People learn they matter when they're needed. I build the programs that make that true.

Three things I built

Different rooms, same job. Find the people who've been overlooked, give them something real to do, and find the money and partners to keep it going.

Atlanta Homeward Choir

An arts organization for people overlooked by society. Men, women and young people experiencing homelessness, singing together.

We partnered with homeless shelters and rehab centers across the Atlanta region. I founded it, and I raised the money to keep it going for more than twelve years: I wrote the grant applications and the donor asks, and I reconciled the accounts.

Role

Founder and Executive Director

Where

Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2013

Funding

Grants and donor gifts, 12+ years

Milestone

A 2015 White House visit, backed by a community campaign that beat its $25,000 goal

Recognition

Braves Country Community Hero Award and 11 Who Care Community Service Award, both 2016

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National Alliance for Music in Vulnerable Communities

A network of eight independent, locally led organizations that give leaders somewhere to compare notes and work through growth and problems.

I was one of the founding members and served as president for two years. In January 2020 I hosted the alliance's conference in Atlanta, at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Role

Founding board member, national president for two years

Where

Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Norfolk, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, San Diego, Santa Fe

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The Shrine, Atlanta

Hired for the music. Ended up running music, liturgy and outreach for twelve years.

I reported directly to the pastor, who trusted me for counsel and to carry people's opinions to him. An assistant and parish staff reported to me. The volunteer team grew from 12 to 50+, and the parish grew from about 400 to 900 families while I was there. I also co-created a graduate assistantship with the Georgia State University School of Music and ran it from 2014 to 2024.

Role

Director of Music Ministries

When

2012 to 2024

Budget

$150K operating, plus $750K in special projects

Also

Founded the Archdiocesan Choir: 107 singers from 30 parishes at the 2022 Eucharistic Congress

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What I bring

• Building communities and networks
• Fundraising: grants and donor asks
• Partnerships with shelters, universities and nonprofits
• Budgets and operations
• Recruiting and leading volunteers
• Public programs and events
• Training and supervising staff and students
• Writing, in print and on Substack

Tools I've used: Keela, ParishSOFT, Workday, Google and Microsoft suites.

Writing

I write reflective essays in a series called From Choir Loft to…, and I've been published in Call to Worship and Pastoral Music.