Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Main.
Hi Ryan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Youth Chorus of Kansas City started in 2017 with a small group of 20 students, a big dream, and a lot of help. Along with our founding staff members Jana Houston and Bethany Main, I wanted to create something that felt different: a place where kids could experience high-quality music education, regardless of financial barriers. We ran everything on a shoestring budget, held rehearsals wherever we could, and just focused on showing up, week after week, with care and consistency.
Since then, we’ve grown every single year. We now serve over 150 students annually in multiple choirs, with programs for kids as young as kindergarten through high school, plus new options for college-aged singers starting this season. Our singers have performed everywhere from the Kauffman Center to Arrowhead Stadium to Carnegie Hall. It’s been a slow and steady build, relationship by relationship, student by student, and we couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come.
What makes YCKC special isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it. We’ve worked hard to create a culture that is joyful, inclusive, and built on trust. Our singers know they’re going to be challenged musically, but they also know they’ll be supported and encouraged along the way. Music has the potential to teach kindness, connection, presence, and responsibility right alongside the music itself.
We also prioritize access in a real, practical way. Over a third of our singers receive financial assistance, and no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. We foster a community where families support one another with transportation and other needs, and we build flexibility into our policies to make sure students who are navigating tough circumstances still have a place here.
And then there’s the music itself. We strive to program pieces that speak to the full range of our singers’ experiences, music that is meaningful, challenging, and reflective of the world around them. We commission new works, collaborate with local artists, and make sure our concerts feel like something more than just a performance. They’re celebrations. You can feel the energy and heart when our kids take the stage.
YCKC is not just about teaching kids how to sing. It’s about helping them find their voice. And we’re proud that, even as we grow, we’re holding tightly to that mission.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We started with almost no funding and no admin staff, just a few of us doing everything we could to get it off the ground. Early on, it felt like every win came with three new problems to solve. And like so many others, we were hit hard by COVID and had to rethink everything… how to rehearse, how to keep kids engaged, how to make it all work when the future was so uncertain.
But we kept going, and we see each new growing pain as a sign that we’re on the right path. What kept us moving forward was our families, our students, and our belief in the power of music education to change the lives of young people for the better.
We’ve seen firsthand how choir can shape a kid’s confidence, focus, and sense of identity. Learning to sing in an ensemble teaches you to listen deeply, to collaborate, to take responsibility for your part while also supporting those around you. It builds discipline, attention to detail, and creative expression, all in the same rehearsal. Standing in front of an audience and performing something you’ve worked hard to prepare is powerful. It teaches kids how to push through nerves, how to show up for each other, and how to take pride in their growth.
We’ve also watched friendships form that go way beyond the music. Choir becomes a space where kids who might not have connected otherwise find common ground. It becomes a support system. A place to belong.
That’s what drives us. We’re not just teaching songs, we’re helping kids grow into themselves. And that’s what makes the work worth it, even when the road isn’t always smooth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Youth Chorus of Kansas City is a place where young people grow as musicians and as people. We offer high-quality choral music education to students in grades K–12, with a focus on musical excellence, personal growth, and belonging. Every rehearsal includes more than just singing; we work on music literacy, vocal technique, and building a strong, supportive community. Kids leave rehearsal not just knowing how to read music or sing in harmony, but feeling more confident, connected, and capable.
We rehearse multiple choirs for different age groups and experience levels at our central location, from early elementary through college-aged singers, including advanced ensembles and pop a cappella groups. Our singers come from all across the metro and from all kinds of backgrounds. We’ve worked hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, and where excellence and kindness go hand in hand.
What sets us apart is our culture. We’re known for the energy, joy, and authenticity of our performances, and for the way we treat our singers. We believe in high expectations, balanced with fun rehearsals and a lot of heart. Our singers take pride in what they do, and it shows.
We also make access a priority. More than a third of our singers receive financial aid, and we never turn a student away due to cost. We offer transportation assistance when needed and build flexibility into our structure so that more families can participate. We’re always thinking about how to lower barriers and reach kids who might not otherwise have this kind of opportunity.
At our core, we believe that music is for everyone, and that when kids are given the tools, the support, and the encouragement to rise, they do. YCKC is built on that belief, and everything we do flows from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youthchoruskc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthchoruskc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthChorusKC
