Courtland Pickens
“It is deeply important to me that we invest in the next generation, not only as singers, songwriters, and artists, but as people and leaders. Music has the power to uplift, heal, bring peace, and unite communities. My hope is that through music and mentorship, young people discover their voices, recognize their value, and gain the confidence to pursue their dreams. If they leave Known knowing who they are, what they carry, and that their voice matters, then we’ve done something meaningful.” — Courtland Pickens
ABOUT
Courtland Pickens is a Minneapolis based vocal director, music educator, worship director, mentor, and the Founder and Executive Director of Voicez Inc., home of Known MPLS, one of the Twin Cities’ most exciting youth and young adult vocal ensembles.
For more than two decades, Courtland has dedicated his life to developing voices both on and beyond the stage. His work sits at the intersection of music, education, faith, mentorship, and community, with a passion for helping people discover their identity, develop their gifts, and recognize the power of their own voice.
Courtland currently serves as Worship Director at Epiphany Covenant Church, a role he has held since 2018. He also oversees music for the Youth & Young Adult Choir at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, leading the ensemble for its third Sunday worship experiences. His roots in church music and ministry extend back more than two decades and continue to shape his approach to leadership, musicianship, mentorship, and community.
As an educator, Courtland brings that same passion for developing the next generation into both secondary and higher education. He currently teaches Gospel Choir at Minnehaha Academy, serves as an Adjunct Professor and Artist in Residence at North Central University. Across each of these spaces, Courtland creates environments where students are challenged to pursue musical excellence while developing confidence, creativity, leadership, and authenticity.
As a vocal director and live performance professional, Courtland has prepared and led vocalists for performances on some of the region’s most prominent stages, including Orchestra Hall, U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Center, The Armory, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, the Minnesota State Fair, and the Eaux Claires Festival. His work has included performances with and in support of nationally recognized artists including Josh Groban and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, as well as Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday halftime show featuring Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Andrea and Matteo Bocelli, and the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters.
Through Voicez Inc. and Known MPLS, Courtland has created a community where young people are given opportunities to grow artistically and personally while gaining access to stages and experiences that once may have seemed beyond their reach. His approach goes beyond developing great singers. He believes in developing the whole person by building confidence, emotional capacity, leadership, discipline, self awareness, and a deeper sense of purpose.
At the center of everything Courtland does is a belief that music can do more than entertain. Music can heal, create belonging, build community, develop leaders, and transform lives. Whether directing a major performance, teaching in a classroom, leading worship, mentoring an emerging artist, or creating opportunities for the next generation, his goal remains the same: to help people recognize the value of who they are, discover the power of their voice, and know that they are known.