ABOUT
Our Mission
New Voices New Orleans (NVNO) engages singers throughout the city’s public schools in dynamic performances that unlock creativity, embolden self-expression, and empower civic voice. Since 2021, NVNO has prioritized movement training and storytelling within vocal music education, fostering literacy in music and command in performance. Through our innovative approach, singers become culture-bearers for New Orleans, deeply rooted in intentional community.
Our Vision
Cultural equity for young singers in New Orleans. NVNO envisions accessible, high-quality vocal music education for all students in New Orleans public schools. We strive to inspire creativity, nurture self-expression, and build a strong sense of community among our singers. By connecting our students with local artists and relevant narratives, we aim to develop the whole artist, cultivating not only their musical talents but also their leadership and communication skills.
Our Values
Creativity — we hold the power to imagine and transform our world.
Expression — we share our voices generously.
Belonging — we nurture and reflect the city of New Orleans in body, mind, and spirit.
Empathy — we seek to understand.
Key Staff
Trey Pratt - Founder & Director
Trey Pratt is a conductor, voice teacher, and administrator based in New Orleans, LA. Committed to creativity, expression, and community, Trey officially founded New Voices New Orleans (NVNO) in 2023, after two years of successful pilot programs funded by 4.0 Schools, Ripple Effect Nola, and Mondo Bizarro. Trey has held positions at KIPP Central City Primary (Music Teacher), Boston Children’s Chorus (Conductor and Manager of Educational Programs), Tulane University (Lecturer), Boston University (Lecturer), Endicott College (Instructor of Voice), JourneySongs Hospice Choir (Music Director), and United Parish in Brookline (Assistant Director of Music). Trey has served as Vice President of Choristers Guild Boston and Service Choir R&R Chair of MassACDA. He maintains membership in American Choral Directors Association, Louisiana Music Educators Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. A native of Dallas, TX, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music (voice) from Southern Methodist University and a Masters of Sacred Music (choral conducting) from Boston University. Recent training includes the Civic Leadership Academy through the Mayor’s Office of the City of New Orleans, META Fellowship with Mass Cultural Council, the Certificate in Responsive Pedagogy at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Teaching Fellowship with Ripple Effect Nola. In 2024/25, we will participate in the Katz-Phillips Leadership Development Program through the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Executive Director Intensive through the Greater New Orleans Foundation. .
Krystal Holmes - Principal Choreographer
Krystal Holmes is a 3rd year Dance Enrichment Teacher at KIPP Central City Primary. Dancing since she was 5 years old, Krystal has trained in Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, African, Contemporary, Horton, and Breakdancing. Krystal danced for “FAME” legend Debbie Allen in 4 productions in Baton Rouge from 2010-2013. From there, she went on to dance in the Super Bowl 50 with Beyoncé in the Halftime Show. Krystal competed as a gold star dance team member at her alma mater, Xavier University.
Olga Brockett - Pianist
Olga Brockett graduated from Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music with a master’s degree in Choral conducting and has directed multiple intergenerational choral groups both Russia and the United States. Olga has enjoyed being a part of the NOLA classical musicians community since 2015. She maintains a large private piano/voice studio, works as a pianist at Loyola and Xavier Universities, and performs as a collaborative pianist with opera singers, instrumentalists and choirs. She was the Director of Voices of New Orleans Choir, a large community choir, from 2018 to 2023 and serves as an organist at St. Charles Ave. Baptist Church.
Abigail Rosero - Teaching Assistant
Abigail Rosero is an Ecuadorian Opera singer with nearly 18 years of musical career and teaching experience; she is currently pursuing an MFA in vocal performance at Tulane University, where she is the Newcomb Choir Teaching Assistant. Abigail is an active Teaching Artist for Upturn Arts and Music Teacher at Homer Plessy Community School in Treme. Abigail is firmly committed to student-centered learning and flexible instruction that engages and challenges every student to explore their artistic side. As an experienced and enthusiastic performer and teacher, she believes in creating a positive, empowering, and inclusive classroom environment through creativity and collaboration.
Board of Directors
Korbin Johnson, President (2023-Present)
Korbin is the Principal at KIPP Central City Primary, an NVNO Parent, and a Founding Member of NVNO’s Board of Directors.
Joey Algier, Vice-President (2023-Present)
Joey is the Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator for The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans, and a Founding Member of NVNO’s Board of Directors.
Sierra Blanchard, Secretary (2023-Present)
Sierra is the Assistant Director of the Center for Student Involvement, and a Founding Member of NVNO’s Board of Directors.
Spencer Henderson, Treasurer (2023-Present)
Spencer is the Director of Research at Aequitas Investment Advisors, LLC, and a Founding Member of NVNO’s Board of Directors.
Yulia Houghtaling, Director & Registered Agent (2023-Present)
Yulia is an Attorney at Gauthier Murphy & Houghtaling LLC, and a Founding Member of NVNO’s Board of Directors.
Rebecca Wright, Director (2023-Present)
Rebecca is the General Manager at Ruby Slipper, an NVNO Parent, and a Founding Member of NVNO’s Board of Directors.