Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Boudreault.
Hi Mary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a professional orchestral musician, and when my family and I moved to Oak Ridge in 2019, I became involved as a volunteer in local music programs, including those at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church. After spending decades performing music as a highly structured profession, it was refreshing to simply sing and play—to rediscover the true meaning of the word “play!” In those moments, I found myself feeling more connected to other people, and honestly, to myself, than I had in a very long time. For years, many in the classical music industry have talked about making music more accessible and community-centered. Yet despite the best intentions, those goals can be difficult to achieve en masse. What I experienced in Oak Ridge wasn’t a new marketing strategy or concert format. It was the transformative power of participation—people making music together for the sheer joy of creating and sharing with one another.
It became clear that many others were longing for that same kind of connection and creative belonging. Through conversations with families and neighbors in the community, a common theme was a desire for spaces where people could slow down, build relationships, express themselves creatively, and simply experience joy together. In a world where so many people feel disconnected or overscheduled, the need for meaningful community felt very real. ORAC grew out of listening to those needs and responding with a space where children and adults alike could create, connect, and live more fully and abundantly through the arts.
That vision became the Oak Ridge Arts Collective. ORAC was founded on the belief that the arts are about so much more than performance or technical skill. Music, movement, visual art, and creative play help us connect with ourselves, with one another, and with the fullness of life. Through the arts, we learn to listen, collaborate, communicate, take risks, and celebrate the unique gifts within our community.
We’ve worked intentionally to build a space where people of all ages can grow together. Whether it’s a child picking up an instrument for the first time, friends gathering in drum circles or ukulele jams, students performing in the community, or adults rediscovering creativity they thought they had lost, ORAC is about connection.
At the heart of it all, we want every person who walks through our doors to feel welcome, inspired, and connected – because we believe the arts have the power to combat isolation and foster wholeness.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges has been building a community-centered arts organization from the ground up in a world where so many people are stretched thin and overscheduled. We’ve intentionally worked to create high-quality, relationship-driven programming with professional teaching artists while still keeping it accessible and financially approachable for families who want the arts to be a meaningful part of their everyday lives. As a small and growing organization, there’s always a balance between dreaming big and navigating practical realities like space, staffing, funding, and building community awareness.
We’ve been impressed with Oak Ridge Arts Collective, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As Executive Director of the Oak Ridge Arts Collective, my role centers on building community through the arts. I oversee programming, outreach, partnerships, marketing, and ORAC’s overall vision and growth, while also working closely with our teaching artists and families to create a welcoming, relationship-centered environment. I am fortunate to work alongside a phenomenal Board of Directors whose members bring their own professional expertise, passion, and commitment to advancing ORAC’s mission.
I continue to teach a small number of students myself, which is important to me because it keeps me directly connected to the heart of the work. Since launching ORAC in January 2026, I’ve spent time visiting local schools, building relationships with music educators, and forming new connections with artists and wellness practitioners throughout the community. Those conversations have helped shape a growing variety of programs, from private music instruction and summer enrichment camps to community offerings like yoga. A big part of my role is listening to families, students, educators, and community members, then creating meaningful opportunities for creativity and growth.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that has been inspiring has been the incredible caliber of artists and educators who have gathered around ORAC. Our teaching artists are not only deeply accomplished professionally, but are also genuinely invested in relationships and helping people grow. Take ORAC Creative Director Ken Brown, for example. Ken is a brilliant guitarist, composer, visual artist, and writer who has published books on integrative guitar teaching and helping students, particularly students with special needs, reach their fullest potential through a deeper understanding of guitar, music, and themselves.
This spring, Ken hosted our first “Guitar On the Lawn” jam, where students ranging in age from 7 to 77 performed in real rock band settings. The community support was phenomenal, becoming a true core memory for many students, especially those performing publicly for the first time, in a safe and encouraging environment. Moments like that are exactly what ORAC is all about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oakridgeartscollective.com
- Instagram: oakridge_arts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585712595931
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-boudreault-207826411/
