KC VITAs
About
Our Mission
KC VITAs amplifies unheard voices through new vocal music and transformative experiences for a more empathetic and connected community.
I. Amplifying Unheard Voices
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to amplifying unheard voices: the stories, perspectives, and creative expressions that too often go unrecognized in the world of vocal music.
This means:​
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Championing composers and creators from underrepresented communities
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Showcasing new works that reflect diverse lived experiences
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Creating space for bold, fresh ideas in contemporary vocal music
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Listening first, then lifting up voices with intention and care
II. New Vocal Music
Since our founding, KC VITAs has been driven by a passion for new vocal music. In fact, we’ve brought nearly 100 world premieres to Kansas City since 2015. That’s nearly 100 new perspectives, stories, and sound worlds made real for the first time.
What is new vocal music to us? It’s music that:
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Pushes boundaries and explores new vocal techniques
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Reflects today’s world, voices, and emotions
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Spans genres, mediums, and cultures
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Comes from living composers from all around the globe
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From intimate solos to experimental choral textures, we’re proud to support creators who are reshaping what vocal music can be.
III. Transformative Experiences
We believe that sound fades from memory, but an experience is unforgettable.That’s why we’re reimagining what a choir concert can be. We’re not here to simply perform music. We’re here to create transformative experiences, ones that linger in your heart, your memory, and your sense of what’s possible.
This means:
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Immersive soundscapes
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Innovative and unexpected venues
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Thoughtful staging and storytelling
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Audience engagement that sparks reflection
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Programs that make you feel, think, and see differently
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Whether it’s singing in a cathedral or a planetarium, collaborating with dancers, or using silence as power, we want every performance to feel alive.
IV. A More Empathetic and Connected Community
We believe that sound fades from memory, but an experience is unforgettable.That’s why we’re reimagining what a choir concert can be. We’re not here to simply perform music. We’re here to create transformative experiences, ones that linger in your heart, your memory, and your sense of what’s possible.
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Partnerships are vital. Whether with fellow music ensembles, educational institutions, or mission-driven nonprofits, we’re committed to growing our collaborations to amplify impact, expand access, and bridge communities through shared experience.
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Education is also central to this connection. We’re thrilled to be expanding our educational offerings, including the upcoming launch of “The Lavender Scores,” an anthology series celebrating and sharing the work of composers from the LGBTQIA+ community.
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By shining light on unheard voices, creating immersive musical experiences, and deepening our community partnerships, we believe we can help make space for deeper empathy, curiosity, and joy in Kansas City and beyond.
From the Press
"Modern Vibrations with KC VITAs"
91.9 Classical KC Local Feature.
Interview with Artistic Director Jackson C. Thomas and Composer in Residence Leslee Wood.
"The opening utterances...rose from nowhere with such an invigorating richness that it set an exciting tone for the rest of the concert. KC VITAs continued this unified sound throughout the entire concert, achieving a resonating sound regardless of dynamics or setting. The choir was well balanced throughout, and each section was easily heard in the overall mixture."
Anthony Rogers, KC Metropolis
"For me, the most innovative thing about the program was that the choral pieces were sectioned off with art song. After every two or three choral performances, a single voice was featured on an art song. It functioned like little curtains opening between acts and served as a wonderful palate cleanser between courses.
I haven’t ever seen anyone use contemporary art song in this way, and I can tell you that I want to see it again. It’s very difficult for composers to get their art song into the view of the public, and this seems a perfect solution."
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Kurt Knecht, MusicSpoke
Jackson C. Thomas, D.M.A.
Founder & Director
Originally from Carrollton, MO, Dr. Jackson Thomas is a conductor, composer, tenor, and clinician residing in Kansas City. MO. Jackson is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Missouri (a role he has held since 2021) where he previously served as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities/Opera Director. He has held elementary, middle, and high school teaching positions in the Park Hill School District, Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, and at the Pembroke Hill Upper School. Jackson serves as Director of Choral Music at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Lenexa, KS where he has directed the Chancel Choir, Orchestra, and Bell Choir since 2015, and is the Artistic Director of the Northland Community Choir. He is an active soloist of classical and musical theatre repertoire, sings with several ensembles around the KC metropolitan area, and maintains a private voice and piano studio. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Vocal Performance and German and the University of Kansas where he received his M.M. and D.M.A in Choral Conducting. Jackson's research centers around composer-conductor collaboration, inclusivity, and the pedagogy of minimalist and extended vocal techniques. You can find his compositions on MusicSpoke.com or on his website, jacksoncthomas.com.
