MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 14, 2011) — VocalEssence is pleased to announce that Katrina Vander Kooi is stepping into its Director of Development position.

Vander Kooi joined VocalEssence in 2008 as a Development Campaign Coordinator, soon followed by a move to Associate Director of Development. In her new position as Director of Development, she will be responsible for managing individual and institutional giving, special events, the VocalEssence Young Singers Group, and Development Committee work.
 
During her tenure at VocalEssence, Vander Kooi has applied for and received two Minnesota State Arts Board Legacy grants, instituted development tracking processes, increased board and chorus giving to nearly 100%, managed an overhaul of the development section of the VocalEssence website and assisted with securing a marketing sponsorship with Land O’Lakes.
 
Before coming to VocalEssence, Vander Kooi taught vocal and choral music in public school settings for four years and was the store manager and musicianship instructor for the Lutheran Summer Music Program.  Recently, Vander Kooi served as Minnesota membership chair for the American Choral Directors Association. In 2002, she worked for the World Choral Symposium, which held its 6th successful Conference in the Twin Cities.
 
Vander Kooi graduated with distinction from St. Olaf College in 2004 with a B.A. in Vocal Music Education, and is currently working on her Masters in Nonprofit Management at Hamline University.  She is a member of the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and the National Association of Professional Women, and is a Class Fund Agent for the St. Olaf College Partners in Annual Giving.
 
“We are thrilled to have Katrina Vander Kooi as our new Director of Development,” commented Artistic Director Philip Brunelle. “Her work with VocalEssence thus far has been unparalleled and we look forward to seeing what will come of her innovative efforts in the future.”
 
For more information, contact Malia Cole, Director of Marketing and Communications (mcole@vocalessence.org, 612-547-1459).
 
###
 
 
Contact information for Katrina Vander Kooi, Director of Development
612-547-1472; kvanderkooi@vocalessence.org