We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mary Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was my First Nations Choral Festival in March 2024. It was a cross-disciplinary event that elevated the music, art, poetry, and legends of Native Americans. The evening specifically highlighted choral music, featuring seven different choirs, and culminated in the world premiere of a brand new Native American commission.

Mary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a conductor, clinician, lecturer, singer, and pianist from Rochester, NY. I hold a BA in Piano Performance, an MA in Choral Conducting, and a DMA in Choral Conducting. I have conducted high school, collegiate, community, church, and children’s choirs.

My primary field of research is Native American choral music, and I enjoy working closely with Native composers and languages. I serve as co-editor of a Native American choral series with Hinshaw Publishing and founded the First Nations Choral Festival in March 2024.

I completed 100 hours of research on underrepresented composers for the Institute for Composer Diversity. I also updated and expanded Dr. Marques Garrett’s list, ‘Beyond Elijah Rock: The Non-Idiomatic Choral Music of Black Composers,’ while serving as the Diversity-In-Action intern for the New York Choral Consortium.

When I am not studying, teaching, or performing, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and traveling.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, there is definitely a goal driving my creative journey. I’m deeply inspired by the desire to help others learn about and enjoy Native American cultural art. With so many language revitalization efforts happening across Native communities, I believe one of the most effective and meaningful ways to teach non-Native audiences about the language and culture of Native tribes is through song. Singing in Native languages not only helps preserve the language itself but also invites others to connect with it in an authentic, emotional way. Storytelling has always been a vital part of Native cultures, and music enhances that storytelling, making it both enjoyable and educational. Through my work, I aim to honor these traditions while helping to build greater understanding and appreciation across cultures.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society can best support artists and creatives by being active participants in the cultural conversations that art invites. Knowledge is power, and so often people don’t have a deep understanding of cultures beyond their own. That lack of knowledge creates distance, but art has the power to bridge it. Culture is meant to be shared—so let’s share it! One of the most impactful ways society can help build a thriving creative ecosystem is by showing up: attend ceremonies, concerts, art showcases, and performances that are not only artistic but also educational. These experiences open minds and encourage meaningful dialogue. When people invest their time and curiosity in the arts, especially in learning about underrepresented cultures, it creates a more inclusive creative world for all of us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maryyoungmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livin_the_marytale/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.young.242806
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mary_young_music