Known MPLS | Uplifting Voices and Uniting Communities

Armory Experience

Lift Every Voice

Roll Call

American Requiem → Freedom

Keep Marching

Description:	Known MPLS had the honor of performing at the Naz Gala and opening for Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste at The Armory. This wasn’t just another performance — it was a moment of purpose, preparation, and legacy for our choir and our community. Captured and edited by one of our own, Ty Dowda, this video brings you behind the scenes into the laughter, nerves, prayer, discipline, and joy that led up to that stage. Then it takes you into the performance — the sound, the presence, the unity — the heart of who we are. This is what it looks like when music, mentorship, community, and calling collide. We are Known MPLS. Powered by Voicez Inc.

Description:

Known MPLS had the honor of performing at the Naz Gala and opening for Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste at The Armory. This wasn’t just another performance — it was a moment of purpose, preparation, and legacy for our choir and our community. Captured and edited by one of our own, Ty Dowda, this video brings you behind the scenes into the laughter, nerves, prayer, discipline, and joy that led up to that stage. Then it takes you into the performance — the sound, the presence, the unity — the heart of who we are. This is what it looks like when music, mentorship, community, and calling collide. We are Known MPLS. Powered by Voicez Inc.

Description:	At the Naz Gala, inside the historic Armory, Known MPLS had the honor of performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Soloist: Courtland Pickens Video Recording: The Armory Team This song is more than music — it’s a declaration of hope, resilience, unity, and legacy for our community. We carry it with reverence. We sing it with purpose. We are Known MPLS. Powered by Voicez Inc.

Description:	Welcome to Known MPLS. This intro highlights a few of the powerful voices, leaders, and personalities that make our choir what it is. Our family is bigger than what you see here — this is just a glimpse of the movement. We are more than a choir. We are a community. We are growing. We are evolving. And this… is just the beginning. Captured and edited by one of our own, Ty Dowda.

Description:	We were honored to be joined by the incredible Uniting Voices Chicago, who traveled from Illinois to stand in solidarity with us for this moment. FEATURING: Solo Vocals – Katira Lutterman Rap – Junie Edwards Spoken Word – Elsie Carmona Conducted by Founder & Director – Courtland Pickens Special Appearance by The Unstoppable Dance Company Choirs: Known MPLS x Uniting Voices Chicago Both songs — “American Requiem” and “Freedom” — written by Beyoncé, speak to generational trauma and triumph. We sang them not as cover songs, but as canon — our lived testimony through sound. To those who tried to silence us: We are the requiem. And we are the rising.

Description:

We were honored to be joined by the incredible Uniting Voices Chicago, who traveled from Illinois to stand in solidarity with us for this moment. FEATURING: Solo Vocals – Katira Lutterman Rap – Junie Edwards Spoken Word – Elsie Carmona Conducted by Founder & Director – Courtland Pickens Special Appearance by The Unstoppable Dance Company Choirs: Known MPLS x Uniting Voices Chicago Both songs — “American Requiem” and “Freedom” — written by Beyoncé, speak to generational trauma and triumph. We sang them not as cover songs, but as canon — our lived testimony through sound. To those who tried to silence us: We are the requiem. And we are the rising.

Description:	At a time when the world feels heavy — we lifted our voices in resistance and hope. From the musical SUFFS, “Keep Marching” is a bold anthem of perseverance — originally rooted in the women’s suffrage movement, but transcending generations and causes. It’s a rallying cry for anyone who has ever had to fight to be seen, to be heard, to be free. We were honored to be joined by the incredible Uniting Voices Chicago, who traveled from Illinois to stand in solidarity with us for this moment. Soloist: Samara Springer Conductor: Courtland Pickens Choirs: Known MPLS x Uniting Voices Chicago As the song built to its final declaration, we didn’t just sing — we marched. Down the aisles, through the room, roses in hand. We offered each guest a flower and a word: KEEP MARCHING. A mantra. A movement. A reminder that even when it’s hard — especially when it’s hard — we don’t give up. We keep the faith. We keep our dignity. We keep marching. In a world filled with injustice, war, grief, and division — may this song be a spark.

Description:

At a time when the world feels heavy — we lifted our voices in resistance and hope. From the musical SUFFS, “Keep Marching” is a bold anthem of perseverance — originally rooted in the women’s suffrage movement, but transcending generations and causes. It’s a rallying cry for anyone who has ever had to fight to be seen, to be heard, to be free. We were honored to be joined by the incredible Uniting Voices Chicago, who traveled from Illinois to stand in solidarity with us for this moment. Soloist: Samara Springer Conductor: Courtland Pickens Choirs: Known MPLS x Uniting Voices Chicago As the song built to its final declaration, we didn’t just sing — we marched. Down the aisles, through the room, roses in hand. We offered each guest a flower and a word: KEEP MARCHING. A mantra. A movement. A reminder that even when it’s hard — especially when it’s hard — we don’t give up. We keep the faith. We keep our dignity. We keep marching. In a world filled with injustice, war, grief, and division — may this song be a spark.

A Night with the King

A Night with the King was a sold-out, three-act experience designed to tell the story of Christ through worship, artistry, and community. Hosted with warmth and intention by the incomparable Maya Marchelle, the evening invited the audience into a sacred celebration—from reverent storytelling to joyful Christmas classics to high praise that filled the room with energy and hope.

Experience It

More Than a Choir. A Place to Be Known.

Founded by Minneapolis educator, musician, mentor, and community leader Courtland Pickens, Known MPLS has spent more than seven years creating space where young people can be seen, heard, supported and celebrated.

What began with a passion for bringing young voices together has grown into a thriving youth and young adult community that uses music, mentorship, leadership development, faith, and professional experiences to help young people discover their voice, build confidence, develop their gifts, and become the leaders they were created to be.

Under Courtland’s leadership, Known MPLS has created opportunities for young people to perform on some of the region’s biggest stages, work alongside world class artists, serve their community, and experience opportunities they may have never imagined possible.

But at the heart of Known MPLS is something even greater than music: making sure every young person knows they are seen, valued, supported, and capable of greatness.

Meet Known | Support Our Mission | Book Known MPLS

Upcoming SHows

Sun
Aug 30
2026

Known MPLS at the Minnesota State Fair

Sun Aug 30 2026

MN STATE FAIR GROUNDS
1265 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, MN, United States

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Sat
Sep 19
2026

Powderhorn Porchfest 2026

Sat Sep 19 2026

Powerhorn Porchfest
3201 17TH AVE SOUTH, Minneapolis, MN, United States

6:35 PM – 7:00 PM

Sun
Sep 20
2026

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

Sun Sep 20 2026

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
3355 N. 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN, United States

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Sat
Oct 10
2026

One Sound MN: Album Release Concert

Sat Oct 10 2026

Shiloh Temple International Ministries
1201 W Broadway Ave N, Minneapolis, MN, United States

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Sun
Oct 18
2026

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

Sun Oct 18 2026

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
3355 N. 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN, United States

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Powered By Voicez, Inc.

Voicez Inc. is the nonprofit organization behind Known MPLS. Known MPLS is our flagship youth and young adult music and mentorship program.

Our mission is to create safe, creative, and empowering spaces where young people can build confidence, develop leadership, and discover who they are — both as artists and as individuals. When we sing, we don’t just make music.

We make people feel seen.
We make people feel hope.
We make people feel Known.

Learn More