Music has always been my home.
My mom loves to tell the story of how I used to wake up singing in my crib, long before I could speak in full sentences. From the moment I could make sound, I was drawn to the strange magic of music—the way it moves through the body and connects people across time, culture, and experience.
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where choir became my refuge throughout childhood. It was the first place I felt the power of collaboration and creative expression. Singing gave me a sense of belonging in a world that often felt unkind.
My path through music education was complicated.
I’m deeply grateful for the rigorous training that shaped me into a professional performer, but I also witnessed how often tradition in classical music is prioritized over inclusivity and curiosity. Many artists leave these institutions with extraordinary skill—and deep self-doubt.
That contradiction changed the trajectory of my work.
As a performer, teacher, and writer, I’m committed to helping build music spaces that are both excellent and humane. Creativity is not a luxury reserved for the elite—it’s something deeply human. When artistic spaces become gatekept by rigid traditions or narrow ideas about who belongs, the art itself suffers.
My work lives at the intersection of performance, education, and cultural conversation.
I perform operatic and concert repertoire with ensembles and companies, teach private voice students online, and write about music, creativity, and artistic life through my blog and podcast, Music on Mushrooms. Across all of these spaces, my goal is the same: to invite artists to engage their craft with curiosity, integrity, and courage.
I also hold certification as a trauma-informed coach, which informs the way I approach teaching and community building. Artists deserve learning environments that challenge them without diminishing their humanity.
At the center of everything I do is a simple belief:
Music should be a source of connection, discovery, and meaning.
And the spaces where we make it should reflect that.
EXPLORE MY WORK
PERFORMANCE
Mary performs as a classical mezzo-soprano and multi-genre vocalist in opera, concert, and collaborative projects. Her work centers expressive storytelling and the emotional depth of the human voice.
VOICE LESSONS
Through Mary Kray Studios, Mary offers private online voice lessons for beginner and intermediate singers. Her teaching blends strong vocal technique with a supportive approach that helps students develop confidence, artistry, and a healthy relationship with their voice.
PODCAST & BLOG
Mary’s podcast and writing explores music, creativity, and the inner world of artists. Through essays and reflections, she examines artistic authenticity, creative growth, and building more compassionate music spaces.