Baltimore County teachers help quartet become first all-female Barbershop Harmony champs

Baltimore County (WBFF) — Two Baltimore County Public Schools teachers are part of a quartet that made history over the Fourth of July weekend, becoming the first female group to win the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Quartet Contest.

The quartet titled GQ captured the international title on July 4 during the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 2026 International Convention in St. Louis, defeating 51 other quartets from around the world.

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The quartet includes Ali Hauger, a kindergarten teacher at Colgate Elementary School and graduate of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts; Amanda Sandroni, a vocal music teacher at Chapel Hill Elementary School; Katie Gillis, a professional singer, farmer and potter; and Samantha Tramack, a music teacher in Virginia.

In a news release about GQ’s win, the Barbershop Harmony Society wrote: “GQ sang six songs across three rounds, with music spanning Broadway, pop, Americana, and other genres. Their high-energy performances are known for impeccable tuning, rich texture, and passionate presentation.”

The victory marks a milestone for the Barbershop Harmony Society, which was founded as an all-male organization in 1938 before opening membership to everyone in 2018.

GQ has steadily climbed the competition rankings since women first became eligible to compete internationally.

The quartet finished fourth in 2022, the first international contest to include female competitors, before placing fifth in 2025 and earning the championship this year.

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The championship also capped a successful convention for another group with Baltimore County ties.

Parkside Harmony, directed by Amanda Sandroni’s husband, Vince Sandroni, finished fifth in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Chorus Contest.

Vince Sandroni, a Parkville High School graduate, teaches music at Cockeysville Middle School.