Help the Heart Behind a Thousand Voices

Help Maria Williams-Kennedy Make Her Home Accessible

Maria Williams-Kennedy has spent her life bringing beauty into the world through music. A two-time Metropolitan Opera National Finalist (a distinction no one else from North Dakota has ever achieved), she performed on stages across the country before returning home to raise her daughter in Grand Forks—a place full of love, safety, and community that had always felt like home.

Maria has given so much—as a performer, a teacher, and a mentor. She was the vocal coordinator for the Summer Performing Arts (SPA) program in Grand Forks for many years. She also taught at UND, NDSU, and most joyfully at St. Mary’s Elementary, where she introduced young children to the magic of opera.

But now, Maria is facing the most difficult chapter of her life.

She has been diagnosed with a rare, terminal autoimmune disorder called autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, which severely damages the body’s nerve communication systems. She suffers from intense pain, full-body weakness, and has now lost her mobility. After a recent leg break, she learned from fire marshals that her current living situation—stuck in an inaccessible upstairs room without windows—is not only unsafe, but unlawful.

Maria is currently receiving chemotherapy through the cancer center, regular pain management through palliative care, and makes occasional trips to the Mayo Clinic for monitoring of her condition. However, her current living situation makes attending these vital appointments extremely difficult—sometimes impossible—putting her health at even greater risk.

Maria needs urgent help.

We are raising funds to make her home accessible so she can live with dignity and comfort. This includes:

A hospital-style adjustable bed and mattress (king-sized)

Bedding, rug, lamps, and a nightstand

A stair chair lift for safe movement between floors

An electric chair lift for independent mobility within the home

These essential items are not covered by insurance, but they will make an immediate and lasting impact on Maria’s quality of life.

Maria has given her whole heart to others—through music, education, and love. Now it’s our turn to give back. She is deeply humble and reluctant to ask, but the urgency of her condition leaves no time to wait.

Every donation, large or small, will help restore hope and safety to someone who has brought both to so many.

Thank you for your generosity!

To close, here’s what a few of Maria’s students and colleagues have to say about the impact she has made in their lives:

"I still remember being told, “If you don't already have a voice professor, one will be assigned to you.” Those words and the name on my schedule sent me to Costanza Cuccaro’s door.

“Hello, I’m one of your new students!” I said.

Cuccaro replied, “Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry. I hate this system. My studio is already full, as are all the others by now. My name is just a placeholder. They really should warn freshmen better… You might want to try Maria Williams. She’s an AI and might still have room.”

As sheer panic set in, I found my way to Maria’s room and gave my little spiel—much less confident and cheerful this time. I honestly don’t remember exactly what I sang or our very first words, but I’ll never forget the wave of relief when she smiled and said, “I would be happy to have you in my studio.”

From that first lesson on, we just clicked. Maria was supportive, encouraging, and genuinely funny. She always offered great technical advice and never once made me feel discouraged or down about my abilities. Maria was a balm for my soul and an anchor during my time as a small fish in the giant pond of the music school.

I will forever be grateful for my time studying with her—and for our continued friendship to this day." - Judy King Lam

"I have always been deeply impressed by Maria as a teacher. She is fully committed to her students, and she has the rare skill to work effectively with individuals at every level of ability. She made each of her students feel successful as they developed their vocal technique—and many of them have gone on to become successful teachers and performers themselves. That is a true testament to Maria’s talent and dedication as an educator.

But more importantly, Maria inspired her students to become the best versions of themselves. She expected them to value the hard work required to grow as artists. She instilled in them a deep respect for the craft of singing. And she exemplified what it means to be an empathetic, supportive human being.

Maria gave the gift of herself to a multitude of singers. Her students benefited from her professionalism, her musicianship, and above all, her humanity. She set the bar high—and gave unwavering support along the way.

Maria has a heart of gold, and we are truly fortunate to know her and to witness the fruits of her labor in the lives and successes of her students." - Mike Weber

"From 1989 to 2020, I taught vocal music in the Grand Forks Public Schools. I also served as the Program Director of the Summer Performing Arts Company (SPA) and the Coordinator of Music for GFPS.

Over the course of those years—directing musicals during the school year and producing musicals each summer—a large number of high school students studied in Maria Williams-Kennedy’s studio, The Bel Canto Studio. During the academic year, when students were immersed in a more formal choral and vocal curriculum, those same students would study privately with Maria.

What did that mean?

It meant that musically, we could do anything we wanted to do.

Need challenging solos? Not an issue. Maria’s students were prepared.

Need a lead who could belt with proper technique? (Think of the first time you heard “Tomorrow” from Annie—a song that can harm young voices if not done correctly.) Maria had been coaching singers to do it safely and beautifully for decades.

The Bel Canto Studio also presented regular vocal recitals, and seniors were encouraged to present full senior recitals. Both of our sons did them—experiences that made their college junior and senior recitals much easier. Today, they are both singing professionally in Europe and would credit Maria for the rock-solid vocal foundation they built under her guidance.

Maria never let finances be a barrier. Students who wanted lessons but couldn’t afford them were supported with scholarships—either directly from Maria or from supporters of her studio. She loved every student with the core of her being, but she also demanded excellence. If you weren’t pushing your potential, she was relentless. (Ask any of her former students and they’ll tell you—with a smile—how she held them to account.)

As Head of Voice for the Summer Performing Arts Company, Maria provided lessons to hundreds of students, hiring and mentoring the voice staff and bringing in professional feedback from singers around the world. Her students are now literally all over the globe, pursuing the passion she helped to cultivate.

Maria was an absolute cornerstone of our most memorable productions, concerts, solo performances, and the vibrant community of alumni performers we are so proud of today." - Brad Sherwood

"Maria supported us in every production we ever worked on. She not only coached her students for their auditions, but also walked with them every step of the way—coaching them through the roles themselves.

Because of her passion, guidance, and belief in her students, we were able to stage beautiful productions with incredibly challenging musical scores. She wanted her students to have rich, transformative experiences, so we chose the tough shows. And they rose to the challenge—because she believed in excellence at all costs.

Maria constantly encouraged her students to become the very best version of themselves, both on and off the stage. Her involvement made all the difference—not just in their performances, but in their confidence, work ethic, and sense of self-worth.

Many people owe Maria a huge debt of gratitude. I know I do." - Connie Sherwood

" Bel canto and high school choir /theatre was my refuge and I attribute any and all my success to having that as my foundation. We were so blessed to have all the teachers we had, especially Maria." Teran Germscheid

"It’s incredibly hard for me to put into words what Maria means to me. She was always more than a vocal coach. She was my therapist, my mentor, my friend.

In the years after high school, my life took some unexpected turns. I found myself in dark places, struggling through addiction and incarceration. But even then—I was never alone. Maria never faltered in her support. She always told me she had faith in me, that she believed I would one day do something meaningful.

She never gave up on me. She never doubted that I would rise above my circumstances. And I know, without question, that I wouldn’t be where I am today—healthy, thriving, and giving back—if it weren’t for the love, belief, and presence of my guardian angel: Maria Williams-Kennedy." - Matthew Hippen