Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel & James Jr. Mckay.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
We discussed things we wanted to accomplish as a couple during our engagement. We were completing our undergraduate degrees, eager to finish school, enter the ministry and workforce, and begin our journey together. My fiance gazed at me earnestly across the table and revealed a poignant belief that he felt was divinely inspired for our path ahead: “Music is the door.”
Fast forward twenty-one years later, in 2017, we observed the impact of budget cuts in economically disadvantaged public school districts, resulting in the termination of arts and enrichment programs, which are vital to the development of students. After more than ten years of service in music education, after-school, and the enrichment programs of multiple facets of ministry, we took a leap of faith after researching instrumental music programs in similar markets.
We established Gateway Music Outreach (GMO), a 501c3 nonprofit in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. With the guiding principle that “Music is the door, Gateway Music Outreach (GMO) was founded to provide underserved audiences, especially youth, access to orchestral and classical training beyond removing barriers faced by our diverse students, like stereotypes about their interests and abilities, along with the cost of instrument rentals and private instruction. Our programmatic impact manifests within various community spheres, including as a performing arts entity, educational youth services provider, and a champion for diversity and equity in the arts. Students are at the center of GMO’s mission to open the doors of opportunity for youth’s personal, social, and educational advancement through Music.
As our primary constituency group, our budding musicians partner with our instructional staff to drive repertoire for performances, focus on community service performances, and serve as peer mentors for younger students. We are annually operating year-round programming for 125 K-12 students in the St. Louis metropolitan area through our Adopt-Musician-Program, School & Community Based Program, Early Learners Piano Lab, Saturday Session, GMO Community Youth Orchestra, Summer String Institute, and Jazz String Camp. In addition, we provide master classes, field experiences, and performance opportunities for our budding young musicians through our relationships with local artists and arts agencies. In February 2024, we proudly launched an exciting pilot string program in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, joining forces with a faith-driven community outreach group to further extend our reach and impact.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the formative days of our community-based organization, we encountered significant financial hurdles. During this period, our ability to serve students was made possible by our fully volunteer-operated staff throughout the academic year, allowing all funds to be channeled directly into program implementation and summer camp activities. Our efforts received a substantial boost with a significant in-kind contribution of musical instruments from a local supplier and a considerable donation from a benefactor, which kickstarted our Adopt-Musician Program. This initiative has enabled GMO to broaden its financial base by forging partnerships and securing corporate grants. Moreover, GMOs experienced the far-reaching effects of the pandemic. When the shutdown was enacted, we were actively delivering weekly programs at five different locations, with four serving as sources of earned income that supported our overarching operating costs. Fortunately, our Music Director, James McKay, demonstrated remarkable adaptability and technological understanding, allowing us to transition to remote programming seamlessly. Thanks to this swift adaptation, we managed to sustain our offerings for most students at no charge. We also seized the opportunity to enhance our educational scope by introducing a ‘Making Musician’ workshop featuring industry professionals and a ‘Virtual Opera’ initiative. These enrichments have since evolved into an immersive in-person experience with the help of our community partnerships, continuing at one of our school locations as on-site programming resumed.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Co-Founder – President – Executive Director
Angel’s belief in God and driving conviction to impact the world through mentorship, education, and performing arts has always motivated her to seek professional and volunteer opportunities to serve through these vehicles. Angel’s parents recognized her attentiveness to the arts at an early age. Hence, they enrolled her in music lessons and created opportunities for her to participate in activities at school and church, which provided an outlet to develop and display her talents. It was an invitation to audition for a musical theater scholarship that first piqued her interest in college. However, Angel decided to remain in St. Louis and focus her academic studies in Communications at the collegiate level. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Webster University, Angel worked as a Summer Staff Assistant at the John Olin School of Business at the Washington University campus for the Inroads Pre-College Program. This three-year adventure ignited Angel’s love for youth-centered educational programming and the non-profit sector. So, after completing her undergraduate studies, Angel pursued a professional career in education and philanthropy. She has served over two decades at various schools and non-profit organizations in St. Louis. Angel’s passion for service motivated her to continue educational pursuits because she wanted to develop a program combining her love for youth-centered enrichment programming and music. While Angel was completing her graduate degree in non-profit management and leadership, her spouse urged her to research several national instrumental music programs and the challenges facing arts education programs in American public schools. As a result, Angel was inspired to create the program model for Gateway Music Outreach, piloted in 2017 with 30 students in the Jennings School District. Presently, the program serves numerous students in multiple school districts in the St. Louis region. Angel serves as Director of Corporate Fund Development for a local diverse talent MBA organization where she has been employed since 2016. Finally, she is an ordained minister, worship leader, and songwriter.
Co-Founder – Vice President – Music Director
If you ask James for his mantra, he will respond, “Music is the door.” A University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music graduate can attest to music’s transformative impact on his life as the youngest of two children born to a modest working-class family in Normandy, Missouri. James is a 2017 Teacher of the Year Honoree for Jennings School District, where he served as Director of Orchestras for 7 years. James was honored as the 2021 Arts Awards Arts Educator of the Year by the Arts Education Council. James credits his success to God and a series of music teachers who invested in his life as far back as the fourth grade.
Consequently, James has dedicated his life to creating doors of opportunities for youth through the founding of Gateway Music Outreach and his occupation as a certified K-12 Instrumental Music Educator for over two decades in various school districts in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Also, James has served as Director of Cameron Youth Chamber Orchestra, St. Louis, Missouri, string camp facilitator at New City School, St. Louis, Missouri, and double bass teacher at Webster Community Music School, Webster Groves, Missouri. He is also a classical and gospel music composer and arranger. James is a champion for collaboration. Accordingly, he is a member of the following organizations: the St. Louis Youth Symphony Task Force, the American String Teachers Association, and the Missouri Music Educators Association. Finally, as an African American orchestral educator and musician, James is committed to exposing diverse audiences to classical music by providing budding young musicians in underserved communities with affordable quality music instruction and opportunities to attend performances and receive master classes with prominent artists. Finally, in 2017, the couple released a gospel music project entitled The Love Affec, a compilation of songs written over their 21 years of marriage that capture their walk with God.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
Be open to building mentoring relationships with more than one individual. You may not be able to find an all-encompassing mentor. However, you can seek out successful individuals in targeted areas of your industry from which you can glean best practices and real-world experience that can catapult you. Be open to one-in-person relationships with individuals and training or master-class encounters with subject matter experts. Even books or podcasts by experts can provide you with tools for success. Position yourself as a lifelong learner, and you will stay at the top of your game. Instructors have proven to be great allies.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gatewaymusicoutreach.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatewaymusicoutreach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatewaymusicoutreach/
- Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/@gatewaymusicoutreach
