Brady Knapp is Director of Music at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, overseeing a nationally recognized multi-generational music program. Under his leadership the Palmer choirs have been featured on numerous national and regional conferences for the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, and the Anglican Association of Musicians. The Palmer choirs have taken international and domestic tours singing choral residencies in the United Kingdom, in venues throughout the American Southeast, and at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Additionally, Dr. Knapp is Associate Professor of Music and coordinator of vocal and choral studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He conducts UST’s University Singers, is music director for the university’s opera workshop, and he teaches studio voice to music majors. The University Singers have been featured on conventions for the Southwest Liturgical Conference and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Fox television holiday programs, and on broadcasts for Radio Maria, KUHF (Houston) and Minnesota Public Radio. Dr. Knapp’s choral ensembles at Palmer Episcopal and the University of St. Thomas are regularly featured on National Public Radio broadcasts and both groups have albums on the commercial Gothic Records & Naxos labels.
Knapp received the Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from Rice University, and he holds a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University. In demand as a voice pedagogue, clinician, and conductor, Dr. Knapp has been invited to give workshops, masterclasses and participated in festivals across the country. He has served as guest lecturer of voice pedagogy as well as guest lecturer of church music at Rice University. Dr. Knapp served on the music faculties of Sam Houston State University, Kenyon College, Rice University, and the Columbus School for Girls (Bexley, OH). As a baritone soloist he has performed extensively in opera, oratorio, and recitals.
The Rev’d Allen M. Junek (pronounced “you-nick”) is the Associate Rector here at Palmer.
Allen is a ninth-generation Texan and joined Palmer staff in 2025 from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, where he served as Curate. Allen's primary responsibilities at Palmer include overseeing pastoral care and assisting the Rector in administration and worship. He is passionate about worship, evangelism, and the intersection of faith and public life.
After studying philosophy and classics at Texas A&M University, Allen went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and a graduate diploma from Bexley Seabury Seminary. While in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Allen discovered the Episcopal Church and joined the staff at the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle in Dallas before relocating to Austin to complete his final year of studies at Seminary of the Southwest. While at Southwest, Allen served as the lay chaplain for the Episcopal Student Center at the University of Texas.
When he’s not at church, Allen can likely be found scoping out a new coffee shop, reading a book at the gym, or testing out a new recipe. He and husband, Alex, enjoy traveling and taking long walks with their flat-coat retriever, Benji.