MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (August 29, 2011) — Artistic Director Philip Brunelle and the Board of VocalEssence are pleased to announce that Mary Ann Pulk, who has served as Managing Director of VocalEssence since 2003, has been promoted to the role of Executive Director.

“A major part of what makes VocalEssence so successful is the blend of Philip Brunelle’s artistic vision with the strength of Mary Ann Pulk’s operational talents,” states Board President Dave Mona. “Mary Ann has long been recognized both locally and nationally as a leader in the vocal music field. She employs wide set of skills to make VocalEssence both an operational and a musical success story. She richly deserves her new title of Executive Director.”

“As the Board completes the three-year Strategic Planning process, we wanted to recognize the outstanding leadership of Mary Ann Pulk by changing her title to that of Executive Director,” adds Philip Brunelle.  “Her work with VocalEssence over the past eight years has been exemplary, and I am delighted with the show of confidence by the Board.”

Mary Ann Pulk joined VocalEssence as managing director in 2003. Under her leadership she has firmly established the VocalEssence brand name as representing excellence in choral music and community engagement programs. During her tenure the organization has expanded its core of professional singers who tour regionally and internationally; released seven recordings on the Clarion label; expanded the WITNESS School Program and created ¡Cantaré!, a new exploration of the music of Mexican composers; and mounted a major festival celebrating the music of William Bolcom.

A professional musician in her own right, Mary Ann is a member of the oboe section of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. She received a bachelor of fine arts in music education from Ohio University. At Florida State University, she continued master’s level studies in music history and literature. At Stanford University, she participated in the inaugural class of the national Executive Nonprofit Leadership training program for arts administrators.

Mary Ann is recognized as a leader and mentor in the national choral music scene, serving as a regular member of Chorus America’s Choral Management Institute faculty. In 2007 and 2009 she served as a music panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. Active in the Minnesota arts community, she is a member of the board of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the Minnesota Boychoir advisory board. She served on the Advisory Committee of the Minneapolis Plan for Arts and Culture.

Prior to joining the staff of VocalEssence, Mary Ann was the executive director of the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Boys Choir. Previously she served as general manager of the Mesa (Arizona) Symphony Orchestra, taught music in the public schools, and was director of education for the Phoenix Symphony.

For more information, contact Katryn Conlin, Communications Manager, 612-547-1457 (kconlin@vocalessence.org).

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