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.

Known – to be recognized, understood, or validated. Jer. 29:11

Known MPLS is a youth and young-adult choir in Minneapolis dedicated to uplifting voices and strengthening community through music. Founded and directed by Courtland Pickens, the choir blends gospel, R&B, and contemporary styles to create a sound that is powerful, authentic, and full of life.

The name Known speaks to our heart: to be seen, recognized, understood, and valued. (Jeremiah 29:11) We believe every voice carries purpose — and when young people are supported, encouraged, and given space to grow, they rise.

What began as one Facebook post — “We’re starting a choir.” — has grown into a thriving community of singers who show up for each other both on and off the stage. Known MPLS is more than music — it’s family, mentorship, spiritual grounding, and collective healing.

the choir

Sun
Jan 18
2026

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

Sun Jan 18 2026

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

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Sun
Jan 18
2026

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

Sun Jan 18 2026

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

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Mon
Jan 19
2026

Minneapolis Park & Rec MLK Event

Mon Jan 19 2026

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
2117 West River Rd., Minneapolis, MN, United States

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Wed
Jan 21
2026

Breck School Day Workshop

Wed Jan 21 2026

Breck School
123 Ottawa Ave. N., Golden Valley, MN, United States

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Fri
Jan 23
2026

Nakara Album Release

Fri Jan 23 2026

Icehouse
2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN, United States

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Powered By Voicez, Inc.

As a program of Voicez Inc., 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