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.
Mary was assigned to serve at Palmer as Deacon beginning in August 2025. She graduated from the Iona School of Ministry and was ordained in June 2015. Before coming to Palmer she served at Ascension; St Andrews in Pearland and San Romero. She graduated from University of Missouri-St Louis with a BA in English Literature Summa Cum Laude. She has been married to her husband Max for over 55 years, and they have three grown children. For over 45 years she managed her husband’s medical office and enjoyed a rich life of volunteering. She recently retired from working with Houston ReVision for 16 years working with gang affected and adjudicated youth specializing in programing with teen females in lockdown facilities as well as Jubilee Ministries with incarcerated adult women. She loves to needlepoint, quilt and most things related to needles as well as organizing, writing and cooking.