Dear SJA Community,
After leading a full search process this summer, I’m delighted to announce on behalf of Fr. Jim Debruycker and the Search Committee that Mary Bussman has been named St. Joan of Arc’s new Choir Director.
Each member of the Committee was impressed by Mary’s exceptional fit—both for our spirited SJA Choir and for the ethos of the wider SJA family. She stood out as the top candidate in our pursuit of a director who is passionate about the power of music to transform, supportive of social justice, and eager to build on and enhance the joyful, prayerful, and life-giving musical experiences for which SJA has become known. We couldn’t be more excited!
Dr. Mary Bussman joins St. Joan of Arc with a love of singing and creating beautiful music in meaningful community. Mary received her BA from the College of St. Benedict in music education and liturgical music and a masters in choral music education from the University of St. Thomas. Her doctorate from the University of Minnesota is in education leadership. Mary was the founding artistic director of the Twin Cities Women’s Choir, growing the organization from 12 founding mothers to over 110 singers in her fifteen years with them. As she notes, “we did that by making rehearsals something to look forward to: laughter, connections, hard work and beautiful music.”
Please join Fr. Jim Debruycker, me, and the other members of the Search Committee in welcoming Mary to our SJA Community!
Cheers,
Camille Kolles
Director of Liturgy
P.S. The Search Committee members: Fr. Jim DeBruycker, Fr. Jim Cassidy, SJA Choir members Maura Fitzgerald and Julie Rowekamp, Dennis Heaney, George Maurer, Camille Kolles (Chair)