Friends, colleagues, and fellow advocates for vocal music!  Thanks so much for being here and being a part of this incredible organization.  Your presence here reflects a shared belief: that the human voice matters, and that singing together strengthens individuals, communities, and culture itself.

I’ve been a member of MSVMA for a long time, serving in many roles - Listening Panels, Adjudicator and Clinician, District Manager, State Event Scheduling Supervisor, State Choral Festival Supervisor, Board of Directors; I am so very excited to serve MSVMA in this [relatively] new capacity as Executive Director.  Looking around this room, I’m humbled to see so many faces of people I’ve learned from and learned with.  Collectively, we have cultivated professionalism and camaraderie (with a little bit of fun thrown in here and there).

Being a part of MSVMA is more than just making music - it’s about growth, connection, and inspiration.  We are all part of a passionate community that truly values the power of music, the value of strengthening confidence, discipline, and appreciation of all genres and cultures.  We aim to foster a supportive environment, surrounded by people who are cheering each other on and striving for excellence together.  The friendships, the encouragement, and the shared love of music make MSVMA feel like a sanctuary to so many.  Through rehearsals, performances, professional development, and more, we witness how voices bring meaning to moments of joy, grief, celebration, and healing.

I’m proud to say that, in the last 6 months, we have successfully begun to challenge the “this is how it has always been done” way of thinking and have adopted a “this is what’s best for students and members” outlook - a growth mindset.  

It is a very exciting time!  Our programs are reaching more student singers than ever before.  Our visibility actually has begun to extend outside of Michigan; we are getting requests from vocal music educators in other states to bring their students to our programming.  Crazy!

We are moving toward transparency and inclusion in a very real way.

Of course, on the administrative side of things, I’m very proud to announce that we have seen a, roughly, 8% growth in our assets over last year in the last six months. 

We are committed to equity across programming and have made some real changes to allocation of funding and contractor pay between programming (we obviously have a lot more work to do on this).

We are creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and welcomed - sometimes for the very first time.

These achievements do not happen by accident. They happen because of the dedication of our members, the leadership of our board, our district managers, the generosity of our donors, and the tireless work of our staff and volunteers. I am deeply grateful to each of you.

Now, tonight, I ask each of you:

Please stay involved…or get involved if you haven’t yet!  There are so many opportunities.

Reach out if you have any questions or concerns; we are here to help.  I really mean that.

Bring someone new into our community; tell other vocal music educators that may not yet be members of MSVMA about what it is that we do.  It’s that personal connection that really makes a difference.

Remember: your participation has ripple effects far beyond this room.

I am looking forward to continuing to embrace innovation while honoring tradition.  I am looking forward to continuing to expand access to vocal music for every type of community that we serve.  I am looking forward to strengthening partnerships that amplify our impact.   On our logo we are constantly reminded to Educate.  Empower.  Experience.  The art of vocal music.  And I believe we are doing just that.

I am so proud to be a part of an organization that uplifts student musicians and celebrates the power of  music in schools across Michigan.  Thank you for your trust, your passion, and your belief in what we do.  I am empowered thinking about what we will accomplish together in the coming year and beyond; we have such an exciting future and I am humbled to be able to be a part of it.