A note from Pastor Travis 9/23/21

Dear FUMC Family and Friends,

I am pleased to announce that we have hired a new Music Director. SPRC and the Music Director Search Committee are excited to welcome Grace Kang to our church. There are still a few details to work out, but we hope that she will begin on Sunday, October 3.

Grace has a deep understanding of worship and the importance music plays in worship and in the whole life of the church. She has vast experience as a church Music Director and is a gifted musician. She has vision, and we are excited about the ways she will shape and guide our music ministry. Below is some biographical information about Grace. We hope that you will join us on Sunday, October 3, to welcome her to our congregation and staff.

A passionate Christian and a devoted church musician, Grace Kang was born in South Korea. Grace’s grandmother founded a church during the Korean War, and thereafter the family passed on the faith from generation to generation. Growing up in a Christian family, Grace began serving in worship leadership positions from an early age as a soloist and an accompanist. 

Grace moved to the United States at the age of twelve, and lived in southern California until she came to Boston for college. Grace holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with Opera emphasis from Boston Conservatory, and a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University, where she was chosen to be the Soprano Soloist for the Boston University Concert Choir in 2005. While in school, she performed numerous operatic works and concerts in both the U.S. and S. Korea. She was also a semi-finalist for the Orpheus Competition in 2006.

In addition to her musical degrees, Grace also holds an M.B.A. degree from Northeastern University with a concentration in international business management, and she is currently part of the Global Executive Leadership program at Yale School of Management.

After completing her first Masters degree at Boston University, Grace quickly realized that she desires to use her musical talent for worship services. Grace started her first Soprano Soloist position at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, where later she also led summer worship and evening services with voice and piano. After that, Grace served as a Minister of Music and a Music Director at various churches in New England for many years. She spent 2017 to mid-2021 in California, where her brother’s family lives. During her time in California, she was a Music Director at Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church. While in California, Grace had a fun experience singing at a concert alongside various local church choirs, comprising approximately 1,000 singers, under the direction of the famous composer and conductor, John Rutter, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California. 

As her educational background suggests, Grace is also a full-time financial professional in downtown Boston. Grace is the Head of Portfolio Operations at Boston Partners Global Investors. Grace also currently serves on the Board of Directors at ISITC, the industry trade group focused on developing standards and best practices in financial services operations. Before coming to Boston Partners, Grace was a Vice President at the TCW Group, an investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. 

Classically trained and also conversant with contemporary music, Grace has demonstrated flexible leadership, and has adopted various musical styles into her worship services. Her first gospel album was released in 2012.

Blessings,

Pastor Travis