aim for vocal freedom and organic expression in my work and my teaching. I love to work with groups who are looking to feel deeply together, and to strengthen their relationships with each other while simultaneously evolving their instruments.

I’m a 3x Outstanding Arrangement Award winner, and my arrangements have been performed on two ICCA Finals stages, at the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, and at A Cappella Academy, among other places.

I’ve coached performance at A Cappella Academy, The Boston Sings A Cappella Festival, and the University of Chicago, and I’ve taught arranging at the Boston Sings A Cappella Festival and Camp A Cappella.

let’s work together!

e.gilbertbair@gmail.com

  • I’d love to work with you to create an arrangement that makes your ensemble shine.

    As an arranger, I love reimagining songs to highlight their emotional core, utilizing uncommon vocal textures that expand an ensemble’s tonal palette, and most importantly, writing lines that are fun to sing!

    I generally charge $500 per arrangement, which comes with sheet music, a demo, and learning tracks. However, I know that budgets can vary, so I’m happy to discuss your budget and how I can fit into it.

  • Looking for a second pair of ears and eyes ahead of a big competition and performance? Want to renew your group’s sonic identity?

    As a clinician, I value getting to intimately know the voices and energies that build an ensemble so that I can cultivate intentionality in performance. I love to guide singers through the vastly different sounds their voices can already make and facilitate deeper connections between ensemble members and their repertoire.

    Please shoot me an email for rates.

  • Need some extra hands on a project? I’d love to help you transcribe, make a demo, edit/re-voice an existing arrangement and more!

    Email me with the details.

voices in your head

contemporary a cappella at the University of Chicago

During my 2 years as Music Director, I led Voices to win the 2024 Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF) Scholastic Competition and place 4th in the 2025 International Championship for Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) as the Great Lakes Champion. I received Outstanding Arrangement awards for the entire set at both competitions.

Both competition set videos are currently being produced. Please contact me for embargoed audio samples.

“Snakeskin” (opb. Rina Sawayama)
arr. Katie Ko & Ellie Gilbert-Bair
featured on Best of College A Cappella (2025)

“All I Ever Wanted” (opb. Yebba)
arr. Will Cabaniss / solo: Ellie Gilbert-Bair
featured on Voices Only (2025)

A CAPPELLA ACADEMY

high school vocal intensive

I was the Assistant Music Director and co-arranger for Academy’s 2025 global ensemble, Älvidora, working alongside Zahara and Darby Lestin.

I co-arranged the song for this group-directed performance with Fraser Neilson.