Board of Directors
Dr. Joshua Donaldson
Vice Chair
Dr. Joshua Donaldson is the Director of Choral Activities at Emporia State University, where he directs four choral ensembles and teaches classes in conducting and choral methods. Prior to Emporia State University, Joshua served as the long-term choir director at Blue Valley Northwest High School as well as the Director of Music at Council Grove High School/Middle School.
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Joshua is an active clinician and choral artist. He is a tenor in the Kansas City-based choir, KC VITAs, which is a group dedicated to the continued creation and performance of “contemporary-classical” vocal music. He actively clinics with high schools throughout Kansas, and most recently served as the clinician for the SEKMEA District Honor Choir.
Joshua’s research focuses on creating equitable choral programs, with an emphasis on inclusive programming practices. He has a passion for social justice and has led sessions on incorporating social justice issues safely and effectively into the choral music classroom, creating thematic programs utilizing a diverse selection of composers, creating inclusive classrooms for LGBTQIA+ students, and exploring the contribution of women to the choral canon from the Renaissance to now.
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Joshua holds a B.M.E from Pittsburg State University as well as a M.M. in Choral Conducting and a M.M. in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University. He received his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas in May 2020. He is the recipient of the 2017 Most Distinguished Thesis Award from Pittsburg State University, the 2018 Sandra K. Daugherty Award for Outstanding Graduate Conductor from the University of Kansas, and is a recent Grammy-Nominated Music Educator.
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Page Gravely
Treasurer
Page Gravely is from Warrensburg, MO. She is an Administrative Assistant at the University of Central Missouri, and maintains a private voice studio. Page also received both of her degrees, a BA & an MA in Music, from UCM. Since 2022, she has been serving as Treasurer to KC Vitas Board, and an ensemble member since 2021.
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Will Weyhrauch
Secretary
Dr. Will Weyhrauch resides in Lenexa, KS, with his wife and daughter. In addition to serving on the KC VITAs board as the secretary, Will has sung in the tenor section since 2017. Professionally, Will is a research psychologist and team leader for the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, specializing in personnel science and leadership development.
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Becky Giles
Community Outreach and Donor Relations
Becky Giles is a classically trained Soprano, Performer, and Speech-Language Pathologist from Kansas City. Becky performed with Hawaii Opera Theatre from 2005–2019 and holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance, KU, and an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, Rockhurst University. Becky was a founding Board member of NATS-Hawaii Chapter and is currently a member of the Olathe Arts Council. Becky owns a private voice and piano studio, teaching with an emphasis on developing a healthy vocal identity. As an SLP specializing in Vocal Disorders, Brain Injury, and Developmental Language Disabilities, she provides rehabilitation for speaking and singing voices across all ages. She is passionate about performing, songwriting, and helping others bring their stories to life. Becky believes that accessible artistic expression is essential to connection and builds the fabric of our community.
Allie Hornbostel
Singer Liaison
Allie Hornbostel is an alto from Raytown, Missouri. Allie has spent the last 3.5 years teaching choir at Raytown South High School, her alma mater. She originally got her BFA in Theatre Design and Technology from Avila University, later returning to Avila to get her vocal music certification, K-12. Allie studied voice all through college, despite not majoring in music initially. Her whole life has been surrounded by music through band, (where she played trumpet and french horn and was a drum major in marching band), choir, piano lessons and handbells. Allie is driven by the abundant need in our world and community for deeper connection, empathy and understanding.
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Danielle Enriquez-Fowler
Event Coordinator
Danielle Enriquez-Fowler is a Kansas City native who currently serves as Vocal Music Director at North Kansas City High School. She has sung with KC VITAs for the past 3 years and is thrilled to have recently joined the board as Event Coordinator. Danielle received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas and Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University. She spent the first half of career in Chicago with the Chicago Children’s Choir and the Frances Xavier Warde School. In 2016, she returned to Kansas City and taught the vocal music program at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy for four years. She is also a busy mom of two for which she gets to wear the hats of gymnastics and swim parent. Danielle is especially grateful to her entire family without which all of her musical, professional and community pursuits would not be possible.
danielle@kcvitas.org
Melissa Gard
Fundraising Chair
Melissa lives in Kansas City, KS, where she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog Alta, and enjoying the outdoors. Melissa works as the Director of Operations & Administration for First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention & Recovery, a local mid-sized non-profit working to end the addiction crisis in the Kansas City metro and surrounding counties. Her 14+ years of non-profit experience let her combine her experience and skills in property and people management with her drive to help others. Melissa also spends time making music with her church choir and handbells, and volunteers extensively with grassroots social justice organizations.
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