Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Kate Murnen.
Hi Mary Kate, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BS in Communications and Theater Minor, so I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, community impact, and the arts, which is what ultimately led me to Girls Choral Academy. My background is in marketing and communications, and throughout my career I’ve really loved helping organizations and local businesses share their mission and connect with the people who care about it. After pivoting from the tech world into the non-profit sphere in 2024, I have had the privilege of taking on the role of Director of Development and Communications at Girls Choral Academy for almost a year. One of the things I love most about my role is getting to share the stories of the incredible girls and families who are part of our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like many nonprofits, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of our biggest challenges has been balancing growing demand for our programs with the resources needed to support that growth. We know there are more girls in our community who could benefit from our programs, but expanding access requires funding, staffing, transportation, and strong community partnerships. We’ve also had to navigate challenges facing arts organizations everywhere. As schools continue to face budget constraints, arts education is often one of the first things to be reduced. That makes organizations like Girls Choral Academy more important than ever, but it also means we have to work harder to ensure these opportunities remain accessible to every girl who wants to participate.
Another challenge has been visibility. For more than 30 years, we’ve been making a difference in the lives of young women, but we’re still working to make sure more people in the community know who we are and understand that we’re about much more than music. We’re a youth development organization that uses music to help girls build confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships.
The exciting part is that each challenge has also created an opportunity. Today, we’re constantly working on growth opportunities: expanding into additional neighborhood schools, moving into a new home at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, and launching a capital campaign to help us reach even more girls in the years ahead. It’s an exciting moment for the organization, and we’re proud of how far we’ve come!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Girls Choral Academy, we specialize in empowering girls through music, but what we’re really trying to accomplish is creating spaces that allow young women to discover their confidence, leadership potential, and sense of belonging. Music is the vehicle, but the destination is so much bigger. We create spaces where girls can grow as performers, students, leaders, and community members while building skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
What makes GCA unique is our focus on the whole child. In addition to high-quality music education and performance opportunities, we work to provide mentorship, academic support, meals during rehearsals and events, cultural experiences, travel opportunities, and a strong community of encouragement. We want every girl who walks through our doors to know that her voice matters.
As someone who has been involved in music programs and the performing arts for much of my life, I have personally experienced the confidence, discipline, and joy that come from stepping onto a stage and sharing your voice. I also know the power of a great story, whether it’s told through music, performance, or personal experience! That’s one of the reasons I love being part of GCA. Every day, I get to help share the stories of girls who are discovering strengths they didn’t know they had.
What I’m most proud of is the impact we have on our students. Seeing a girl go from being shy and uncertain to confidently performing, leading, and believing in herself is incredibly powerful. Those transformations are happening every day at GCA, and they’re the reason we do this work. While there are many excellent music programs in our community, what sets Girls Choral Academy apart is our commitment to developing confident young women who will carry the lessons they learn here far beyond the stage.
What’s next?
The future is incredibly exciting for Girls Choral Academy! We’re in a season of real growth, and our focus is on expanding our impact so that more girls throughout our community have access to the opportunities we provide.
One of the biggest changes on the horizon is our recent move into a new home within the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives. This is a partnership that will create new opportunities for collaboration, visibility, and community engagement while giving our girls a vibrant place to learn and grow. We’re also working to expand into additional neighborhood schools, introduce new programming like dance and movement instruction, explore instrumental music opportunities, and create even more experiences that help girls build confidence and leadership skills. We want our students to have opportunities not only to perform, but also to travel, experience new cultures, and see what’s possible for their futures.
As someone who believes deeply in the power of storytelling and the arts, I’m especially excited about helping more people understand the impact this organization has on young women. Every girl deserves the chance to find her voice and discover what she’s capable of, and we’re working hard to ensure that opportunity is available to even more families in the years ahead.
Ultimately, our vision is simple: we want to continue growing in a way that allows us to serve more girls, strengthen our community, and create lasting impact for generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.girlschoralacademy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlschoralacademy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlschoralacademy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/girls-choral-academy/
