Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public
speaker. An enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, she writes and
teaches at the intersections of spirituality and identity for audiences
committed to truth-telling and healing.
Her newest books areS pring’s Miracles: An Indigenous Celebration of
Nature (March 2025), the latest title in her Four Seasons children’s series
with Convergent/Random House, andE verything Is a Story ( adult
nonfiction, October 2025), which continues her exploration of spirituality,
identity, and belonging.
Previous titles include Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering
God (Georgia Author of the Year, Religion, 2020L);i ving Resistance: An
Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day (2023); and the
earlier books in the Four Seasons series—Winter’s Gifts: An Indigenous
Celebration of Nature (2023) and ˆ (2024).
As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin engages topics such as colonialism in
faith communities and the importance of interfaith relationships. She has
spoken at conferences and institutions across the United States, from the
Aspen Climate Conference to the Chautauqua Institution, and she
regularly leads workshops, retreats, lectures, and keynotes for universities,
churches, and community organizations.
Her writing has appeared in Sojourners, Religion News Service, On Being,
SELF Magazine, Oprah Daily, and more. Her work has been featured on
CBS and in USA Today, and she also writes at The Liminality Journal.
Kaitlin lives near Philadelphia with her partner, two kids, and two dogs.
Noted for her “directorial command” and “technical expertise,” GRAMMY-nominated conductor Beth Willer is recognized as a bold, 21st-century artist with her finger on the pulse of the vocal ensemble art. Her commitment to expanding and deepening the repertoire for vocal ensembles through creative collaboration and culturally relevant programming can be seen in her work with professional and student ensembles alike. A champion of new music, Willer frequently collaborates with established and emerging composers, including significant projects with Kati Agócs, George Benjamin, Christopher Cerrone, James Kallembach, Shawn Kirchner, David Lang, Jessica Meyer, Kareem Roustom, and Julia Wolfe. In addition to her appointment as Director of Choral Studies at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Willer is the founder and Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Lorelei Ensemble.
Willer will present a lecture on Saturday afternoon and form a quartet of singers for the Saturday evening performance. Willer and singers will join the Plymouth Congregational Church Chancel Choir for the Sunday morning worship service.
Previous Word & Note Series:
The Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney
Dr. Wilda (Wil) Gafney is a scholar, pastor, preacher, author, and activist. She is the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Ft. Worth, TX, where she teaches masters and doctoral students in initial and advanced degree programs. Her work focuses on translation of the scriptures for congregations and lay readers, womanist and feminist biblical interpretation and, women who prophesied in ancient Israel and the ancient Afro-Asiatic world and, their reception in rabbinic literature. Her expertise includes archaeology, comparative ancient Near Eastern literature, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. She is the author of or editor of nine previous books.
Dr. Gafney, is also an Episcopal priest, ordained from the historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, PA, the first Episcopal church in the U.S. founded by and for African Americans in 1792. She is a former member of the Dorshei Derekh Reconstructionist Minyan of the Germantown Jewish Centre, in Philadelphia.
She is invited to speak regularly around the US and abroad, appears in print and on podcasts as well as other media including NPR, HBO and has consulted for The History Channel. She is currently working on her first trade book. https://www.wilgafney.com/
“Hailed as “Kansas City’s Gem of a Quartet” by the Kansas City Star, the ensemble consists of prize winning musicians from around the world.”
The Opus 76 Quartet
The Opus 76 Quartet pursues several artistic goals that reflect our commitment to both tradition and innovation in classical music. We aim to bring an expressive, energetic and dynamic interpretation to the string quartet repertoire, blending a deep respect for classical works with a passion for exploring contemporary settings.
“Our performances are designed to communicate a profound emotional resonance and a keen insight into the music we present. This dual focus allows us to connect with audiences on multiple levels, engaging both with the timeless aspects of classical music and the fresh perspectives and needs of modern society.”
